Foot Sprain?

[Marita40]

Has anyone had a foot sprain? I injured my foot--twisted it when it "fell" into a small hole in a grassy area--and it still is sore after a month of limping around. Stairs are killers as the pain is mostly when it bends. I did have an x-ray last week that confirmed no broken bones. The doctor said to just rest and ice it. How long does it take these things to heal? The pain is on the top of the foot, kind of diffused all over. There is slight swelling but no bruising on either the top or bottom of the foot. Getting tired of this. . .

 

[eytonxav]

I wonder if you have a hairline fracture that was not detected by x-ray. I would go see an orthopedist to have it checked, if thats not what you did originally.
They might put you in a walking boot.

 

[Car-Guy]

That one really hits home with me. Last year, (September I think) I twisted my right ankle while working outside. (Slipped on the bank of a pond) A lot of swelling for 3 or 4 months and then I limped around for another 5 or 6 months before I felt comfortable walking normal again. Even today, (a year later) with the swelling gone and no pain, I'm still careful with that foot.

 

[Marita40]

Ach, car-guy that long to heal!! Did you see a doctor?

 

[justlikebike]

Ouch

I have had I think seven sprained ankles. The down side of playing sports... They can take up to 6 months to completely heal. You should be able to do just about anything after a month or two, it will be a little tender and not as strong as before. It really depends on how blue your foot was after you sprained it. It it got really blue and swelled up, you will take a long time to heal.
Be aware, once you sprained your ankle, it will never be as strong as before, so it is easier to get a second sprain.

 

[splitwdw]

"How long does it take these things to heal?"
It depends on what you do and your body's ability to heal. Do what the doctor said, rest and ice it.

 

[W2R]

Has anyone had a foot sprain? I injured my foot--twisted it when it "fell" into a small hole in a grassy area--and it still is sore after a month of limping around. Stairs are killers as the pain is mostly when it bends. I did have an x-ray last week that confirmed no broken bones. The doctor said to just rest and ice it. How long does it take these things to heal? The pain is on the top of the foot, kind of diffused all over. There is slight swelling but no bruising on either the top or bottom of the foot. Getting tired of this. . .

My sympathies! It takes a while, or at least it has for me, and a month doesn't surprise me. I injured my foot and I suppose probably sprained it while moving, and it took about six weeks to heal. The symptoms I experienced sound identical to what you are describing (swelling over the entire top of the foot, with no bruising) although not quite as painful on stairs. I didn't see a doctor about it, so I don't know if the injury was comparable.

I think injuries like this are taking longer to heal now that I am older, than they did when I was younger.

I also broke a toe on August 20th (rushing to the closing of the sale of my old house). It still hurts a lot and I have only been able to wear shoes this week and resume walking for exercise. I am sure getting tired of foot injuries! My sandals have been getting quite a workout this summer since I haven't been able to wear my usual New Balance shoes very much.

 

[Car-Guy]

Ach, car-guy that long to heal!! Did you see a doctor?

Yes, but I don't follow doctors instructions very well which probably didn't help.

 

[easysurfer]

I think for foot sprains you need a lot of patience as short of going on crutches and avoiding any weight to not use the foot at all, just everyday walking is going to put some strain.

I have a similar situation. Not a sprain but an injury to the inner side bone that connects from my big toe to my heel area. I got that from helping a brother move. A couple of days after moving, my foot felt fine. Then at around 3 am a few days after, that area felt like someone hit it with a hammer. I had to hobble around and get around with a cane, couldn't put any weight on my foot. In a few days, I was better (no longer needed a cane but still hurt to walk), I did go to the doctor and asked if I could have fractured or broken something. He said, since the foot was getting better and not worse, to just rest it. Today, my foot is almost recovered 100% (this was about 5 months ago). I resumed stuff like riding my bicycle and going on the treadmill. But if I put too much weight like carrying stuff, the area still doesn't feel 100%.

 

[Marita40]

I guess I'm feeling a bit consoled after reading these, so thanks for the input. It just sounds like I am in for the long haul. The pain is just so weird--so diffused over the entire top of the foot that I can't really pinpoint one area. And it comes and goes: some days the foot feels pretty good and I think it is on the mend; other days it hurt just the same way it hurts a few weeks ago. It sometimes aches even if I am sitting and not walking. I have tried to "rest" it but "rest" is a hard thing to do when you live alone and still work for a living!
W2R, a broken toe after a sprained foot? Oh, my condolences! Are you in some kind of a cast for the toe?

 

[W2R]

Why I still haven't hung any artwork in my new house

I guess I'm feeling a bit consoled after reading these, so thanks for the input. It just sounds like I am in for the long haul. The pain is just so weird--so diffused over the entire top of the foot that I can't really pinpoint one area. And it comes and goes: some days the foot feels pretty good and I think it is on the mend; other days it hurt just the same way it hurts a few weeks ago. It sometimes aches even if I am sitting and not walking. I have tried to "rest" it but "rest" is a hard thing to do when you live alone and still work for a living!
W2R, a broken toe after a sprained foot? Oh, my condolences! Are you in some kind of a cast for the toe?

Rest is hard even for a retiree! Yes, it has been a difficult summer for me as far as injuries and health goes. Now that I am completely moved in, I am hoping to have fewer injuries.

Marita40, although I heard a loud "POP!" when I hit my toe, and although it was bent about 45 degrees off normal, pointed towards my littlest toe, I couldn't see a doctor about it right away so I never had it x-rayed. I had to close on the house, deposit the huge certified check, and then Frank wanted to celebrate because it was his birthday and I had closed on the house, and so on. So, no doctor, no cast.

Instead, from that afternoon on I used adhesive tape and taped it to a "buddy toe" as the ER doctors always had with broken toes in the past. It didn't need to be forcefully set first, as they sometimes had to do before taping. I continued to tape it like that for a couple of weeks, and by that time it was pointing the right direction and the pain (while significant) wasn't extreme so I took the tape off and have been wearing snug socks at night to keep it from getting entangled with bedding, and never barefoot but instead with sandals during the day to keep it pointed straight forwards too.

I don't think it was badly broken because I have broken my toes many times when I was younger. IIRC it took longer than this to be able to walk easily on a broken toe. On the other hand, I can't imagine that it was not broken given the 45 degree angle. LOL I guess I was just lucky, plus being retired I have been (reluctantly) able to spend a lot of time sitting with my feet up since this happened in August. It still hurts although for the past week I have begun walking 1/3 mile each day. On Friday it hurt too much to do that, so this is about as much as I can do right now. Last night I walked 1/3 mile again, though, and it was fine.

So much sitting is not good for me, though. I am old enough that "use it or lose it" definitely seems to be kicking in and I don't like that fact.

 

[spncity]

Years ago I fell when I thought I was on the lowest step - but was not. Broke right elbow (not the point, but they called it elbow). Sprained left ankle.

Ankle brace for the foot. Three-and-a-half weeks in a cast for the elbow. Physical therapy three times a week (with pain meds!) to straighten the arm.

The ortho doc kept asking if I felt I needed physical therapy for the foot. It hurt a lot less than the elbow did, so I didn't think I needed PT and I thought it would be fine. And for the most part, it is.

But to this day, I wish I'd opted for physical therapy for the foot... for that little residual "something" that is still there.

So, in the future, I'll request that the specialist order the evaluation from a physical therapist.

YMMV.

Kindest regards.

 

[Marita40]

After nearly 9 weeks I finally have a diagnosis. Non-displaced fracture of the second metatarsal. It did not show up on the x-ray, but the MRI showed it. Ugh. Podiatrist says it is healing but I still have a lot of pain walking. Back to the ugly boot.

 

[easysurfer]

Ouch. Sorry to hear that you have a fracture. At least now you know what is the problem. Hang in there.

 

[W2R]

After nearly 9 weeks I finally have a diagnosis. Non-displaced fracture of the second metatarsal. It did not show up on the x-ray, but the MRI showed it. Ugh. Podiatrist says it is healing but I still have a lot of pain walking. Back to the ugly boot.

Oh! I am so sorry that you broke your foot. That is awful and it sounds terribly painful.

My toe is almost completely better by now; it has been exactly 9 weeks today since I broke it. It does sometimes ache a little if it is subjected to pressure in the wrong direction. But basically it has healed.

I spent a while not doing anything (doctor's orders), due to my recent cataract surgery. No lifting of anything over 25 pounds, no gym, no cardio activity, yardwork, or heavy housework permitted for the past three weeks, and even less permitted right after each of the surgeries. I think all the sitting helped my toe to heal too. I am hoping that seeing better will mean fewer foot injuries, falls, and other accidents, for me.

 

[Marita40]

The ugly boot is almost worse than the pain of walking. I would like to be doctor compliant but this is a hard one. I just ordered an ugly post-op sandal off amazon which will be lighter but still stiff-soled. At least I don't need surgery, so I guess I am grateful. . .

 

[W2R]

The ugly boot is almost worse than the pain of walking. I would like to be doctor compliant but this is a hard one. I just ordered an ugly post-op sandal off amazon which will be lighter but still stiff-soled. At least I don't need surgery, so I guess I am grateful. . .

The boot sounds awful! I hope the post-op sandal is a little better. I feel lucky that I can finally wear my New Balance running shoes without pain. Yes, it's good to not need surgery. Even my cataract surgery, which is very common and easily performed these days, scared me half out of my mind. I am so glad it is done and the outcome appears good.

 

[Car-Guy]

I would like to be doctor compliant but this is a hard one.

Been there, done that. See my earlier post...

 

[Marita40]

I'm feeling a little more assured today. I had a routine physical with my GP and she read the podiatrist's notes and confirmed that the fracture is not displaced, not moving, and sub-acute. It WILL heal with time, she told me. My GP is a lot more forthcoming than the podiatrist (who was rather vague and dour) so I almost feel like I've got a second opinion, or at least a confirmation. Meanwhile, I gave the boot another try and gave up. It hurts more to wear it than not. I have a stiff-soled pair of Merrill walking shoes--wonderful things--that are more than adequate. And the ugly sandal from amazon comes tomorrow.

Glad your eye surgery went well W2R. I sometimes have to stop and remember that I am grateful to live in a time with MRIs and routine cataract surgery. In fact, I kinda enjoyed my 1/2 hour in the MRI machine--except for the jackhammer sounds. Fascinating stuff!