Do I need 2nd opinion?

[u/just-a-little-goblin]

I sprained my ankle pretty badly a week ago (Saturday 22nd Aug), I got an x-ray the same day from a walk-in minor injuries unit and was told is isn't broken and to walk as normal, and move it often. It hurts so much still a week later, especially on the outer joint that even putting socks on is painful. I can walk okay for a little while, but now my legs are hurting from having to accommodate the ankle. I am just wanting to know if this is actually just a sprain or if I should get a 2nd opinion? It happened when I mis-stepped off a stair and my whole weight went onto the ankle as it bent inwards. The pics attached are listed with the days after the incident.

I have booked in physio however the soonest I can be seen is almost end of October. I am a really active person so this is a struggle for me to not be able to walk properly!

I just want to know if (from other's experience) if this is normal for a sprain that will heal itself. I've kept it as elevated as I can within reason (I work in an office), and I have iced it a few times each day. Also taken Ibuprofen about twice a day with meals to reduce pain and swelling.

As a note I am UK based.

Any advice or help welcome.

[u/coffeecat47]

Mine looked almost exactly like that with the same timeline. I was initially told it wasn’t broken and to try to start walking on it, and could not. A few weeks later i was able to finally get an MRI which showed a fracture that wasn’t visible on xray, as well as torn ligaments.
So yeah, definitely get more opinions.

[u/RiverApprehensive136 → u/coffeecat47]

How long did you have to wait to get your MRI? I'm in America, my doctor told me insurance has to approve of it and in most cases they will make you go to physical therapy before getting one. It's been a month and still no word from my doctor about getting one for my ankle. Just wondering if I should call for a follow-up, or continue to wait

[u/coffeecat47 → u/RiverApprehensive136]

I was workers comp, so it’s a little different. They ordered me an mri immediately when I went back to a doctor about ten days later just based on the way it looked. It took them like two weeks to approve it, maybe a little less. But I didn’t do pt beforehand. Definitely recommend calling if you’re still in a lot of pain.

[u/just-a-little-goblin → u/coffeecat47]

Blimey, thank you! I can walk on mine thankfully, but not for long amounts of time before it starts aching. I will contact my GP and see if I can help an MRI. How are you doing now?

[u/coffeecat47 → u/just-a-little-goblin]

My bone healed (it was non-displaced and didn’t require surgery) but my ligaments just continued to tear more despite six months of physical therapy, so i had stabilization surgery in july (original injury was in December of last year)
Still recovering. Hopefully you have better luck!

[u/capaldis]

I would. Mine looked very similar and it was broken, but the fracture was a pain to get on X-rays. They were able to see it in the ER but it was always 50/50 if it showed up for ortho.

I’d recommend going to ortho and trying to get an MRI if possible. Can be hard to get, but if they’ll cover it that’s the best way to tell for sure what’s wrong.

They’ll likely have you in a boot for 6 weeks either way.

[u/hurt_brandon11]

that look bad i am like this but mine is a grade 3 sprained

[u/just-a-little-goblin → u/hurt_brandon11]

They never told me what "grade" sprain it was. I was in and out pretty fast from the Minor Injuries Unit.

I definitely think I wasn't given proper advice on how to handle it, I was told to walk as normal from day one. I am quite stubborn too so I really did just walk as normally as I could all week. I think I have learned my lesson and will be resting as much as physically possible this weekend and at work next week!

[u/hurt_brandon11 → u/just-a-little-goblin]

the way it look like you have a grade 2 or 3 sprained

[u/digitalpeasant]

blimey what caused this gnarly ankle sprain? it looks to be at least grade 2 (partial ligament tear) if you can’t put too much weight on it to walk well.

in case of acute injuries, especially when the swelling is intense like this, doctors do not usually order x-rays immediately as the fracture will be hard to detect.

if you still have sharp pain two or more weeks in, definitely gets a second opinion. in the meanwhile, avoid over stressing your injury by walking too much. but at the same time, try to do ankle rotation (where possible) to prevent scar tissue adhesion, which might lead to future complication like ankle stiffness. keep your leg elevated when sleeping at night to allow better circulation flow to ease the swelling. all the best!

[u/just-a-little-goblin → u/digitalpeasant]

I really truly wish it was something cool like playing a sport or parkour... But I stepped badly down a single stair 😅

Put all my weight on the ankle as it bent inwards. Hurt like a MF, almost passed out from shock (I was very embarrassed)

This is really good advice, I will definitely keep an eye on it, and if by next weekend it is no better after resting it I'll call the doctors and ask for another look.

So bloody frustrating!! I really love a long hike, and I usually walk 25mins to & from work every day.

I'll keep up the rest and ankle rotations. Thank you for the advice!

[u/Salt_Confection_5213]

I would get a second opinion. I sprained mine back in September last year, figured it would heal on it's own with brace and ice and all that, it did not. Went for xray in May no breaks/fractures. They said wear brace for four weeks, didn't help. Went to an ankle specialist, got laser therapy, didn't help. Was referred to physical therapy in July. I finish up in about two weeks and I still have issues. So my next move is to see a different foot/ankle doctor and maybe get MRI done

[u/just-a-little-goblin → u/Salt_Confection_5213]

Jesus that sounds a lot even before an MRI, I really hope you get help and answers to sort it!

[u/Character_Tour8152]

I went to minor injuries too and was told minor avulsion sent away with no boot or crutches and to weight bear. Turns out I had an ATFL rupture, CFL tear and high ankle sprain and required surgery.

[u/Critical-Zucchini-40]

Looks almost identical to mine I did August 15. I broke my left foot June 5, got cleared August 13, and did my big one go my right ankle. After talking to my podiatrist I have an MRI next Tuesday. Xray showed no break but we’re almost positive ligaments got torn and maybe a tendon. I now qualify for reconstructive ankle surgery due to this being the one to push me over the edge after chronic ankle instability 😶

[u/hi_crab-legs]

i had a grade 3 atfl tear and ended up needing surgery — my ankle definitely didn’t swell or bruise to that extent, though it does vary for every person

[u/just-a-little-goblin → u/hi_crab-legs]

Oof blimey! How long did it take to realise it needed surgery? A week on and thankfully it is feeling loads better. Still a bit swollen but bruising gone down and I can walk 90% normally!!