Question
QUESTION: Hello, I sprained my ankle in January skateboarding. Because of this, I was in a cast for a month, then a walking boot for a month. It seemed almost back to normal until I resprained it in August. Now it is October and my ankle seems to have stopped healing. It looks slightly bruised and slightly swollen when I compare it to my other ankle. Is there anything I can do to help it heal faster? Is walking on it a bad thing? Will icing it prove to be beneficial?

Thanks for your time,
Joey

ANSWER: This Chicago, South Loop & Elmhurst Podiatrist of AnklenfootCenters.com says.......

Dear Joey,

Assuming that the injury is only a sprain and not more serious, then healing time should be around 6-8 weeks (no longer than 12 weeks)
For now try PRICE
Protect-Wear an ankle brace around the ankle and limit the movements that aggravate it.
Rest-Speaks for itself-perhaps the weekend when you are off-rest it.
Ice- Will help if the ankle is painful and a little with the swelling.  
Compress-Ace wrap  or ankle sleeve
Elevate-Will help if the ankle throbs or swells at the end of the day.
Go to our website store at AnkleNFoot.com for examples of wraps, sleeves or supports for your ankle-or temporary orthotics before you see a podiatrist
See your local podiatrist who usually can diagnose and take care of the same visit.
Hope This Helps!
   and
Good Luck!
The podiatrists of AnkleNFootCenters.com are specialists in foot & ankle pain.
We are located in Chicago & Elmhurst

Dr George Tsatsos & Svetlana Zats
Podiatrist Chicago 60618 & Elmhurst 60126 Podiatrists
Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery & Orthopedics
New South Loop Location-Chicago 60661
AnkleNFoot.com
Runnersdoc.com
BabyFootDoc.com

DISCLAIMER:
This information is offered as free advice and as general information. It may not be applicable to the specific questioner and his/her problem.  It is not based on actual knowledge of the questioner or his/her medical history and it cannot and should not be relied upon as definitive medical opinion or advice.  Reliable medical opinion and advice can only be obtained through hands-on physical contact and exam of the patient to establish an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.  No doctor/patient relationship is created or established here and may not be inferred through answers on this site.  The questioner and other readers must consult his/her own doctor before proceeding or implementing any suggestions contained within this document and answers on this site.  The questioner is only to act upon his/her own doctor抯 orders and recommendations. By reading this posting which follows, the reader fully understands and confirms that he/she holds harmless this writer. If this is not fully agreeable to you, the reader, and/or you have not attained the age of 18 years, you hereby are advised to read no further.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the quick reply, and yeah that does help. One more question though.. If I am wearing an ankle brace, can walking affect the healing of the ankle in any negative way?
Thanks again,
Joey

Answer
This Chicago, South Loop & Elmhurst Podiatrist of AnklenfootCenters.com says.......

Dear Joey,

The ankle brace will help the healing. As long as you are also pain free in the brace. Pain indicates repeat damage to the ligaments.
At this point if it doesn't hurt try alternating hot and cold packs-5 minutes each and finish with cold. Buckets with water is OK also
Hope This Helps!
  and
Good Luck Again!
The podiatrists of AnkleNFootCenters.com are specialists in foot & ankle pain.
We are located in Chicago & Elmhurst

Dr George Tsatsos & Svetlana Zats
Podiatrist Chicago 60618 & Elmhurst 60126 Podiatrists
Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery & Orthopedics
New South Loop Location-Chicago 60661
AnkleNFoot.com
Runnersdoc.com
BabyFootDoc.com

DISCLAIMER:
This information is offered as free advice and as general information. It may not be applicable to the specific questioner and his/her problem.  It is not based on actual knowledge of the questioner or his/her medical history and it cannot and should not be relied upon as definitive medical opinion or advice.  Reliable medical opinion and advice can only be obtained through hands-on physical contact and exam of the patient to establish an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.  No doctor/patient relationship is created or established here and may not be inferred through answers on this site.  The questioner and other readers must consult his/her own doctor before proceeding or implementing any suggestions contained within this document and answers on this site.  The questioner is only to act upon his/her own doctor抯 orders and recommendations. By reading this posting which follows, the reader fully understands and confirms that he/she holds harmless this writer. If this is not fully agreeable to you, the reader, and/or you have not attained the age of 18 years, you hereby are advised to read no further.