I broke my ankle several months ago, and it's finally been feeling normal. But this past Sunday I?

went to my karate class to stretch with them for the first time since my injury, and in the afternoon I went on a walking tour. When I woke up monday morning, I had a lot of pain and swelling from my heel to the back of my ankle. It's a little better today, but it's still very painful when I walk on it. Did I reinjure it, or just overuse it? I went back to wearing the walking boot because it's the only way I feel stable on it.

I know I should ask a professional, but I don't want to go to the dr. or the ER if I don't have to.

More than likely you did too much too soon after coming back from the injury. Wearing the boot can help calm down the inflammation, as can taking an over the counter anti-inflammatory (Aleve, Advil, etc), placing an ice bag directly on the skin for 15 mins, and elevating the foot above the level of the heart. Do all this for 2-3 days...if your symptoms do not decrease then you should go see a doctor because you may have a re-injury. If you did not have physical therapy to rehab the ankle then you should because the ankle would be weak and unstable after breaking it.

Thanks to all who commented. I didn't get back in time to select a best answer, but the voters chose what I would have picked anyway. As it turns out, it was overuse, and a few days of rest were all I needed to start progressing again. Report It

Well I want to say that you reinjured it, but I'm not sure. You really should just go ask a doctor about it.

You definitely overused it. I played soccer and did that to my ankles all the time (overusing them) after an injury....
Just elevate it and maybe put some ice on it!! Take it easy! Probably the walking tour did it for you!

you have overused it ..it takes months to heal from a broken ankle................

I think you overuse it. Try to let it heal for 2 weeks at least.

your fine i have the same problome with my knee and all you have to do it keep iceing it when your home like 20 min. on and 10 15 off. and you might want to wrap it or something like that butt good luck and dont worry about it!! :)

depends on if it's muscle pain or bone pain, also what type of injury? clean break or a compressed bone injury?

you probably just overworked it. but I suggest taking it easy and call your doctor if you're not feeling better in the next day or so.

sounds to me like you just need to rest it. i think you did to much. i know it's probly rough for you to not be able to use it the way you normally would, but remember it is injured. It will take time. I would take it easy for awhile and put some ice one it. when it starts feeling better again, take it slowly. do some streches and stuff just keep it simple.

You're sore because you are using an area that has been injured. You need to gently reintroduce yourself to activity. You probably can also benefit from PT so you're recovery will be quicker. Easily return to activity and you'll be in better shape in no time.