Anyone know anything about ankle sprains/swelling?

i sprained my ankle 4 weeks ago,followed the rice procedure and have had physio etc, problem is although my ankle seems perfect the swelling is still there,not as bad as earlier but it won't go.
i has xray all ok and i follow foot raised /ice etc.help?
i am athlete and need to get back asap.

Does it hurt?
If not ...you should be OK to get back to playing sports. Take it easy at first. Buy a ankle brace if your sport involves jumping, or making quick direction changes. The best kind is a brace with plastic molds on each side. These will prevent you from rolling your ankle again. Make sure you warm up and stretch thoroughly before playing. & R.I.C.E. after the game.
Is your ankle warm to touch? If not... The "swelling" could be a bit of scar tissue. After many sprains, my ankles are not as tiny as they once were.

Run through it!

I would go and see a sports physiotherapist. They're very well trained in these things and can advise you on exercise...how much and when etc.

It is unusual that it is still swollen. I'm wondering how much time you keep your leg elevated? You should do this at EVERY opportunity.

Hope that helps.

I recently sprained my ankle and for six weeks was wearing a tubi grip and taking nurofen for the anti inflamitory aspect on the advice of my doctor but it was a good six weeks before the swelling went right down

does the ankle still hurt,
If not just put some strapping on it and run a short distance to see if it is OK.
gradually increse the distance

Try some ankle strengthening exercises to help make it fitter.
My ankle still has swelling after 4 years but doesnt hurt, but then I am nearly 60!

it is just fluid around the joint.

if there is still swelling don't run on it because you could injure again badly. Lie down and put a couple of pillows on it so that it is above your heart, then ice it for a good 20 minutes a couple of times a day. Take advil for the imflamation too.

I would go see a specialist just to make sure that there is nothing wrong still. Even if it doesn't hurt you still want to be careful because you could do more, and possibly permanent damage. And trust me, that's no fun.

if your an athlete why rush what nature does best, your not a racehorse. let your body heal itself through time. i'm a labourer i've cracked 2 ribs in work and carried on working being a macho man. i'm 35 now and the slightest knock can put me out of action for a week!. every action has an inverse and equal reaction. your body is a tool, a tradesman always looks after his tools.

Sprains,strains can take a long time till its gets better at all.You must remember when you do this sort off injury you also pull the surrounding tissues,muscles etc so this needs time too to get bck to normal.Swelling can take mths before it goes down.To help the recovery swimming is very good for sprains and fractures,or go to a physio for treatment.Good Luck

What you really need is patience. If everything is ok, then let the swelling subside naturally. Do you realy need to get back to training sooner than is necessary ( and run the risk of further spraining/elongating ligament, functionally unstable ankle for many many months, or even a fracture that has to be pinned/plated)?