What to do when ankle is BOTH broken and sprained

[rikki_rabbit]

I was in a car accident about two weeks ago and ended up with my left ankle broken on the medial side and sprained on the lateral side. The break is non displaced, doesn’t really hurt much, and xray from yesterday shows it’s healing correctly. But the sprain is really painful and there is pain just above the ankle in what I thunk are tendons. That side’s swelling has come down a bit, but still is red, bruised and noticeably swollen and really hurts, especially in the evening even though I am not putting weight on it at all.

Anyway, the ER had me in a splint, all wrapped up tight for a week and then orthopedic surgeon put me in a boot, which I’ve had on for one week and he wants me to keep it on at least until I see him again in three weeks, and also don’t put weight on it at all and try not to move it. Also doesn’t want me taking anti inflammatories for the sprain because it might inhibit bone healing and says ice is useless now.

My question is this: What can I do for the sprain since we have to prioritize the break right now and I can’t do any exercises like you would usually right away for a sprain? I’m afraid the recovery from the sprain is going to be very difficult if I don’t re establish range of motion for 4-6 weeks that it needs to be immobilized.

Any thoughts?

[Paxiled]

I'm guessing the orthopedist knows more about this than we do.  But what I do know from my own history is that sprains are harder actually to treat than breaks, in a way.  With a break it can be put back in place, at least in medical theory, but with a sprain, it just has to heal in its own time.  Usually you would elevate and ice it to reduce inflammation, but you can't do that if it's wrapped up tight.  I'm not sure why the anti-inflammatories would inhibit bone healing, I'm not the expert. but you might ask if natural ones do that.  Turmeric for some works as well as ibuprofen, though not for all, just as an example.  But it is a blood thinner to an extent, and that might be the problem.  I also don't know what exercises one would do for a new sprain, again, you'd usually rest, ice and elevate for a time before exercising it.  But again, your doc knows more about it I would hope than we do.