OMG im in so much PAIN!?

I was in some 4inch heels and im already 5'7. I tripped and fell last night and my ankle is killing me ever since. i slept on it without doing anything, but everytime i moved it hurt. This morning it is not swollen, isnt discolored but it hurts so much. Is it sprained? how long til that goes away? i have ice on it, elevated, took some tylenol, but i dont know exactly what compression means. How can i tell whether this is a serious injury or not?

Pls dont suggest a doctor i have no insurance right now... altho if anyone has some good insurance suggestions for the future i would appreciate that too.

Ankle Sprain v.s. Strain

Strains are injuries that affect muscles or tendons, thick bands that attach muscles to bones. They occur in response to a quick tear, twist, or pull of the muscle. Strains are an acute type of injury that results from overstretching or over contraction. Pain, weakness, and muscle spasms are common symptoms experienced after a strain occurs.

Sprains are injuries that affect ligaments, thick bands of cartilage that attach bone to bone. They occur in response to a stretch or tear of a ligament. Sprains are an acute type of injury that results from trauma such as a fall or outside force that displaces the surrounding joint from its normal alignment. Sprains can range from a mild ligamentous stretch to a complete tear. Bruising, swelling, instability, and painful movement are common symptoms experienced after a sprain occurs.

RICE is the acronym used for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. It is used as the best initial treatment of soft tissue injuries such as sprains, strains, and contusions. The combination of RICE helps reduce inflammation that occurs after acute injury. It is important to remember that the earlier this treatment is put into place, the more effective it is.

Rest: Rest and protect the injured area. If it hurts to bear weight on the injury, use crutches, or a cane.

Ice: Apply ice to the injury. The cold will reduce swelling and pain at the injured site. This step should be done as soon as possible. Apply the frozen object to the area for 20 minutes three times a day for the first 48 hours.

Compression: Compress the injured site. This will decrease swelling of the injured region. Although the wrap should be snug, make sure it is not too tight as this can cause numbness, tingling, or increased pain.

Elevation: Elevate the injured area above the level of the heart as much as possible. This technique will also assist in reducing the amount of swelling to the injured site.

Once the pain and swelling are eliminated, you should start gradual range of motion exercises but not to the point of pain. Each day your range of motion will increase slightly. Continue until you have complete range of motion. Than start gentle strengthening exercises to re-build the strength in the ankle.

The stiffness will go away over time.

Good Luck

See http://www.coldoneinc.com/ankle_wrap.htm...

its probably a severe to mild ankle sprain, maybe even a high ankle sprain
for the most part i think you'll start feeling better in a couple of days and in about 2 weeks - 3 weeks you'll be back to normal

Just stay off of it. If you broke it, I'm sure you would know. But if it is broken, it might need a cast so your bones don't heal all weird. Probably just sprained, twisted or bruised though. Just keep doing what you're doing and ibuprofen helps reduce swelling if it swells because unlike tylenol which is a systemic pain killer, ibuprofen is more of an anti-inflamaory.

It sounds like you have torn a ligament in your ankle. You see, a ligament is what connects the bone to your muscles, so when you "tear" one, there will be little, if any discolouration to the affected area!
Here's what you need to do!
Find a tensor bandage!!! (Those elastic bandages you put around your wrists and ankle when you get a sprain).
Now what compression means, it "To apply pressure to the affected area".
This means wrapping your ankle with the bandage, but not too tightly, as to cut off circulation to your foot.
Placing an icepack will only dull the pain from this injury, as will tylenol.
You need to stay off your foot until the ligament has time too heal. This could take a week or two.
Obviously, your still going to have to be mobile, so find yourself a pair of crutches. (Mabye a Friend has a pair laying around, or you could call you hospital and see how much a cheap pair would be. A cane will work, but not as good).
Remember, the more you trot around on your foot, the longer it will take too heal, so don't go running any marathons!!
Hope you get well soon
;)

Rest, elevate on pillows so it lays above the heart level, compression means to wrap in an ace wrap to give support but not so tight as to cut off circullation and put ice on it today. If it is not better, you will need to have it seen by a MD and possibly x-rays. Broken bones don't always swell - cracked bones either. Stay off of it and let it heal - borrow some crutches. Make sure they fit right - The top should not rest on your armpit - about a fist of room between the armpit and top of the crutch. Hands should be comfortable to hold your weight. BE CAREFUL. Some not-for-profit hospitals have charity assistance - for under or un- insured patients. There is help out there but you may have to call around to find it and it may involve some paperwork but it is better than a hugemangous bill. Motrin every 6 hours per package directions for the swelling or pain. If the toes get blue, cold, numb - seek ED immediately. Impaired circullation or nerve function should not wait for treatment. If not better by tomorrow - seek evaluation.

for the numerous sprains i have had, wrap it in a ace bandage and i put ice packs on 10 mins every hour. wrap packs in towel to prevent frost bite. i do this for the first 24 to 48 hours. then after the 48 hours, soak in warm epsom salt water 15 miins 3 to 4 times a day. good luck and i hope you feel better

You know when I broke my finger, I felt like I was going to
vomit. You will honestly know if you really broke it. Can't
tell you without an x-ray what the problem may be.
Do you know of a place that takes payments? Start
on the phone-call some health depts. that may be a start
for you.

probs a sprain.....try puttin an ace bandage on it and wrappin it up