ankle sprain and heel pain

About a year ago, I incurred a pretty bad ankle sprain - went to PT for long time - it was finally feeling almost normal a few months ago when i fell and twisted it again. It was swollen and painful but didn't seem nearly as bad as the last time - so I never went to doctor -  I used my brace, graduated to next brace and have been doing stretching as taught in PT. Fairly soon after the second sprain, I started having pain in my heel. Mostly when I get up in the morning - or after long periods of being on feet - or a day of lots of walking. By the end of the day, even being off of it, it is throbbing. I also have pain on the outside of my ankle above and behind the little bump that comes out.

is this just all part of the sprain? plantar fasciaitis? something else? is it time to see doctor, or continue with my own PT and give it more time?

[Dr Vinod]

Hi!

If the ligament sprain or tendon/muscle strain does not heal properly then you have these nagging problems and have unstable joints and future possibilities of arthritis.

You need to go for an X-ray and for proper diagnosis if required MRI followed up by an Orthopaedician visit. If you did not damage anything to your bones and minor injuries to ligaments of tendons there is nothing to worry and you can continue your PT.
But if your treatment is aimless and not based on proper diagnosis then you would do much harm than advantage.

Take care!