What's Going on in My Sprained Foot?

Hello, All:

I am in mid-fourties and male, and I tripped over a rope four weeks ago
and fell and got my right foot sprained. The pain in the first few
minutes was excruciating, and after a short while, I could walk very
painfully with very short steps.

I first thought the pain would probably be gone after one night of
sleep, and it did NOT, and the entire foot got swollen, and I could
hardly put it into my shoe.

I then visited my primary care physician who suggested that I have it
X-rayed, which I did, and then see an orthopedicist with the X-ray.
However, the appointment with the orthopedicist was NOT until SEVEN
days after my accident. And by this time, the swell had nearly
disappeared, and the pain was much weak and I could walk much better.
So I decided to cancel the appointment with the orthopedicist.

Beginning from the THIRD week, however, it seemed the improvement came
to a standstill. I could walk nearly normally, and in the middle of the
back of the foot there appeared to be a small ridge, and the middle
section of the back was still visibly swollen--by comparing to the good
left foot. There was still pain if I attempted actions more than unsual
walk.

Now it is FOUR weeks since the injury. I may or may not have
experienced further improvement in the fourth week, though sometimes I
felt as if I was getting better, but then the slight pain and swell are
still there, and it is not capable of as much mobility as my good left
foot.

Now the question. According to your experience and/or knowledge, does
this sound like a normal case of sprained foot in the course of FOUR
weeks? Could there be bone fracture? Should I visit the orthopedicist
after all?

(Though I have medicial insurances, it is not a pleasant thing to see a
doctor as it takes lots of time and travel and also copayments.)

Thanks for reading and replying!

--Roland

qquito wrote:
> Hello, All:
>
> I am in mid-fourties and male, and I tripped over a rope four weeks ago
> and fell and got my right foot sprained. The pain in the first few
> minutes was excruciating, and after a short while, I could walk very
> painfully with very short steps.
>

A sprain is really a tear. In some ways it's worse than a bone
fracture, which you almost certainly do not have. It can take months to
fully recover and it may be weaker forever. You need to wait until you
can use it and then tape it heavily to start. Go easy and avoid
mis-stepping. Cross country courses are more injury prone than a flat
surface.