Sprained ankle Healing???

[TommieF]

Bad sprained ankle skiing about 5 weeks ago. Been resting and iciing alot. Only small swelling left on that outside ball like bone. Last few days been stretching it and working it.... My own physical therapy. Hurt doing it right away now not very much when I stretch it. Ran half a mile today on treadmill. With a brace similar to ASO. No problems. Is it time for tennis as long as I wear my brace? Only think that hurts is if I lean to side and roll on ankle. Still sore there. But shouldn't the brace make sure I don't roll it. Thr brace laces up then valcro's up each side. Sturdy.

 

[LeeD]

Brace helps, but nothing is "sure" in life.
Kudos for self PT.
I've a sprained left ankle going on 4 years now, no running.
Play conservative, say "nice shot" to stuff you can't reach.

 

[drkplayer122]

You might want to try doing some more range of motion exercises and heat therapy. That helped me alot when I had slight swelling around the same area as you. But you should still ice and rest it. Remember to R.I.C.E.(Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate if you didnt already know) injuries.

 

[Cervantes]

Even something as common as a sprained ankle can have ongoing consequences. Take it seriously if you're not familiar. Go to a PT and get their advice, prognosis and therapy to store for the future. Both my ankles have been sprained so many times the ligaments are stretched so I can touch that bone to the ground without much consequence.

An improperly rehabbed hamstring pull is credited for McEnroe losing a step in his famed quickness leading to his decline.

You may want to tape it before you play. If you live near the ocean, go in as this helps recovery considerably.

 

[charliefedererer]

There are sprains, and there are SPRAINS!

Thankfully most ankle ligament sprains are not complete tears (grade 3).

It is hard to know whether you had just a few fibers torn (grade 1), or many (grade 2).

The danger of course, is that returning too early to play could result in converting a grade 2 tear into a total tear.


But it sounds like you have been wise in giving yourself 5 weeks to heal, then testing out the ankle with some straight ahead running.


But the tendon tissue is undoubtedly still undergoing some remodeling - a process where the protein strands are interlinked to make your ligament as strong as tough rope.


USTA guidelines suggest you could return to judicious play (like a light hitting session) to test out the ankle, then proceed from there.
USTA Recovery in Tennis free downloadable booklet p. 20 http://assets.usta.com/assets/1/dps...ence/RECOVERY PROJECT 22410 EMAIL VERSION.pdf


(But of course the above are "guidelines" - getting checked out if pain occurs or persists is the smart way to go.)