Sprained ankle?

[keepholdingon]

I play basketball and Tuesday I landed akwardly on my left aknle while shooting a layup. There was pain that day, a lot. When I got home I wrapped it, iced it, and kept it elevated when possible. When I woke up teh next morning there was a lot of swelling, a lot of bruising, but not a lot of pain. It has been the same since. Very swollen, from about 2 inches above my ankle and downt hrough my toes. The bruising extends the same lengths but is mostly below my ankle, on the outer side. There is still very little pain. I have kept it wrapped when possible, the same with icing and elevation. There is some limitation of motion but not much. Can anyone tell me why these odd symptoms have occured. Thanks!

[Heidi]

Hi

The bruising and swelling are typical of a sprained ankle:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/ankle/anklesprain.htm

The reason there may be little pain now could be that there has been a complete rupture of damaged ligament. These are often less painful than a partial rupture.

You sound as though you have done all the right things so far. Just continue to elevate it when resting and use a compression bandage. You can probably start range of motion exercises like ankle circles and wristing the alphabet with your toes. This will help to increase the motion and also reduce swelling, especiallly if done with the ankle elevated.

Stretching the calf muscles may also be possible provided it is pain-free:
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/stretching/advanced_gastrocnemius_stretch.php