"sprained" ankle

[lskd]

I injured my left ankle about 10 weeks ago. My ankle rolled to the outside, so the bottom of my left foot was facing my right foot.  There was a loud popping sound and the ankle immediately became very swollen and began to bruise. I sprained the right ankle a couple years ago and know there isn't a whole lot to be done for this type of injury.  So I held off on going to the doctor (I don't have insurance) but when there was no improvement after a couple days I decided to go to the ER.  The doctor there was very brief, but told me no break was shown on the x-ray.  He wanted to give me a compression wrap, but I asked for an aircast.  he told me to stay off of it for 4 or 5 more days, and to follow up in a couple of weeks with a family practice physician if it was still giving me trouble.  
Sure enough, two weeks later I went to see the family practice doctor, as I was still unable to walk without crutches without intense pain.  The FP doctor told me it was a high sprain and it would take another 4-6 weeks to heal, to keep wearing the aircast, and to follow up with him in 2-4 weeks.  As far as walking, he told me if I was doing anything and it hurt, don't do it.  Due to a prolonged illness and subsequent death in the family, I was unable to follow up at the 2-4 week mark.  However, after 6 weeks (8 weeks after initial injury) I was still experiencing pain and swelling, (among many other symptoms). I decided to go back to make sure everything was healing okay.  The doctor started the appointment by giving me a hard time about still wearing an aircast (which I was doing as per his instructions...), but then squeezed my leg just above the ankle and it was very painful.  He said I should not still have so much pain 2 months after the initial injury, to get an MRI, and keep wearing the aircast until I came back to see him.  I cannot afford an MRI, and when I called his office to tell them their only suggestion was to keep icing and resting.  It has been about a week and a half since then, and I still have swelling and cannot stand for more than 20 min bearing weight on the ankle, nor can I walk very far without being moderately sore for the rest of the day. My foot also turns bluish while in the shower, or sitting in a chair that puts any kind of pressure on the back of my leg above the knee. It often feels cold, both in sensation and to the touch.  My shin, along the bone toward the inside of my leg is tender to the touch, and I have what I can only describe as a "disjointed" feeling on the inside of the ankle joint.  When trying to sleep on my side, any kind of pressure below the knee results in pain at point of contact and in ankle.  Also, oddly, my foot tends to be mostly discolored from the outside (pinky toe side) to the middle of my foot,  ending in literally a straight line under the middle toe.  Sorry this is so long, but I feel like the details are important and maybe if m doctor had listened he would have been able to help me a little more (without a $3000 test).  Any advice/idea of problem?  Thanks!

[lskd]

Thanks for the advice achilles2!  I saw a podiatrist today, and after a thorough examination she told me I cracked the talus.  I'm on crutches and a cast for 6 weeks.  Glad I persisted, otherwise I would never have gotten an accurate diagnosis and feel I would have been struggling with this ankle for the rest of my life.  I think most doctors brush "sprained" ankles off because they are painful and take a while to heal, so they don't take it seriously when you tell them you think there is a more severe problem.  Thanks again, I hope you are able to find some relief for your ankle as well!

[achilles2]

As someone who is dealing with complications from a misdiagnosed and improperly treated sprain for 4+ years, I feel for you. You need to get the MRI you could have torn some ligaments. Can you get your MRI done at a hospital that offers patient assistance? You might be able to get the bill written off after you apply. I would just go to the hospital's website and look up patient assistance or you could call their billing department.

I hope this helps,
achilles2