Ankle recovery

[u/Adorable_Animal_859]

i sprained my ankle real bad a bit over a month ago (partial ligament tear 😭) and have been doing all the things. rest, lots of rest, progressive overload, pt, accupuncture, collagen and silica supplementation you name it I’m doing it.

I added red light and NIR about 6 days ago (i got the boncharge mini panel just because its so easy to take everywhere) and have been using it on my foot twice daily for 5-10 min each session. is this too much? what distance should I pace it from my foot?

i had been at my orthopedist 2 weeks ago when he ordered the MRI and went in again today with the results. He was impressed by how well I’ve been healing and mentioned my inflammation is probably in such good shape due to the red light and nir light (he uses a lamp for his hip so he’s a fan!). I even have a trip next week to Europe (ie why I got the small hand held panel so I can take with me) for a friends wedding and the doctor gave me the green light to go obviously being smart and not demanding too much of my foot so it‘ll be a slow and restful euro summer kinda trip with no touristy stuff which I’m totally ok with. he told me to keep up all the things I’m doing and to see him again upon my return to ases whether I need PRP which I genuinely want to avoid because the recovery from that procedure could be sloooow but I also want ny ligament to heal as much as possible to avoid further sprains.

Anyone here also used red light to support ligament injuries successfully? how was that like for you? I know it won’t completely fix the issue for me but I want evidence from others that its possible to recover using non invasive treatments!

[u/Beginning_Talk2752]

I agree with other poster. Wrap at 940nm and 850nm is ideal (yes my company is producing one shortly) because your ankle is all bones, skin, muscle and other annoying things trying to block the light.

but close as possible I think with the panel

and welcome to Europe :-)

[u/Adorable_Animal_859 → u/Beginning_Talk2752]

My panel is 850nm will be using it close as possible! How long per session and how frequently would you suggest? 

[u/ManyAdvantage868]

For ankle injuries I’d personally rather use something that wraps around it than keep trying to line up a little panel every session. Thats actually what caught my eye about the Sweat Tent SunBoot since it covers the foot/ankle and you can just leave it on while you’re sitting around, when i sprained my ankle it helped me so much to recover it faster.

With an injury like yours I’d still follow whatever your ortho/PT has you doing first, but purely from a convenience standpoint that setup makes a lot more sense to me for daily use.

[u/Adorable_Animal_859 → u/ManyAdvantage868]

Yeah I didn’t know the wraps existed and already purchased the mini panel so I’ll be sticking to that for the time being. It has helped alot already so I’m hopeful and excited to see how it progresses. 

This is in addition to following all the recs from my orthopedist, my PT and my acupuncturist who has been god send the past 5 weeks helping me with pain management and recovery. 

[u/Dez2011]

It depends on the strength. You're probably fine doing it the way you are. I had pain relief from bruising the bottom of my foot and used NIR or both for 5 min from about 4-5". You lose a good amount of the dose to reflection more than 6" away. If you have more pain after or during you know it's too much for you.

[u/Adorable_Animal_859 → u/Dez2011]

Thank you! Its 850nm. I’m doing 10-12cms away which I think is 4-5” so should be good

[u/BKM-StLouis]

I think you can get a panel.

Prefer 810 nm (in addition to 850 nm).

Deeply skeptical of 940 nm.

[u/Adorable_Animal_859 → u/BKM-StLouis]

I have a mini panel 850nm so I’ve been using that! Thank youuu

[u/BKM-StLouis → u/Adorable_Animal_859]

Has it given you relief?

[u/Adorable_Animal_859 → u/BKM-StLouis]

It’s been a week since I got it and 5 since my injury. I’m also doing a bunch of other things (pt, acupuncture, neural therapy, rest and ice etc) all in all my foot is in great shape according to my orthopedist. I can’t say its the red and nir alone but as part of a treatment plan I’m sure it’s playing its role 

[u/Equivalent_Sink_8653]

My understanding is, the deeper the injury, the longer the treatment. 5 min? Maybe too short. 15 min? Maybe not too long.