Average time off for a sprained ankle?

The dr took some Xrays and confirmed there were no broken bones. Without an MRI he said he couldn't determine how much muscle/tendon damage there was, and my insurance would not approve an MRI.

My ankle was swollen the day after, and is still bruised. I would say it was a moderate sprain - not minor, but there don't seem to be any major complications like tearing, etc.

I sprained my ankle severely in February.  I got the same message from the ortho - without an MRI we can't tell, wait and see.  After a month of pain and very limited mobility, I went to a sports chrio.  I walked out of there in much less pain.  I continued to go and listened to instructions for coming back.  

I had a very bad high ankle sprain.  I was completely off running for about 2 months, but I kept light biking and swimming, mostly with a pull buoy.  At the 3 month mark I did a duathlon -- I had only ran the 3 mile race distance once, a week before the race.  It wasn't pretty, but I did ok.  I did my first try 4 months later - my endurance was gone, but I was able to complete the sprint.

Now, I'm nearly 7 months out.  I raced yesterday and didn't feel ankle pain, but it was sore afterwards. My run speed isn't back yet, but my endurance is so it will follow.

Sorry for the  long story - short story is to go see a sports chiro ASAP.  I had never seen a chiro before this injury, but will go much sooner next time.

Renee

Typically about 6 weeks for a bad sprain as far as running on it.  Typically you can bike/swim within 2 weeks.

Lots of R.I.C.E.-ing for the first few weeks.  Alternating hot/cold cycles help (always ending with cold).  The shower at the gym or two buckets work well for this.

Thanks for the suggestion. What did the chiro do that made your ankle feel better so quickly?

I appreciate your approximation so that I have a benchmark to go by. I was thinking 4-6 weeks myself, so I am glad we are in the same ballpark.

I actually purchased a aquajog belt that I am planning on trying out at the pool in the meantime so I don't lose too much cardiovascular running fitness.

It sounds like comparitively my sprain isn't quite as bad as yours. The bruising is limited to the ankle bone only and I was able to get off the crutches in 2 days. But you are tougher than me because I couldn't even imagine doing something as challenging to ankles as basketball only 3 weeks after a bad sprain!

There was lots of adjusting the bones and tendons in the foot and ankle to get them back into place.  Cross friction massage - this is a deep tissue massage on the tendon areas, it hurt while they were doing it but it felt so much better when I walked out their door.  Ultrasound to help the healing.  BTW - the chiro could tell what tendons were actually injured without the MRI.

Thanks for the link - very informative!

Did it look like this.?  I rolled it badly during Rugged Run for Respect going down a hill. I finished the race on it. Lots a compression.  TEDS stocking and elevation.  Some ice that first day but not much after that. 

I ran 2.75 miles 6 days later.  Slow and easy mainly because of the 1 inch splinter I ran into my heel from dragging foot on the deck hurt more.  3 days (today) later 5K slow.  I believe it would be call a severe Grd #2.   It ten days old and finally with a great deal of swelling out of it i feel its still stable and as long as I'm on a smooth surface its OK. 

Take the time.  I think I'm lucky with this one.  Big thing when you start to run if it gets worse stop. 

Dexter - WOW! Mine is nothing as bad as that. Thanks for putting it in perspective for me - here I was all bummed out about my injury when it could be so much worse.

And I won't feel guilty for only planning on taking a few weeks off from running (instead of a month or two)when some get right back on that horse...

I played basketball recreationally till well into my 50's.  So I've had every type of sprain imaginable - from ones that you can hobble around for a minute or two and continue playing, to the other extreme where I had my ankle in a cast for 6 weeks.  (It looked worse than that one in the picture above.)  It wasn't broken.  The Dr. just wanted to make sure it was immobile and secure so proper healing could take place.

So no one can say for certain how long yours will be.  Let it heal and don't push it.  It'll come back fine and you'll be out there strong as ever.

Bill

Thanks Bill. I have the day off from work today so I plan on taking a 2.5 mile walk and see how it goes. Expecting my aqua jog belt today also!

I definitely agree with that. One of the things that worries me the most is turning my ankle again thru doing the most mundane, innocuous tasks like getting out of bed in the morning. I tend to be a bit of a clutz!

Thanks for the responses everyone!

I just completed a 3.5 mile walk - the first real workout since the sprain happened a week ago. I was slow - - it took me 1.5 hrs - - but I finished! Tomorrow I will try the pool.

Best wishes for all of the other injured folks out there - quick healing!

In early April I sprained my ankle hiking, and then signed up for a half marathon at the end of June.  I mostly stayed off it for two weeks, but once I committed to the half, I started working out carefully.  I used Topricin on the ankle before and after every workout, wore an ace ankle brace, and mostly just race walked for about 6 weeks.  My race time wasn't great, but I had a good time! 

I'm a big fan of Topricin, and think all athletes should have it on hand.  It really speeds up healing. 

Good luck!  I hope you're back to running very soon!