Question
8 weeks ago I fell off my porch (approximately 2 feet high).  I thought that it was broken b/c I heard it crack and it hurt & swelled immediately.  I went to the ER and the x-ray came back normal so they told me it was a sprain.  I wore a walking cast for 1.5 weeks but stopped wearing it because I could walk without much pain.  But now, 8 weeks later, it continues to swell a lot (I can only wear one of my pairs of shoes because of the swelling).  My ankle's circumference is 1 inch bigger on my sprained ankle than my normal ankle.  I am in PT right now (2 weeks into it) and have pain doing those exercises but it's not terrible.  I had a repeat x-ray that showed not broken bones.

My question - what would cause the ankle (and entire foot) to swell for so long?  Is there anything else I should be doing?

Answer
Ashleigh,
Excellent message and question.  Since you've had a repeat x-ray that has shown no breaks, I believe PT is the best answer.  At this late stage, considering you're still in pain, you also want to have had an MRI to check the soft tissues.  Whenever you sprain your ankle as you have, there is always damage to the soft tissue.  You should assess that damage, but realize it continues to contribute to the swelling.
All the best,
Andrew Schneider, DPM

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