Sprained Ankle in USTA

[blakesq]

I have heard that a sprain hurts more than a broken ankle. If the pain is bothering you, just go ahead and break the ankle to reduce the pain.

[Larrysümmers]

i did the same thing april of '10. i didnt have any swelling but it hurt really bad. even now it still randomly throbs, and when it is about to storm bad i am the first to know about it. i only missed one practice but i was determined to play.
my best advise is to take it easy, and buy an ace ankle brace. i got mine at wall-greens for $20

[tennis tom]

This is what you need to do if you're gonna' play with a sprained ankle:


http://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1...aping+an+ankle

[Mike Hodge]

Cold pool therapy. My gym has a cold pool. It's been a god-send. I go back and forth between cold and warm. Really helps with the inflammation.

[Jim A]

doubt you will be ready to really plan on it in a week's time.

However if you aren't consistently taking things like Advil right off the bat you are way behind the curve. When I first sprain the ankle I'm taking 4 every 8 hours or so for the first day. Not the best thing but its short term.

Lots of water, stay hydrated and ice the hell out of it. Typically keep it elevated (which means above the heart not just in the air). I was doing 15min on/5 min off, had my foot in a zip loc bag and just was surround it with bags of ice

Also had a really old foot massager that just vibrated like hell and once I got through the first couple days, would to that for 10min on and 5min off and just put my heel on it . It seemed to really get all the swelling out and once I could get my foot into my hockey skate, was good to go. Of course when I even sneeze the wrong way nowadays I run the risk of spraining it since I rushed back too many times in the past

[spot]

Taping an ankle isn't the way to go as the tape doesn't keep its structural integrity long. You would be better off with a lace-up ankle brace.

http://www.amazon.com/McDavid-A101T-...0310828&sr=1-5

[tennis tom]

I disagree on the tape losing it's integrity, I've used trainer's tape to immobilize my own sprained ankles numerous times and it stays tight. It's meant to be used once and then cut off and reapplied before each event. I've observed PT/trainer's apply it immediately after an injury to keep pro athletes in the game. I've never seen a PT/trainer apply one of those lace-up devices immediately after an injury, although I've seen players wearing them for some support until an injury completely heals. I've never worn one of those lace-ups myself but can't imagine they would provide more support and immobilize a sprained ankle as well as taping it. If anyone is an expert and knows the pros/cons of taping versus the lace support device please chime in.

[spot]

tennis tom- every study I have ever seen has shown that ankle braces are more effective than taping even when the taping is done by a professional trainer. For someone learning how to do it on the internet it isn't even close. I've read before that because of sweat that the effectiveness of tape goes down dramatically after 20 minutes. Personally I'd say don't waste your time taping your ankles and just get a lace up ankle brace.

I've both worn ankle braces and been taped by a professional. To me it isn't even close- the braces provide FAR more support.

[Sakkijarvi]

You can use both tape and a brace. Tape can become, literally, a cast if properly applied. But there is no reason you can't tape and go with a brace over the tape.

[okaythen]

hi guys about a month ago when I was playing tennis, I was going one way (side way in baseline) and the last min I saw the ball went the other way so I changed direction at the last min and sprained my ankle a little bit. It only hurt a little bit so I kept on playing...it was ok the rest of the day. The next time I played tennis it was ok too, didn't hurt at all. But ever since then it will hurt at weird positions, like when I walk, or run, or just doing casual things and moving my ankle....I think at weird angle it will hurt. It doesn't hurt a lot but it's been a month and pain doesn't diminish when I do get it, maybe 10% less painful since then. So is it something serious should I get someone to look at it? or just rest? Ever since the injury I play tennis almost every other day. (never hurt during playing) I used jogging shoe when injury happened but I am using proper shoes now. not sure if jogging shoes caused the little sprained ankle. So any tips guys? thanks in advance

[Maui19]

The very best thing you can do, IME, on a new injury is apply ice: 20 minutes on, then let the area return to normal temp. Then again. And again. 3 cycles of this 4 times a day, and you will limit the damage.

The other thing is to prevent any motion/action that results in pain. IMO if you let it hurt, you are furthering the damage.

RICE is also an important part of recovery.

When I follow this advice, I recover remarkably quickly--even since becoming a geezer.

Good luck--injuries suck.

[mmk]

Originally Posted by Crusher10s

Let me clarify the Grade II criteria...says I have partial tearing but not a complete tear in the ligaments...

Rush coming back from a Grade II and you risk having a Grade III. And those are not fun.

[johndagolfer]

Originally Posted by mmk

Rush coming back from a Grade II and you risk having a Grade III. And those are not fun.

Definitely do not rush! That's why my ankle sprain from March lasted almost 7 months. I was always on the court either coaching or trying to hit.

They keys that eventually aided in my recovery was completely shutting down my ankle for almost 6 weeks coupled with heat massage followed by ice treatments.

[okaythen]

how do you prevent sprained ankle? enough warm up and correct shoes huh

[tennis tom]

Originally Posted by okaythen

...sprained my ankle a little bit.

...It only hurt a little bit so I kept on playing...it was ok the rest of the day.

...The next time I played tennis it was ok too, didn't hurt at all.

...But ever since then it will hurt at weird positions, like when I walk, or run, or just doing casual things and moving my ankle....I think at weird angle it will hurt.

As you've learned don't use jogging shoes for tennis, they don't provide lateral support.

Your ankle doesn't hurt when you play tennis--the answer is obvious, don't do anything but play tennis--problem solved. Whenever it hurts go play tennis.

It doesn't sound like you hurt yourself very badly the first time. I've had severe ankle sprains and everything else in-between, it's not that big a deal. Your body will tell you when it's time to lay off.

It sounds like your mindbody is using your minor injury as a means of distraction from emotional issues when you are not totally absorbed by the great game of tennis. I recommend reading books by Dr. John E. Sarno, MD, if you're interested in learning more about this fascinating topic. It will help you overcome a lot of minor aches, and pains before they become chronic. The good doctor has helped me a lot in that regard.

If you get a severe ankle sprain and need to keep playing, use trainer's tape. This is what is done for a sprained ankle in pro-sports every time, as you can see on TV. For support for your other activities, use a Koban type of Ace Bandage, it'll give you enough support for the activities you mentioned outside of tennis.

G'luck

[samarai]

RICE for 24-48 hours or until the swelling goes down. Once it does see if you can put any pressure on it. If you can go through some mobilization exercises or stretches for a day. If no pain start with some light ankle exercises for a day. If no pain get up and walk for for 5 or 10 mins. If no pain then next day try to jog a little. Still no pain add some more aerobic exercises, jump rope running side to side on courts to increase intensity. By day 7 u will know if I are ready or not.

[SwankPeRFection]

No offense, but if it was a bad one, you won't be playing in 1 week. You will need a minimum of 3-4 weeks if you push it and then you'll be playing with some limited mobility and/or slight pain and you'll be wearing a brace on it. If you look at your ankle, you will have a swelling part that will not match in circumference to your other ankle. That will not go away for about 6 or so months, especially if you play on it before it's fully healed. People and doctors will say 6 weeks to be off of it, but it's tough if you're a daily player like I am. Bottom line, be prepared to pull your hair out because you can't go play.

It's happened to me twice and both times was my left ankle. First time was 2 days before having to go to state. Ended up doping up on ibuprofen and taping it and just playing on it. Second time was more severe and was in a soft cast/brace for a couple of weeks and off of it for 4 or so weeks (i.e. no tennis). I was off of it for 1 week easy (no driving cuz I drive stick). After 4-5 weeks, I started playing again with a brace on both sides just to be safe. After 6 months I have full mobility in it again, but I don't trust it without my braces. I'll be wearing them from now on no matter what. ASO EVOs to the rescue.

Hope you get better.

[db10s]

Originally Posted by SwankPeRFection

No offense, but if it was a bad one, you won't be playing in 1 week. You will need a minimum of 3-4 weeks if you push it and then you'll be playing with some limited mobility and/or slight pain and you'll be wearing a brace on it. If you look at your ankle, you will have a swelling part that will not match in circumference to your other ankle. That will not go away for about 6 or so months, especially if you play on it before it's fully healed. People and doctors will say 6 weeks to be off of it, but it's tough if you're a daily player like I am. Bottom line, be prepared to pull your hair out because you can't go play.

It's happened to me twice and both times was my left ankle. First time was 2 days before having to go to state. Ended up doping up on ibuprofen and taping it and just playing on it. Second time was more severe and was in a soft cast/brace for a couple of weeks and off of it for 4 or so weeks (i.e. no tennis). I was off of it for 1 week easy (no driving cuz I drive stick). After 4-5 weeks, I started playing again with a brace on both sides just to be safe. After 6 months I have full mobility in it again, but I don't trust it without my braces. I'll be wearing them from now on no matter what. ASO EVOs to the rescue.

Hope you get better.

Agreed, and you don't want to reinjure it.

OT:What car? Stick shift FTW.

[IA-SteveB]

Originally Posted by mmk

Rush coming back from a Grade II and you risk having a Grade III. And those are not fun.

I have to agree here! I have had a grade iii and you REALLY do not want that. You'll be out of it for a good long time if you get worse.

[okaythen]

guys so how do you prevent sprained ankle? any tips?