riding with sprained ankle???
 

Hi,
our bike club from MN is doing an eight day ride in Phoenix/Scottsdale, starting this
Saturday.
Yesterday I sprained my ankle when playing pickleball :(
Partner and I sprinted for same ball and my foot landed on his as we collided---rolled outward.
Great pain but iced it immediately.

Today doing ice and then hot pack as there isn't much swelling. Still very tender. I'm thinking of
going to "deep water exercise" at the Y today--never done that but no weight on ankle.

I've heard it's best to start moving/using ASAP.
1. anyone have experience riding after ankle sprain? Any recommendations? Some kind of
ankle lace up support?

2. any suggestions for quick recovery?
Thanks for any ideas/suggestions

Also, any special things to do/see/eat in Scottsdale???

1. I rolled my ankle when jogging. Result was a severe sprain and chipped a bone, too. I went from crutches to riding again in about a week, maybe 10 ten days. My doc gave me an ASO ankle brace . It provided excellent support and I don't think I would have been back on the bike as quickly without it. It's not too bulky and I was able to wear it with my cycling shoes.

2. In my personal experience, there's no such thing as a quick recovery from an ankle sprain. You just need to take it slowly and be careful not to re injure it. My doctor suggested taking Vitamin C supplements, which I did. I don't know if it actually helped, but it can't hurt.

I'd also suggest checking out Youtube for ankle sprain rehab exercises. There are a lot of good sources which can give you suggestions from easy stuff to do in the days right after the injury to more advanced things down the road when you have full ROM. The more advanced exercises will also help you avoid getting another sprain in the future.

Good luck!

Edit to add: I heard it's important to start using the ankle again, quickly, as well. Caveat being don't over do it. Doctor wanted me off the crutches just as soon as I could bear weight on the bad ankle.

I sprained both ankles, both times from running (note: after that last one I'm hardly running anymore). I did most of the same things that you described (Rest Ice Compression Elevate), went to a podiatrist who did x-rays and gave me a lace-up thing that I wore under a normal (well mostly normal) running shoe.

That last time was my left ankle, the same one I lean on when I stop while riding. While actually riding, I was fine. It was all that stopping...required me to maneuver my foot around to avoid falling. I was fine for short rides (like under 20 miles) for the 2-3 weeks before it was mostly better. As soon as I got home I iced.

Where in Phoenix/Scottsdale are you riding? I live out here... Weather is supposed to be really nice this coming weekend.

After my last sprain I had to take a month off the bike. Sprain occured on 12/5/12. I am still in physical therapy and about to go see a orthopedist to see if I need surgery on it.

Bottom line, all sprains are different.

LowCel speaketh the truth. I've gone back to full activity in a week one time and another time took months

good luck in AZ - wish I could go but my lovely bride just started a new job so my going alone is NOT a good idea

how much do you value your ankle?

yes, sprains vary...and having sprained it yesterday you dont know the severity. Ive had an ankle sprain that still affects me years later.

First off, not a good idea to put heat on an acute sprain, or any injury for that matter. Heat is a vasodillator, which will worsen an acute injury. generally rule is to ice 15" on 15" off cycle throughout the day. And the saying "too much of a good thing.." applies here. 15 min max (ice act to vasoconstrict, though prolonged exposure to cold and the body actually vasodilates because it thinks the tissue is freezing) which obviously defeats the purpose.

when you say rolled outward, do you mean your foot/ankle or your body? IE, is the pain on the medial (inside) or lateral (outside) of ankle? If medial, it's an "uncommon" sprain and could be more serious.

my recommendations are to stay away from full weight bearing (unless [or until] pain free), but continue to keep the foot/ankle moving. continue to ice, stay away from heat. Ace wrap the area for now (for compression to discourage swelling).

"when you say rolled outward, do you mean your foot/ankle or your body? IE, is the pain on the medial (inside) or lateral (outside) of ankle?"
My left foot rolled to the left (outward) as I went down in a screaming heap. The pain seems to be on both sides.

I'll stop the heat treatment---just did that once today (hot water in rubber hot water bottle). Once I heard cold/ hot alternating helps but I'll stop the heat.
Deep water exercise seemed to help a little today except when I moved too fast and resistance on ankle was
too much.

That ASO brace looks good--I'll see if the big box stores have such. Coincidentally, I have dermatologist Dr
appt tomorrow so can see if Health Partners clinic has such a brace also. It it fits in running shoe it would seem
that it would fit in by bike shoes..

I have this bursitis condition in my heel and cycling supposedly is good for it

Hi,
hosts who winter there live in Scottsdale/ Cimarron Hills. Many will be staying at Scottsdale Extended Stay.
8 days of riding, some we bike from motel and some starts we drive to. I'm excited to check out the area as
just retired and looking for retreats from MN winter (future 2/3/4 week stays).

My travel partner wants own room/bedroom so motel with two beds doesn't cut it. This doubles my room cost
with single room so I have been checking CraigsList for 2 BR condos but no luck for 3/1-3/10 stay.

Anybody in the area play pickleball? Just started it a month ago. I'm bringing my new paddle--but
may not be able to play.

Thanks to all for the help.

you might try the Residence Inns. some have 2 BR (each with a bath units)

Just for the heck of it..... :D

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...Cel/ankle5.jpg

Now that's a proper sprain! ^^

When I do something, I do it right!