Getting old I guess

[AGRIMAN]

Well... I recently turn 40 and as of late Sat night for the first time in my live I'm immobile. I was able to severely strain my right ankle (so the doctor said) and now I can't get around with out this two stupid metal sticks.

GGGGGRRRRRR...... He also told me that it would have probably been better if I had broken it because chances are that it would heal faster. "That's just my luck"

One week with it propped up and two weeks with these metal sticks minimum...... Yea right.

 

[dmccarty]

Be thankfull that its just a sprained ankle.

If you mess up your back it ain't coming back. You just have to deal with it for the rest or your life.

Later,
Dan

 

[Soundguy]

My MIL has a saying.. "gettin old ain't fer sissies'.

I understand that saying more and more every year!

soundguy

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

There are medical support boots available - cann't remember the name - but a bit higher than a ski boot and with no toe. Completely immobilizes the ankle area and might allow weight bearing faster than if no support.

Might also consider a 4 legged "walker" instead of the crutches. Speaking personally, crutches seemed like a disaster waiting to happen, especially in winter or on stairs and I was unable to use them when I broke one ankle and sprained the other.

 

[frank_f15]

i know it seems like a real pain, and it probably is. but look on the bright side, it ain't worse or permament. take the time and just relax and try to enjoy the down time.

 

[AGRIMAN]

Thanks Everyone,

I have been trying to be a good patient. Laying around since Sunday with my foot propped up, wearing my brace, Ice pack every few hours, No weight at all. I went to bed last night with a almost normal looking foot (very little swelling) hoping that today I could apply a little weight, but only to awake this morning with a foot twice the size as it should be. All the swelling returned overnight.

After taking a shower this morning I also noticed it was a nice shade of purple. I'm beginning to wonder if it's not broke.

I tried to get a appointment with my regular doctor (who I only see every few years) and couldn't for today so I was advised by the doctors office and the decision made by (the Misses) to go to another doctor. Well to make a long story short 3 hours after my appointment time he finally stopped in for less than 5 minutes to tell me "Yea looks like a sprain to me" and turned to walk back out the door when she ask him. Don't you want to look at the X-rays? (which she had from the ER) To which he replied NO that's what we have professionals for. Keep it propped up and use a ice pack.

She tried to explain to him that we had been doing just as instructed, but it seems to be getting worse, but he didn't seem to have time for us.

Needless to say about this time she flu HOT! and after a few heated discussions with several other nurses and doctors I now have a appointment set up by my regular doctor with a specialist.

Nothing like a scorn woman!

 

[chh]

I was messing with a stupid crazy cow a few years ago and jumped off a corral fence onto a nice little round rock. The Doc told me the same thing in the ER about being better off if I had just broken it. Self employed and no time for laying around. Can't say I did real good hobbling around but I got by. That was 10 or 11 years ago and I still have to watch what kind of boots I wear to have a comfortable fit. I wasn't 40 then, but have passed it now. It stinks, but I guess its better than the alternative.
Good luck with that ankle and keep that scorned wife on your side . She sounds like a great woman.

 

[hosejockey2002]

I feel your pain, literally. I turned 40 year before last, and just last night I rolled my left ankle climbing out of the aid car on a call with my fire dept. job. First time I have ever fallen and not bounced right back up. I can bear weight but its pretty sore and swollen, though not as bad as yours.

Although your doctor does sound like kind of an arrogant SOB, he is probably right in that you really just need to ice and rest your ankle. There is no quick treatment to fix a sprained ankle, especially a severe one like yours. If will probably look and feel worse before it gets better. Even if you had a fracture that was not obvious on the X-ray, the treatment would not change. I'd give it a good solid week of rest, ibuprofen and ice and if you don't see any improvement see your specialist, and then he'll probably just put you in an air splint. Beleive me, I know how much it sucks to just sit when you're an active guy who is used to being on the move all the time. Good luck.

 

[SailorBob]

Be careful about that. You might need to get a second opinion from an orthepedic DR. A couple of years ago I tore my gastroc (calf muscle). I went to the DR and he basically told me the same thing. I could not even walk on it all. The swelling would not go away and kept getting worse. So, I went to an orthopedic DR with it. He immediately sent me to have an ultrsound on my leg to check for a blood clot. Many people have died from that. A friend of mine slipped and broke her ankle and died from the blood clot. (She had a stroke.) I spend 2 weeks on the sofa with ice and my leg had to be elevated above my head. Then another 7 weeks with a leg brace. I was miserable.

Good luck and do stay off of it. It will heal faster if you do.

 

[ToadHill]

When I was your age I brused my ackilles sp. tendon, it hurt like crazy the doctor told me that it would be a very long time before it healed. He was right I limped for almost 18 months.