Question
Hello. I injured my ankle exactly one week ago today. Long story short, I was hiking and my foot slipped off of a rock, landed on my ankle with inverted foot. It was extremely painful. However, I had a 4 mile hike to get back out of the woods. After a mile of walking the ankle felt a little better, but was extremely weak with sharp pain if pressure was put on it towards the outside. Although it seemed really bad when it happened, the pain never kept me from walking. I was able to walk with barely even a limp, so long as I was careful not to lean toward the very weak injured side. In the days following, my ankle pain quickly got better and I had some moderate swelling and mild bruising. I have no medical insurance currently due to a job change, so I guessed I had a grade 1 sprain. The ankle has consistently gotten better with each day and I can currently (only a week later) walk perfectly fine with no limp whatsoever and no pain. However, something feels odd. It is still quite tender when I press around the bottom and front of (toe side) the ankle bone, and just today I noticed something different. On my non injured ankle, when I extend my toes upward, I feel a flexing just below and anterior to the ankle bone. But on the injured ankle, when I perform the same toe movements, I barely feel any flex at all. It almost feels as if though all or part of the inferior extensor retinaculum is missing - or more likely, completely or partially torn loose. Is it possible that this ligament actually tore loose, considering I have had such little pain and such a fast recovery? I would think there would be much more pain involved with such a tear. All other tendons feel very strong and stable. I have regained about 80% of the ankle strength and mobility already, and swelling is still present though minimal (I should note that I never iced it, only wrapped). But the marked difference between the good and injured ankle when performing the toe extension/raising has me wondering if I did more damage to the inferior extensor retinaculum than I thought. Can you offer any advice? Thank you. (P.S. - You can post this on the board if you wish.)

Answer
Hey Jason

More likely you brused your tendons and muscles. Wrapping was a good idea. Isolates the muscles so they can heal easier. Low pain was due to the endorphins flooding the injured area.

I, personally, would give this injury as much respect as I can; no more hiking for a while. Prop the foot up at night when you sleep. Do some daily stretching exercises to keep the blood flowing better so the injury will heal better and keep the wrapping on when walking.

When you can, see a podiatrist. And when you are cured, write again so we can discuss some exercises to make your muscles more stronger so injuries will be less likely to happen. Smaller when they do happen.