How long for a sprain to heal?

[Aquila]

Seems more like a "this can wait to see your regular doctor/clinic" than an "I'm gonna die if I don't get this fixed NOW" sort of thing, doesn't it?

If it's been a couple weeks, it's probably not an emergency. Getting an appointment with your regular doctor/clinic may take a week, but the wait will be a whole lot more pleasant than 5 hours in the ER waiting room, I bet.

Some insurance has a huge co-pay if you use the ER but don't get admitted. And if you don't have insurance, then it's thousands just to walk in the door. The regular doctor/clinic usually isn't as expensive (but your mileage may vary).

I'm totally the wrong kind of doctor, but it sounds like a deep bruise maybe? Those always take a while to heal for me. But the right kind of doctor in person would be a much better bet.

[OakLeaf]

+1 on the PT.

Hopefully you haven't done any damage by overusing it since the injury - you've been keeping it compressed and rested yes?

My right ankle is held together with Scotch tape, pretty much. I don't even remember how many times I've sprained it. But I usually figure 3 weeks before I attempt any type of impact/toeing-off/potentially twisting activities, then a slow strengthening program.

[bluebug32]

I had a sprain last year and went to a podiatrist I'd already been seeing. She got me a nylon boot type of thing to stabilize the area while I rode and had me do alternating epson salt hot and cold water soaks. My chiropractor was helpful too. There are some nifty foot and toe adjustments that help.

[Trek420]

Some insurance has a huge co-pay if you use the ER but don't get admitted. And if you don't have insurance, then it's thousands just to walk in the door. The regular doctor/clinic usually isn't as expensive (but your mileage may vary).

Aquila, Duck's in Norway. No worries or cost to see any doctor. You need a doctor, go see a doctor. Nice, huh?

Duck is this the same side as the leg you broke orienteering?

[Duck on Wheels]

Aquila, Duck's in Norway. No worries or cost to see any doctor. You need a doctor, go see a doctor. Nice, huh?

Duck is this the same side as the leg you broke orienteering?

Yep, so glad to be a Norwegian. I've already passed the co-pay limit of about $300, so ER or doc or PT is all free til next year. Makes me even happy to pay my taxes.

and Yep. Same side, but well below the old break point. Break was across both bones just above the ankle "knob"; this one's down at the outer edge of the foot, in the arch, plus out by the toes. The toes now seem ok. It's mostly that outer edge that's still sore, so yeah, maybe a deep bruise. There's also still a hard lump of a bruise on my right shin from the pedal hitting it as I went down (THAT foot came out of the clips, but not the one I was trying to get out ), but that bruise never really hurt and is definitely not a break! I've stopped taping the foot, but I do try to elevate whenever possible and I avoid putting any torque on that area, cuz that really hurts. Maybe I should see if I can find the ace bandage-sock I vaguely remember we had lying around. The wind-on kind gets too thick for my shoes, but the sock kind might help some.

Thanks, ladies, for reassuring me that I haven't done anything stupid by not going to the ER right away with this.

[DebR]

I vote for you to visit a doctor. I injured myself on a run in January, it improved but didn't go away so I saw a podiatrist in June. Turns out I broke my ankle! (grrr) Fortunately he gave me a velcro boot and permission to take the boot off to ride.

[Aquila]

Oops, sorry! I didn't realize!

Still, wouldn't there be a longer wait in an emergency room thing?

I hope it feels better fast :)

[KnottedYet]

I really envy practitioners in the First World.

One of my more miserable experiences was watching patients be turned away from a clinic I worked in because they had the wrong insurance or didn't have cash in hand.

Some got angry. Most were so beaten down they just walked away. A couple of them cried.

Don't even try to tell me that's right.

Duck - I'm wild about feet and ankles, and I'd be getting that checked next week if it isn't vastly improved. Limping nearly 3 weeks post injury is not warming the cockles of my heart.