Persistent Ankle Swelling After Injury: Seeking Solutions
Hello everyone! I have an unusual question, but bear with me. I’m a 30-year-old female, and I sustained an injury to my right ankle on June 1st. I was attempting to carry a suitcase down a flight of stairs after arriving on the east coast from Hawaii—a decision I now realize wasn’t the best. Afterward, I visited the emergency room, where they diagnosed it as a sprain. A follow-up with my orthopedic specialist, however, revealed an avulsion fracture alongside a mid-grade partial tear of the anterior fibular tibial ligament (AFTL) through x-rays and an MRI. Since that incident, I've been attending physical therapy sessions twice a week. While I’m managing to navigate around my apartment without much trouble, venturing outside has become quite cumbersome. I have a history of ankle sprains, but the severity of this injury has taken me by surprise—this time it swelled significantly, more than it usually does, which typically just results in some bruising. I’m worried about my slower recovery. Lately, I’ve noticed after sitting for extended periods, particularly during events like baseball games, my ankle tends to swell considerably. I try to stay active by walking around my apartment at least once every hour, even if it's just small trips to the kitchen. Despite propping my ankle while at the game and using a knee scooter to navigate the long walk, the swelling still occurred, accompanied by increased pain. I even took it out of the brace while seated and applied ice, but it didn’t seem to help much. Does anyone have suggestions for preventing this swelling? I would appreciate any advice you can offer!
Answers (1)
7/14/2025, 1:20:40 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're dealing with quite a challenging recovery process after your ankle injury, and it's understandable to be concerned about the persistent swelling. Managing swelling after an ankle injury is important for your recovery, and there are several steps you can take to alleviate this issue.
Summary of Main Points:
- Persistent swelling and discomfort after an ankle injury is common, particularly when sitting for extended periods.
- You can take proactive steps to reduce swelling, improve mobility, and potentially enhance your recovery process.
Explanation: After sustaining an ankle injury, it's not unusual to experience swelling, especially if you have a history of sprains. The body responds to injury with inflammation, which can cause swelling that might last longer with more severe injuries like an avulsion fracture and ligament tear. While some swelling is normal, particularly after physical activities or long periods of inactivity, there are ways to mitigate its effects.
Prioritized Next Steps:
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Elevate Your Ankle: Aim to elevate your injured ankle above the level of your heart for 15-30 minutes several times a day. This can help reduce swelling by encouraging fluid to drain back towards your upper body.
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Compression: Consider wearing a compression wrap or sock (as recommended by your healthcare provider) which can help control swelling. Make sure it’s snug but not too tight—it shouldn't cause any numbness or increased pain.
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Movement Breaks: Continue with your hourly movement breaks; however, try incorporating gentle ankle movements or exercises agreed upon by your physical therapist to help maintain circulation without overstraining the ankle.
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Ice Application: Continue to use ice after activities or when swelling increases. Apply ice for 15-20 minutes, making sure to wrap it in a cloth to protect your skin, especially after moments of increased activity or swelling.
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Pain Management: Use over-the-counter medications as directed, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, to help with pain and inflammation. Be sure to follow dosage guidelines.
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Posture Awareness: When sitting for long periods, try to keep your foot elevated or change positions frequently to avoid prolonged pressure and improve circulation.
If your swelling continues to be significant or if you experience worsening pain or changes in color or temperature in your foot, it would be wise to reach out to your orthopedic specialist for further evaluation.
Remember, recovery can be gradual and it's important to be patient with your body during this time. Let me know if you need more specific tips or advice!
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# 7-Month-Old Child with Abernethy Malformation - Exploring Treatment Options ## [7-Month-Old] Identified with Abernethy Malformation (Congenital Portosystemic Shunt) - Treatment Methods? **Age:** 7 months **Gender:** Female **Height:** Age-appropriate **Weight:** Currently 9 kg, was 2.8 kg at birth **Ethnicity:** Asian **Duration of Symptoms:** Present since birth **Location:** Uzbekistan **Pre-existing Health Issues:** Abernethy malformation (congenital portosystemic shunt), liver hemangiomas, chronic jaundice, anemia **Current Treatments:** Supportive management --- ## INITIAL PRESENTATION (June 2025 - July 2025) Our daughter arrived on **June 27, 2025**, presenting with: - Birth weight: **2.8 kg** - Marked jaundice (yellowing of skin and sclera) - Pale or clay-colored stools - **Bilirubin level: 245 μmol/L** (typically <20) An immediate ultrasound indicated multiple liver anomalies, initially thought to be hemangiomas. --- ## FIRST COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT (August 1, 2025 - 1 Month Old) ### Multislice Computed Tomography (MSCT) with 3-Phase Contrast (August 1, 2025): **RESULTS:** - 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