Sprained ankle during weird fall in powder this AM

[Captain Furious]

Has anyone ever sprained their ankle during a fall while skiing? It happened to me this AM. I was on the wrong skis for the conditions and I'm kicking myself in the ass b/c this is a a rare NE powder day. Anyway, took a weird fall and felt the sprain as it occurred. Can walk with some degree of gingerness, while being careful. Way too painful to ski on. How long does a sprain normally take to heal? This sucks!

Bill

 

[Mike Thomas]

When I was 20 sprains took a couple of days to fade away. A little after 30 it became a week or two. Now? Now I just say "well, I guess I have a limp now, might as well get used to it".

 

[chris_the_wrench]

Im not sure if there is a doctor definition of sprained ankle, but Ive tweaked some tendons in my lower ankle/upper foot when skiing. Couple times, usually involving a single ski tip ‘caught’ in crud/pow and my body mass traveling another direction. I usually bounce back after a couple days. Ice helped me. Don’t rush it, let it heal so it doesnt linger.

I broke my foot in a ski boot, that REALLY sucked. Knocked me out for that season and the next.

-Chris

 

[Pequenita]

How long does a sprain normally take to heal?

Depends on how severe it is. Technically, sprains include ligament tears, on the extreme side.

 

[Captain Furious]

Pretty sure that it's a grade 1.

Bill

 

[Jenny]

Mine was technically a sprain - nice high grade one that involved tearing all sorts of soft tissue and requiring surgery. I posted this pic and was told by an ER ski diva to get myself to the doctor at once!

 

[raytseng]

Every person is different. but i do suggest you look for detailed sprain recovery protocol for your specific sprain on web and follow it.

Especially when you move into the rebuild and PT and exercise phase, recovery time there may depend on your effort and care.

 

[Captain Furious]

Thanks, everyone. I'm starting out with just rest for today and tomorrow. Ibuprofen and elevation today. I hope it starts feeling better within the next few days. Thankfully, my ankle doesn't look like Jenny's, so I'm not overly concerned. Just some very minor bruising. But I'm bummed out that I missing out on a first big storm cycle of the year.

Bill

 

[Kyle]

You should definitely be icing it as well. Sprains are obviously less common in skiing than some other sports since the ski boot provides a lot of support to the ankle area. The few times I have done it it felt like kind of a “pull sprain” (I doubt that is an actual medical term) where the tail of my ski caught on the snow when I was sliding after a fall). If you can walk on it now I would bet you can ski on it in a few days—thought not without some pain. Good luck.

 

[Andy Mink]

R.I.C.E.
Rest, ice, compression, elevation.

 

[BS Slarver]

R.I.C.E.
Rest, ice, compression, elevation.

^ This and a couple, er, many vodka tonics.

With a NE storm cycle bringing more on Friday and a name like captain furious, I don’t think you’ll be down long !

Edit : might of left it in the boot so you’d be ready to get back after it !

 

[Andy Mink]

^ This and a couple, er, many vodka tonics.

With a NE storm cycle bringing more on Friday and a name like captain furious, I don’t think you’ll be down long !

Edit : might of left it in the boot so you’d be ready to get back after it !

So RICE is Rest, IBU, Cocktails, Enthusiasm?

 

[Jenny]

Thankfully, my ankle doesn't look like Jenny's, so I'm not overly concerned. Just some very minor bruising.

Glad to hear that! Good luck with the healing . . .

 

[Captain Furious]

Thanks, everybody! I ended up sitting on the couch, working, while my 16yo and his best friend poached pow lines all day. I'm very jealous! I'm sure there is a lesson here somewhere... if I look hard enough...

bill

 

[Jwrags]

The most difficult part will be getting back in the ski boot, even after it feels better.

 

[Pequenita]

Thanks, everybody! I ended up sitting on the couch, working, while my 16yo and his best friend poached pow lines all day. I'm very jealous! I'm sure there is a lesson here somewhere... if I look hard enough...

Nah. Sometimes things just suck. Hoping for a speedy recovery for you!

 

[Fuller]

I feel your pain - but somehow the pain is in my lower back and not my ankle. Either way it sucks to be sitting around inside while others are endangering their lives and having fun.

 

[KingGrump]

I'm sure there is a lesson here somewhere... if I look hard enough

I had a friend who sprained his ankle skiing STH at Snowbird during the 2014 gathering. He attributed the injury to the boots not fitting well enough.

Check the fit of your boots. Especially around the ankles. A binding check would be a good idea also.
A properly fitted boot should eliminate most movements within the boot that will result in an ankle sprain.

 

[Andy Mink]

He attributed the injury to the boots not fitting well enough.

My wife suffered a broken tib/fib probably partially due to ill-fitting boots. The tibia sustained a rotational fracture just above the ankle.

 

[KingGrump]

My wife suffered a broken tib/fib probably partially due to ill-fitting boots. The tibia sustained a rotational fracture just above the ankle.