Why Does My Ankle Still Hurt Months After I Sprained It?

Dr. Larry Huppin completed an exclusive fellowship in sports medicine, orthotics and biomechanics and has since become a leading national authority on these subjects. He has practiced podiatric medicine in Seattle for over 20 years and has a special interest in helping patients achieve complete relief of their ankle and foot problems without resorting to surgery.

We are located at:
Foot & Ankle Center of Washington
600 Broadway, Suite 220
Seattle, WA 98122
206-344-3808

[jennaunderhill]

I Broke my ankle 3years ago on a trampoline. I went straight to the hospital but they said it was just a sprain and sent me off with crutches. I went to my physio a week later as I was still in major pain he referred me to an MRI as something wasn't right. The MRI shows that i had 2, 75% torn ligaments, a fracture in my ankle and I had practically snapped my growth plate in 2. (Pretty bad injury you could say) I was put in a cast for 8 weeks and after this it still wasn't healed so a moon boot for another 10 weeks. After this I still couldn't walk and I had been in major pain for 18weeks. I went for another MRI and nothing but one of the fractures to my ankle was healed and infact the 2 ligaments were now completely torn though. I was booked in for surgery which ment another 5weeks in a cast. After this and a shit load of rehab.. 2 years later my ankle is about 90% although it will never be fully healed. Big journey from when the hospital thought I was fine on day 1.

[Iceobelisk]

I badly sprained my ankle my Freshman year of High school in track. My ankle went sideways and turned inwards... I still have major pain in my foot around that area.... I'm now a Junior and I'm having pain in that same area still to this day.... This happened two years ago and it still feels like how it felt when I sprained it. I quit track this year to avoid anymore pain and possibly making it worse... I'm lucky to say I didn't break my ankle at all....

[dizify]

Thanks Doc I really needed to see that video, I injured my ankle running

[yashwanthr]

Very helpful! gave me confidence in restoring my ankle strength after injury.
Thanks a lot!

[mikulover]

I sprained my ankle 6 years ago. I never recover it from it. I have already visited an orthopedic, physical therapist, and chiropractor. Nothing has work so far. I can still run 5 miles or so, but this usually causes my ankle up toward my knee to get swollen the next day.

[johncarlo]

I sprained my ankle when i was 15 yrs old, I'm 26 now but i still feel the pain sometimes when i play basketball with my friends.

[valtrax]

I sprained my ankle years ago and I still experience pains randomly

[hayleybusby]

I think with sprained ankles people think they are making a fuss if the seek medical help when it is "only a sprained ankle". I did the same when I did it last year...now six months down the line and still in pain. After a bit of research on the internet I am booked in to see a physiotherapist who is going to scan the ankle to see what is wrong. He said the problem with sprained ankles is people carry on as normal and don't treat it. When I did injury it I heard a crack but as I could walk (well limp) on it I thought it was ok. There was a lot of swelling and bruising but that is normal with a sprain. I was out walking my dog after a few days (very slowly!!) Now still in pain I hope I haven't left it too late.

[elizagal]

Well that’s more helpful and optimistic than I’ve gotten in two years. Three podiatrist’s, no healing. I’ll check your website. Thank you

[wtfomg]

Wow, i have been looking for this exact thing. sometimes can be really hard finding the correct medical term. thanks!

[babyriri]

Sprained my very first ankle at 26 years old. Turned out to be an avulsion fracture, so was in a boot for 6 weeks, did PT, had some plantar fasciitis afterward, but that slowly went away. Feels like I never sprained it to this day. Sprained the opposite ankle a year later, they just told me to be in a boot for 2 weeks and I had a grade 2 tear in 3 ligaments. Xrays showed no fracture. Go back for another X-ray weeks later, turns out, I had an avulsion fracture, they didn’t tell me to be in a boot. 2 years later, it’s still incredibly terrible. Can’t walk for long or stand for long without soreness and stiffness. Surgeons said I dont need surgery based on my MRI, so I did my first PRP injection with regenexx a week ago. Praying this is all I need. This will be my third time doing PT on this ankle.

[katahdinorbust]

Thank you for this rather informative video. Slipped in the snow about 2 months ago & need a stable ankle for my Appalachian Trail thru-hike in 2019. I will get that brace (had one as a teen) & will check out your site for some of those balance exercises. Thanks Doc!

[tenancingogarcia]

ankle brace work's pretty good thank you

[ES]

I sprained my ankle years ago and it still appears swollen even though it doesn't hurt. Weird stuff

[kushagrabehal]

thank you....this video is really helpful

[monstermayank]

I sprained my ankle exactly like your showed in the video, its over 8 months now and still has inflammation and While I can walk properly but the extreme ends of the range of motion of the ankle are not achievable and cause pain, like sitting in squat position or climbing high stairs. After looking at the MRI the doctor suggested my ultrasound therapy for 20 days which didn't help at all. two days back I was given an injection of what they referred to as "Depo" might by a short form of some medicine in the ankle and right now it is inflammation more than before. Can you please help me out in it as I am from India and cannot possibly visit your clinic.

[marvlsp]

I have this injury (going on about a year now). I wear a brace for running and just deal with the pain afterwards. I realize I am getting older (47) and being ex army...well i just have old army bones. I refuse to stop running and working out. I take aleve and just wear my brace daily. It stays somewhat swollen all the time. I just deal with it. It is still as hell in the morning and loosens up by mid morning.

[yolanda]

Sprained my ankle 3 years ago! Only hurt for about a week. About a year ago it began to hurt!!!! Now I can hardly walk. My doctor still has not put a brace or anything on my ankle, just therapy which made it hurt even worse!!! Since I began going to the dr, it now hurts 24/7. Time for a new dr.

[thewanderer]

I sprained my ankle about 40 days ago and in sleep(if that's even possible). The morning after I woke up, the pain was excruciating and couldn't bear any weight at all. Saw a doctor and nothing showed in the xrays. Now after 40 days, my ankle is still swollen maybe not as much as before and the pain around the ankle from left to right is still there, I can walk but cannot run or walk down a flight of stairs normally. Please help me

[CrazieFrogz]

Thank you. My pcp did all kinds of xrays & found nothing. I hurt my foot so bad back when i was 17 & wasn't taken to er until that next day They had to reset my foot & nothing been the same since. I was in cask for longer then 3 months & no physical therapy. In bad situation then.. But i need to get my ankle pain under control it is effecting my excerises routine & not helping loose weight that i need. Bring this up to my pcp & see a specialist now. Thank you