how do i know if i sprained my foot

Another way to tell the difference between a broken foot and sprained foot is the sound the body makes when the injury occurs. We are continuing this process to ensure that the site remains up-to-date regarding updated guidelines.We are continually seeking solutions that will bring all areas of the site up to the same level of overall web accessibility. A fracture requires treatment and immobilization right away. A sprained foot involves stretching or tearing the ligaments of your foot. you cannot put weight on the injury or use it normally. Most sprained ankles involve injuries to the ligaments on the outer side of the ankle. Sprains occur most commonly in the ATF (anterior talofibular) ligament because it runs along the outside of your ankle. Toe changes color to bluish-purple. Keep your foot elevated and uncovered. A popping sound at the moment of injury may be evidence of a fracture. Chronic strains occur due to overuse. Numbness. Circle the foot arch slowly while pulling the bandage in a figure pattern. We offer a variety of services to help you and your family in your time of need. Wrap the area with bandage using a "figure-eight" pattern around the ankle. Dont delay treatment. An ankle sprain is one of the most common injuries. The best form of treatment will depend on the severity of the fracture, and may include: The recovery time will vary on the severity of the injury and whether you have any underlying health issues such as diabetes, anemia, low vitamin D levels, or hypothyroidism. , Rest. Walking barefoot or in flip flops can make your sprain worse. Was there a popping or snapping sound? Limit physical activities that may cause stress to the sprain (no running, jumping, exercising). Hold the loose end in place. Once achieved, move to level 2. 2022 Complete Care. Youll also need crutches to stay off the injured foot while you heal. If you have a sprained toe : A mild sprain can be treated with home remedies, such as icing the injured area for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, taking time to rest, and keeping the foot elevated. A sprain is like a rubber band pulled and stretched too tightly, causing tears along the surface, making it unstable. Here are some examples, and if these apply to you, make sure that you visit the best podiatrist in Merrick, Cherrywood Foot Care. While a sprain mainly affects the ligaments of the foot, a fracture takes place when a bone is partially or completely broken. I can put weight on it, but when I try to walk it hurts anytime I move my toes. If it is not too painful to walk on your ankle immediately after an injury its a good sign that you dont have severe ligament or bone damage. However, common denominators include: Pain around the arch of the foot Bruising, swelling, and tenderness Limping and additional pain when you try to bear your body weight A severe ankle sprain typically causes severe signs, which may be similar to those seen with an ankle fracture. Apply some tension and wrap the rolled bandage around your foot and over the loose end. For tips on treating a sprained ankle from our podiatry co-author, read on! Foot or ankle deformity and unbearable pain usually indicate ankle fractures. Ligaments are tough bands of tissue that stabilize joints and help prevent excessive movement. In a minor sprain, swelling will usually go away in a few days. Bruising around the inside or outside of the foot or ankle. how can i stop it from swelling? The swelling may also worsen when you are walking or running. Ensure to eat a healthy diet to keep your muscles strong. Monday: 9 a.m. 9 p.m. Tuesday: 9 a.m. 9 p.m. Wednesday: 9 a.m. 5 p.m. Thursday: 9 a.m. 9 p.m. Friday: 9 a.m. 5 p.m. Saturday: 8 a.m. 1 p.m. Sunday: Closed, Podiatry in Massapequa Cryotherapy Long Island. Make sure to use crutches and go to your doctor immediately. How soon can you walk on a sprained foot? In general, a broken foot tends to be more painful than a sprained foot, and the pain lasts longer.Bruising, swelling, and tenderness are also more severe if your foot is broken. Wrap the injured foot in a compression bandage to prevent swelling. What happens if a sprain is left untreated? Another way to tell the difference between a broken foot and sprained foot is the sound the body makes when the injury . I finished the 0.4 mile run with a little foot pressure, but nothing out of the ordinary for a stable foot. In the meantime, should you experience any difficulty in accessing the Complete Emergency Care website, please contact [emailprotected]. Is it an ankle sprain vs break or sprained foot vs broken foot. you have muscle spasms or cramping - where your muscles painfully tighten on their own. How long should I stay off a sprained ankle? How To Know If Foot Is Broken Or . This website helped a lot, thank you so much! Symptoms can include: Black and blue marks at the sight of the injury. Click here to learn more. In the case of a severe sprain, you may not be able to put any weight on the ankle at all, or use that foot to stand. Walk or put weight on your sprained foot as long as it does not hurt. Compression, or wrapping the injured or sore area with an elastic bandage (such as an Ace wrap), will help decrease swelling. The difference between a sprain and a strain is that a sprain injures the bands of tissue that connect two bones together, while a strain involves an injury to a muscle or to the band of tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone. Possible bruising of the ankle. Pain with movement or activity over the affected site. How To Tell If My Foot or Ankle Injury Is Serious? Is it a sprained ankle vs broken ankle? Support wikiHow by In one foot, you have over 100 ligaments. , Compress. By taking this quiz you can figure out if your ankle is broken, sprained, or just a little bruised. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Rest: All ankle sprains require rest. You may need to use tape or an elastic bandage to support your foot if you have a mild sprain. You can't walk on the ankle. ", "I found out that I got a minor stage 1 sprain and I was very happy with how helpful the article was.". Pain with movement or activity over the affected site. Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort. Once You Can Walk Without Pain Re. This can be felt on the bottom, top, or sides of the foot. with grade III's still go to a doctor as soon as possible. However, common denominators include: A foot sprain will be diagnosed by taking x-rays of the injured foot. Common symptoms include: Swelling, often substantial. You may need to use crutches if it hurts to put weight on your foot. Hold the rolled bandage in one hand and the loose end in the opposite hand. The time it takes to recover from a midfoot sprain depends on the severity of the injury. A sprained ankle occurs when the ligaments are forced beyond their normal range of motion. You should make a doctors appointment after a foot injury if: you feel pain in your foot for most of the day and its been a few weeks since your injury. If your doctor gave you a splint or immobilizer, wear it as directed. Do you need crutches for a Grade 3 sprained ankle? It can also detect loose pieces of bone, which can cause pain. Sprains should be immobilized quickly, with the ankle ligaments in a stable position. The ankle allows the foot to move up and down and side-to-side. Still, a sprain can happen even while walking normally. Thats the very short answer. The term "sprain" refers to overstretching or tearing of ligaments the strong, fibrous bands of tissue that hold the bones together within the joints. If the injury is more severe (e.g., if you have a torn ligament), you should tape the injured toe to the toe next to it and wear a walking boot. Once a diagnosis has been confirmed, treatment will depend on the type of sprain. Ligaments help stabilize joints, preventing excessive movement. Depending on the severity of the injury, she advises patients to avoid any impact on the injured ankle, including running and other athletic pursuits, for four-to-six weeks before gradually working up to previous levels. This is done to confirm whether its a sprain or a fracture, as well as to determine the severity of the injury. If you were given crutches, use them as directed. How do you tell if your heel is sprained? With a broken foot, however, you would have heard a cracking sound that may have been louder and more obvious. % of people told us that this article helped them. Make sure to use crutches and go to your doctor immediately. [1] If you have a broken toe, you can usually still walk and not be in too much pain. For a grade II sprain, you will need to use crutches and an ankle brace for a while to walk. your pain worsens over time. 2. This will cause an injury because when you get tired, your muscles relax and do something wrong that will injure you. Strains affect muscles and tendons and can be acute or chronic. In general, a broken foot tends to be more painful. But, a sprain that doesn't heal properly may lead to ongoing pain or swelling. Grade 3 foot sprains can take up to 3 months to heal. When you sprain your ankle, it means you have stretched, and possibly even torn, the ligaments of your ankle. Swelling or Redness. Have severe pain or swelling. Limping and additional pain when you try to bear your body weight, Possibly hearing a cracking sound when the bone breaks, Intense pain that worsens with physical activity, Manipulating the bones to align them properly, Taking time off sports and other strenuous activities, Surgery which is required only in the most severe cases. It's worth the laugh. Grade 1: The ankle will likely be less swollen and tender at the site of the ligament injury. Sprains come in many forms. Develop the tech skills you need for work and life. Start slowly and gradually build up your distance and endurance. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 981,662 times. I was told by the ER doc that this would take six weeks to heal . To that end we have recently reviewed our entire website to identify non-compliant elements or documents and to bring them into compliance. However, while the wait-and-seeapproach is common, it could result in complications of your injury if youve sprained or broken your foot. Signs your ankle is broken include pain, swelling and bruising, accompanied by pale skin, inability to move the toes, and numbness. How to Know if Your Ankle Is Sprained or Broken Your ankle is the meeting place for three bones: the tibia, fibula, and talus. Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that connect and stabilize your bones. Get in touch with us if the pain persists! Sprains usually occur when you suddenly twist your foot and overstretch your ligaments. Grade II sprains can take 6 to 8 weeks to heal and may require additional treatments like a splint. Once the inflammation alleviates, the recovery efforts concentrate on regaining back the strength of intrinsic and . If you see any evidence of a moderate to severe fracture or a grade III sprain, you must see a doctor. Yet, these injuries can be differentiated by the part of the foot thats been damaged. Walking with a limp. Overall, the telltale signs include: Just as with sprains, your doctor will take x-rays of your foot to confirm the diagnosis and determine the extent of the injury. Treatments Are Different. This article was co-authored by Lee-Hsin Fang, DPM. These sprains often heal on their own with minimal treatment and simply allowing adequate time for recovery. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. It's likely to be a sprain or strain if: you have pain, tenderness or weakness - often around your ankle, foot, wrist, thumb, knee, leg or back. For tips on treating a sprained ankle from our podiatry co-author, read on! It's been about half an hour and my ankle does hurt, but not as much as the top of my foot, like going down from the pinky toe. No, I have to be different. Generally, a mild to moderate fracture should heal in approximately eight weeks. A ligament is the fibrous, connective tissue that attaches to bones and joints. If you were moving at a very high speed (e.g., skiing or running at top speed), there is a chance your injury is a bone fracture. By using our site, you agree to our. An x-ray will be able to assist in differentiating a sprain form a fracture. Part 1 Recognizing the Symptoms of a Broken Foot 1 Note if it is too painful to walk on your foot. Try to splint your ankle so it's set in a normal anatomical position. Have it evaluated by a professional and get the appropriate treatment. If you notice the symptoms of a more severe sprain, you should see your healthcare provider for treatment. Apply ice on your foot for 15 to 20 minutes every hour or as directed. If you have a ruler or a straight piece of hard material handy, you can fashion a splint that will protect the limb from any further injury. "It gave me some answers. To get the care you need, the first step is to identify the extent of the issue. Symptoms of both injuries are similar and they both require resting to allow your body to heal. The ankle will feel loose and may look as if it has been pulled forward somewhat. Then, stand up and try to put some weight on the ankle. REMEMBER, IF YOU ARE HONEST YOU WILL GET THE MOST ACCURATE RESULTS. you have swelling that isnt getting better two to five days after your injury. When should you go to the doctor for a foot injury? Start RICE treatment immediately for any ankle injury. Lastly, you can take medicine for the pain if it is bothering you. Your level of balance will determine which is best for your safety. Because of these differences, symptoms will vary depending on the severity of the sprain. It is driving my batty for so many reasons. Use crutches or wheelchair. If you believe you have a grade II or III sprain, don't use compression. Keep the injured foot in one place, and avoid shaking or putting pressure on it. This can stretch or tear the ligaments that help hold your ankle bones together. That means that, together, your feet contain one-quarter of the total bones in your body. 2022 Times Mojo - All Rights Reserved An X-ray may also show whether fluid has accumulated around a joint, which is a sign of a sprain or strain. Massage. Level 2: Standing on your injured leg, attempt to release your grip on the chair/ surface and hold for up to 30 seconds. On the other hand, if youve broken any of the bones of your foot, youve suffered a fracture. Wear a boot if your provider suggests it. Is it OK to walk on a sprained ankle? You may need crutches, a cane, or a walker. Inability to move your toe, or a limited range of motion. Avoid moving the ankle, and immobilize it if possible. you have swelling that isn't getting better two to five days after your injury. but now when i'm on my feet a lot they swell up and it hurts to walk. This article received 18 testimonials and 87% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. You should be able to get a finger between the bandage and your skin. Pain, often substantial. There are many incidents where injuries happen from the wrong shoe size. This causes tears in the ligament and surrounding small blood vessels. Pain and tenderness near the arch of the foot. An obvious foot or ankle deformity, such as your foot laying in an unusual position or angle, is definite evidence of a fracture or ankle joint dislocation. Mild midfoot sprains can heal in four to six weeks using conservative treatment methods. Both a sprain and a fracture hurt a lot. If your sprain has gotten worse or hasn't gotten better at all over a week then see your doctor. In more severe sprains, you may hear and/or feel something tear, along with a pop or snap. And, whats the best way to ensure you heal properly? Contact us today to learn more about foot sprains and how we can diagnose and treat them. Breaks happen when the bone has been shattered or fractured. Ice. Bandage around the ankle from the bottom of the foot and across the top of your foot. What is the difference between a sprain and a strain? Treatment for a Fracture Recovery Times You've injured your ankle and can't put your weight on it. Source: I've horribly sprained both ankles and fractured my foot in three places. Apply ice. A minor or hairline fracture may be identical in symptoms to a sprain, but if you suspect a hairline fracture use a split and walk on crutches. In the first few days, you should stay off the foot. Patients who suffer a severe midfoot sprain may need at least three months to recover stability and flexibility of the foot. Continue icing the injury in this way for 48 hours. More severe sprains may take a few months to fully heal and regain full mobility. A broken ankle is the most severe type of ankle injury and will need to be confirmed by a doctor using an x-ray. Pulled muscles can cause pain and make it difficult to walk. From the moment your foot is harmed, all further activities even walking can worsen the problem. Most ankle sprains involve injuries to the three ligaments on the outside of your ankle. Burning or tingling. Enjoy! Place ice on the affected foot to prevent or alleviate pain and swelling. Bruising, swelling, and tenderness are also more severe if your foot is broken. And I hate it. A cast or boot is usually required to help heal a broken ankle, depending on which ankle bone is broken. Rest. Ice the injury for 15-20 minutes at a time, every 2-3 hours. He received his Doctorate degree from California College of Podiatric Medicine in San Francisco, California and completed his residency at the California College of Podiatric Medicine in 1999. Continuing activity will injure you more, and you will be out for a more extended period. Often the ankle starts to swell immediately and may bruise. This can be felt on the bottom, top, or sides of the foot. There are three different types of sprains. They might have been in the middle of an ordinary activity and find it hard to imagine how to sprain your foot outside of a rigorous athletic performance. the injured area is swollen or bruised. You will experience moderate pain, bruising, and swelling. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. You can also end up with persistent pain and swelling that does not go away. Then, continue to ice for pain relief as needed. Symptoms of a foot sprain include: Pain and tenderness near the arch of the foot. How Long Should You Wait to Walk on a Sprained Ankle? A cracking sound at the time of injury. Apply ice or a cold pack in a towel to your ankle in 20-minute increments to reduce swelling. Usually, we can start with physical therapy pretty quickly and the physical therapy, the main of the physical therapy is the first main, is to decrease the local swelling. If you can't walk on the foot/ankle, you need an xray. It could be a sprain, or it might. How long does it take a midfoot sprain to heal? This can stretch or tear the tough bands of tissue (ligaments) that help hold your ankle bones together. There may be notable foot and ankle deformity and high fibular fractures just below the knee, which can be determined by a medical examination. Your doctor can help you with a timeline. If you have more questions about what to do to try and heal your foot, visit this website. Elevation will assist gravity in clearing the swelling, and help the pain. Many people dont realize right away when theyve sprained their foot. Have an open wound or a wound that is oozing pus. A bag of frozen peas also makes a good ice pack. They can [below] the ankle if it's comfortable for them. Massage can help ease pain while promoting blood flow to the sprained area. If you or a loved one believe you may have a foot sprain or fracture, let us help you. Last Updated: September 16, 2021 So I was just in ballet and I rolled my ankle like super bad. It is easy to trip when your shoe is too big or to squeeze your feet when too small. Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort. Mild to moderate sprains typically take 3-8 weeks to fully heal. In a grade II sprain, you will not be able to use your ankle normally and will have trouble putting weight on it. After 6-10 steps, the initial shock and pain subsided and I felt good enough to continue running at a normal pace. Until you make it to the ER, ice it every hour, for no longer than 10-15 minutes and never put the cold compress directly on your skin. How do you tell if your foot is sprained or bruised? Patients who suffer a severe midfoot sprain may need at least three months to recover stability and flexibility of the foot. The ankle area is usually tender to touch, and it hurts to move it. In contrast, a sprain is an injury to the ligament that connects two bones. If the break is astressor hairline fracture, you may need a CT scan to detect the break. Minor sprains resulting from small tears to your ligamentsoften referred to as grade Iwill generally heal on their own within a few weeks. The foot will roll inwards or outwards due to stepping on another person's foot or stepping in a hole. Ankle breaks are commonly caused by falls, high-impact sports, car accidents or injuries that place excessive force on . Cover it with a washcloth or towel to avoid possible frostbite on your skin. If you experience coolness in the limb, feeling total numbness of the feet, or tightness as a result of the swelling, this may be the sign of a much more serious condition. Bearing Weight The easiest way to decipher between a sprained or broken ankle is your ability to bear weight. Popping sounds are coming from it. Try compression. When a foot is sprained it is not the bones affected, but instead the pain comes from the connective tissues between the bones and joints stretching or tearing. The best podiatrist in Merrick will be able to treat you correctly and efficiently. Bleeding. If you have been diagnosed or think that you have a sprained foot, you should immediately rest. Sprains range in severity from Grade I to Grade III. 5. Pain and tenderness on the bottom, top or the sides of the foot; Pain while walking or inability to put weight on the injured foot. Go ahead, read the story of my stupidity. Compression. What are the symptoms of a fracture? Complete Care recognizes the importance of ensuring that our website is accessible to those with disabilities.This website endeavors to conform to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0.and has been built using code compliant with W3C standards for HTML and CSS. you feel tingling, numbness, or burning pain especially in the bottom of . Wear shoes that fit well. Sprains are very common in dogs, especially among those who are overweight or who are very active and frequently jump up and down. This can protect your foot and allow your ligaments to heal better. Look for bruising and gently touch the injured area with your fingers to see if it's painful or feels loose, which can indicate a sprain. With most sprains, you feel pain right away at the site of the tear. . There are varying levels of sprains, some less severe than others. Practise standing on your previously injured ankle for up to 30 seconds. A foot sprain is damage to ligaments within the foot. ", Luckily, this gave me helpful tips on what to do with my ankle and I had a wonderful time! If you sprained your foot, you may have heard a popping sound. Did you feel a tearing sensation? The RICE method can also help relieve discomfort: The symptoms in a foot fracture will also vary depending on the severity of the injury. It hurts to put weight on your hurt foot or pain when walking. What are the symptoms of a sprained foot? I've had many sprained ankles on both of them. Mild midfoot sprains can heal in four to six weeks using conservative treatment methods. A foot sprain is a tear of ligaments, the tough bands of fibrous tissue that connect bones to one another inside a joint. You may see your dog licking obsessively at the site of the sprain in an effort to reduce the discomfort. For a grade III sprain, your doctor may prescribe a narcotic to take for the first 48 hours. This allows you to enlist the help of gravity to drain any excess fluid. With a grade III sprain, you will be unable to put any weight on the ankle and will be unable to stand without help. You may notice that your foot feels tight in your shoe when walking and appears red upon examination. A lower speed injury (e.g., rolling your ankle while jogging or walking) is more likely a sprain that may heal on its own with proper care. A sprained ankle often feels loose or unstable. Take some ibuprofen for swelling. 1. Should I go to the doctor for a sprained foot? An ankle sprain occurs when you roll, twist or turn your ankle in an awkward way. In addition, you should ice your foot for about 20 minutes a few times a day. A dog can get a strain by pulling either a muscle or a tendon the connective tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone. [4] Seek immediate medical attention as you may need emergency surgery for major nerve and artery injury or compartment syndrome. This will require professional medical attention. For grade I foot sprains, the time for recovery typically ranges from a fortnight to a month and for grade II foot sprain, it varies approximately between 1 - 2 months. Use crutches or apply a splint or brace to limit use of your injured ankle. Place some ice in a bag gently on the joint. A grade I sprain means youve experienced small tears in the ligaments. Prompt care for a foot injury is essential to effective healing. Do Men Still Wear Button Holes At Weddings? In a Grade 2 sprain, more severe tearing of a ligament is present, but that tear has not gone completely through the tissue. A fractured ankle will be very painful and unstable. your pain worsens over time. This causes the affected area to be inflamed. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Use a brace. Muscles are connected to bones by fibrous tissue called ligaments. Athletes and dancers commonly experience a sprained foot or ankle. To help stop swelling, compress the area with an elastic bandage until the swelling stops. Walking with a limp. Do you happen to remember the sound you heard when the accident occurred? A sprained leg can prove extremely painful, often causing a dog to whine when anything puts pressure on the ruptured ligament. Have signs of infection, such as redness, warmth and tenderness in the affected area or you have a fever over 100 F (37.8 C) Are unable to walk or put weight on your foot. Yes. If your ankle feels unstable, use a brace to hold it in place. Which Teeth Are Normally Considered Anodontia? This can occur with a sprain. Intense Ligament Pain. Avoid strenuous exercise such as running for up to 8 weeks, as theres a risk of further damage. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? I sprained my foot. If youve torn one of your ligaments (whether partially or completely), youve sprained your foot. Walk or put weight on your sprained foot as long as it does not hurt.If your doctor gave you a splint or immobilizer, wear it as directed. , Ice. How long does a sprained foot stay swollen? Try to keep your ankle above your chest as much as possible for at least 48 hours, and use ice in 15-20 minute intervals several times a day. The front (anterior talo-fibular) and middle (calcaneo-fibular) are those commonly associated with sprains. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Loosen the bandage if it gets too tight. , Compression. Any sort of running movement that involves sudden stops, starts, and twisting can lead . For a grade I or grade II sprain, youll need crutches for anywhere between two and four weeks. Dr. Fang is a licensed Foot and Ankle Surgeon with his own medical practice in Mountain View, California. Immediate, throbbing pain that may be accompanied by foot deformity; Swelling, bruising and tenderness throughout the affected part of the foot; Difficulty walking or bearing weight these activities should be avoided. In this case, it's best to see your doctor immediately so the injury can be evaluated. The major symptom of a broken foot is overwhelming pain when you try to put any pressure at all on your foot or walk on your foot. Ignoring treatment, including excessive movement of the ankle through unnecessary walking, leads to a greater risk of worsening the injury. As the swelling decreases and the ankle starts to heal, short distance walking can be good for your recovery. There will be significant swelling (more than 4 cm) around the fibula (calf bone). A torn ligament in foot areas or other parts of the body means that one of these ligaments has been damaged and sustained a tear, often during a foot sprain. The more common culprit of foot pain is a fracture. Most sprains are relatively mild, but severe sprains can cause the ligament to become completely detached from the bone. EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Limited Or Anthology Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie. You may need a splint on your foot for support if your sprain is severe. Ligaments are dense pieces of connective tissue that hold your ankle bones together and help stabilize your joint. While it might be uncomfortable, you can still use your ankle normally. Place the loose end at the edge of your foot, at the ball of your foot near the base of your toes. . Acute strains happen when muscles or tendons are pulled or overstretched. I didn't sprain my ankle, which is what the vast majority of the world does. 3. Applying a compression wrap is easy and can be done at home. Grade 1 sprains are considered mild injuries that involve small tears or stretches of the ligaments. The pain from a sprained leg may also cause your dog to lose interest in food. Because of these differences, symptoms will vary depending on the severity of the sprain. Pain and swelling will usually occur in ankle sprain or fracture. Foot or ankle deformity and unbearable pain usually indicate ankle fractures. However, if your ankle is extremely swollen and painful to walk on or if you are having trouble putting weight on your ankle at all, be sure to see an orthopedic doctor. 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