Injured Outer Foot

[Scarlett]

I fell down the stairs over a week ago, and fell on my left foot, and pulled it in a weird angle. The outer edge and ankle bone still really hurt when I bring my foot up towards me. This is different to my normal arthritis pain. Any idea what I may have done, and what's the best way to treat it? I hoped the pain (bruising?) would have gone by now. Thanks

[237SJ]

Sounds like a sprain. Is it swollen?

[237SJ]

"pulled it at a weird angle" Overstretch of a ligament - sprain. When you bring your foot up towards me you are straining the same ligament.

[237SJ]

towards *you* (not me)!

[Scarlett]

It is swollen but my ankles swell all the time with weather/sitting etc so it's hard to tell if it's related. the swelling is round the ankle bone bit that sticks out but the pain is on the edge of my outer foot as well as in the joint itself.
I have loose ligaments anyway as I'm hypermobile; what's the best thing to do if I've sprained the ligament? I'll see my physio but am currently seeing an osteopath for my back and can't afford both at the mo.

[237SJ]

Well normally you would rest, elevate the limb, put ice (indirectly on it) and tie a compression bandage around it but that is when it first happens. Obviously take pain relief if needed. You could put an ankle support bandage around it and raise the leg when you are sitting.

[Scarlett]

Great thanks. It hurts less than it did when I first fell, but has now kind of 'stuck' which makes me wonder whether I have damaged something like a bone, which might take longer to heal?

[237SJ]

I sprained my ankle when going down some stairs in a night club in Hong Kong after a few sherberts. It took ages for the pain to go away - that can be the case with ankles. I worry too much about it. The pain is easing so it sounds like it is healing.

[237SJ]

I meant I *wouldn`t* worry too much. Bloody `ell - I wish I didn`t type in so much of a hurry

[Sqad]

237SJ is "bang on the money"...it sounds very much like a lateral ligament strain. It will settle given time.

[Sqad]

True belladonner.....very, very true.

[Scarlett]

I know... but it's still really useful to get feedback from people when desperate! I will of course try and get a diagnosis from my physio asap too.

[rsvp]

To quote Bruce Forsythe Sqad - 'You're my favourite'