Have I Broken My Ankle?

[davejonesbkk]

About 6 weeks ago I twisted my ankle quite badly, it was wet after raining and I 'had a few to drink' so to speak so I dont full recall it happening.

The next day it was agony, all of right ankle and foot horribly swollen, could barely put any pressure on it and walking was quite difficult.

Over the next week or so the swelling gradually went down, I was still limping quite badly, this went on for around 3 weeks, gradually getting better and better. There were a few setbacks though, on occasion I would go out on fri or sat night and obviously after a few drinks I would not feel the pain so much and start stomping around again as I usually do so the next morning it would be sore but that would usually clear up after a few days.

What was strange though was that I could grab my ankle and apply a lot of pressure etc with no pain at all. It also seemed to hurt at night when I was lying on my sofa, but not when I was sat at my computer during the day.

After around 5 weeks (last week) it was pretty much healed and I was walking normally. However I again had 2 'nights out' in a row over the weekend that involved me stood up all night and walking round to many places. The next day I had pain again but this time it seemed to be on the underside of my foot and all along it, only hurting when I walk though.

Its now Friday so been like this 5 days, could I have possibly broken or fractured my ankle and been walking round with it like this all this time? :/

[bunnaag]

It's kind of stupid for the Thai government to keep calling these things "evacuation" orders...

Where exactly are people living in those areas supposed to go? There's no way on earth to "evacuate" Bangkok.

Last I read, there were something like 12,000 people in various government shelters... compared to a massively larger number whose homes have been and are flooded out.

Some people have options, like going to a hotel or to stay with relatives upcountry hopefully in some non-flooded area.. But a lot of ordinary Thais have nowhere to go except to stay in their flooded homes, hopefully with an upstairs level.

It's really a shame. So many people came back to the lower north east, having nothing. Some of them are trying to escape reality by drinking Lao Khao.....

an X ray would be helpful and cheap.

[bunnaag]

Get an X ray it is not expensive

[davejonesbkk]

Get an X ray it is not expensive

Thanks, I live upper sukumwit area, near soi 101, do you know what the nearest hospital is?

[bunnaag]

Get an X ray it is not expensive

Thanks, I live upper sukumwit area, near soi 101, do you know what the nearest hospital is?

there is a hospital,as far as I can remember,close to the corner of Suk 103.

[ScouseTommy]

Get an X ray it is not expensive

Thanks, I live upper sukumwit area, near soi 101, do you know what the nearest hospital is?

there is a hospital,as far as I can remember,close to the corner of Suk 103.

Just shoot upto camillian in thong lor mate, bts udomsuk to thong lor then a bike!!!

[grumpyoldman]

Used to bugger up my ankles quite frequently as an athlete in my younger days.

You need to sink that in a bucket of ice, regularly. When sitting and watching TV, sink it for 20 mins.

Also, get yourself an Ace wrap (two times around base of foot then fairly tightly around ankle) or ready made ankle support and wear that while on the drinking expeditions.

Sounds to me like a nasty sprain, and it won't get better if you keep spraining it while getting a good buzz on.

X-rays, sure, but were it broken (from experience) your ankle would be the size of a softball and purple.

[wandrinstar]

Sounds like Gout to me..

[ludditeman]

If it were broken (unlikely) already too late for x-rays, just a waste of money now.

Bones need to be stabilized fairly quickly (within 48hrs) after a break to do any good at all.

Just keep your weight off it, or get a stick for a few months.

(and grumpys elastic bandage suggestion)

Edited November 5, 2011 by ludditeman

[kurnell]

Sounds like Gout to me..

I thought gout was in the toes?

[thaipod]

Gout is normally at the great toe joint ( 1st MTJ ) But sounds like a sprain and now developing planta faciitis , best to keep icing and voltaren cream to reduce inflammation and of course good shoes with good support,.

Maybe custom foot supports to reduce further injuries.

[harrry]

Doctors here are cheap and all can handle this kind of thing. Go to a clinic get an x-ray if he thinks you should and then decide whether or not you want to follow the advice regarding medications. For this language skill is not a problem.

Edited November 5, 2011 by harrry

[wandrinstar]

Gout is normally at the great toe joint ( 1st MTJ ) But sounds like a sprain and now developing planta faciitis , best to keep icing and voltaren cream to reduce inflammation and of course good shoes with good support,.

Maybe custom foot supports to reduce further injuries.

If you know nothing Thaipod ,just Shut Up..You can get it in your Hands or any joint. Its Uric Acid leaving Crystals at a weak spot. He said he Drinks so thats the most likely cause.Never dismiss anything.

[grumpyoldman]

and of course good shoes with good support,.

Maybe custom foot supports to reduce further injuries.

These are good suggestions.

OP may want to look at some high top basketball shoes. Maybe not the most stylish, but will add support and make for a quick getaway if surrounded by katoeys.

[Sheryl]

It does not sound in the least like gout.

A hairline fracture is not impossible -and as many have said the first step is to get an Xray.

if the Xray is clear then indeed a "sprain" but need to understand that there are different degrees of "sprain" and the recovery time for second and third degree sprains can be 8 and 12 weeks respectively.

It is also possible that the foot pain is something new unrelated to the ankle injury.

There is no substitute for seeing an orthopedic specialist. Not sure why the hesitation to do so....?

[Payboy]

Yep, sounds like a hairline fracture alright. With a clean fracture, you wouldn't be able to stand let alone limp around. Get an x-ray.

[davejonesbkk]

oops forgot about this thread, went to see a doc that day, he twisted it in all sorts of directions, no pain at all, apart from when he applied pressue on it one way and then it hurt, he said no need for an x-ray as it was the ligament, been like that for so long due to me walking on it so much. Gave me an ankle support sock and much better for days already. Gonna try running again next week!

[davejonesbkk]

Umm ok, I have been wearing this ankle support all day everyday since my last post, it still hurts and feels very weird especially when I take it off at night

what should I do?

[FBN]

Umm ok, I have been wearing this ankle support all day everyday since my last post, it still hurts and feels very weird especially when I take it off at night

what should I do?

Difficult to guess as you did not indicate which ligament was injured but, generally, if the ligament tear was substantial, healing never restores the ligament to its original shape and form. This results in an unstable ankle joint which makes it prone to chronic and repeated injury. This may explain the "weird" feeling when the splint is off.

Injuries of the plantar ligament may result in a chronic inflammation as well and my need an arch support for walking.

Consult with a good orthopedic surgeon is indicated now; perhaps "stress" X-rays of the ankle will help to diagnose the instability if any.

[davejonesbkk]

I will go to get this looked at tomorrow, can anyone recommend somewhere? Should I go to a hospital or seek out a physio therapist?

Somewhere near upper sukumuwit would be best for me. I went to the sukumwit hospital near Ekamai last time when I was told to wear the support but I wasnt too impressed by the doc there at all.

[Sheryl]

Suggest one of these docs, both at Bumrungrad;

Name: Dr. Bavornrit Chuckpaiwong

Specialty: Orthopaedics (Bone) - Orthopaedics (Bone), Sport Injuries

Orthopaedics (Bone) - Orthopaedics (Bone), Foot & Ankle Surgery

Language Spoken: Spoken: English, Thai

Qualifications: Medical School:

- M.D., Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand, 1998

Board Certifications:

- Diploma of The Thai Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, 2002

- Diploma of The Thai Board of Family Medicine, 2003

Fellowships:

- Foot and Ankle, Havard University, USA, 2005

- Foot and Ankle, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA, 2007

Special Clinical Trainings:

- Trauma & Reconstruction, Catania University, Italy

Special Clinical Interests:

- Foot and Ankle Surgery

- Sports Injury Day Time Location Sat 13:00 - 17:00 NS 12A (Orthop/Physical Med)

OR

Name: Dr. Thanut Valleenukul

Specialty: Spine Specialists - Spine Specialists, Spine Surgery

Orthopaedics (Bone)

Orthopaedics (Bone) - Orthopaedics (Bone), Spine

Orthopaedics (Bone) - Orthopaedics (Bone), Foot & Ankle Surgery

Language Spoken: Spoken: English, Thai

Qualifications: Medical School:

- M.D., Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand, 1992

Board Certifications:

- Diploma of The Thai Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, 1999

Fellowships:

- Spine Surgery, Saint John's Hosptal, Sanata Monica, California, USA, 2001

- Pediatric Orthpaedics and Spinal Deformity, University of Iowa Health Care, USA, 2002-2003

- Foot and Ankle Surgery, University of Iowa Health Care, USA, 2003

Special Clinical Trainings:

- Foot and Ankle, Spine, Pediatric Orthopaedics

Membership of North American Spine Society

Membership of American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society Day Time Location Tue 13:00 - 20:00 NS 12A (Orthop/Physical Med) Wed 08:00 - 12:00 NS 12A (Orthop/Physical Med) Thu 17:00 - 20:00 NS 12B (Spine Institute) Fri 17:00 - 19:30 NS 12A (Orthop/Physical Med) Sat 17:00 - 20:00 NS 12B (Spine Institute) Sun 15:00 - 17:00 NS 12A (Orthop/Physical Med)

[monty1412]

Sounds like Gout to me..

I thought gout was in the toes?

think again.. any joint inclusing neck can be site for gout.. I've had it in shoulder and knees .. fear it worse than the ex wife's wrath