My son recently sprained his ankle severely and tore one of the ligaments (which the doctor said won't heal and will not require surgery). For those that have ever sprained an ankle that lasted more than a week or so, and it was a severe injury, how did it affect you playing baseball? Was it harder to field, or hit (particularly because it was my son's right ankle and he is a right handed hitter)? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Last year son was in college he badly sprained his ankle (after first season start). He was not afforded the luxury of being off for more than one game. It remained swollen for months. Months later he sprained his other ankle. This more than likely set off a series of changes in mechanics (pitcher), which might have led to other issues.

Sprains are worse than breaks, they take very long to heal. I wouldn't suggest playing with a torn ligament.

I'd second that opinion of not playing with a torn ligament. I tried (back when the world was black and white) and proceeded to damage my ankle permanently. Now I twist my ankle at the slightest hint of an uneven surface - and am seriously limping 2-3 times a year.

Don't do it...

How exactly did the doctor confirm that your son
has some structural damage such as torn ligaments (..or broken bones)?

Did the doctor push the RICE program - Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation?

Sorry to hear about your son's injury, but has the swelling in the ankle area gone down?

It is important that an accurate diagnosis of the cause of your son's symptoms be obtained. Appropriate treatment can be directed at the cause. With ankle pain, some common causes include arthritis, ligament and cartilage injury.

Swelling after an injury is a body's way to prevent further injury until the entire ankle heals. The swelling naturally immobilizes the ankle joint yet also prevents initiating rehab (primarily due to pain).

Why suffer through ice whirlpools and many old time remedies including
- towel pulls,
- rubber band therapy,
- other

Many PT's think it's best to rehab ankles soon.
The key must be to get the swelling down first.

After what seemed like my infinite ankle sprain, I started searching for ways to rehab a sprained ankle, fast and effective.

This is what I sought:
Increased muscle and ankle flexibility
Fight painful muscle and ankle joint swelling
Reduce muscle and ankle stiffness and fatigue

May I suggest you begin searching and should you want to share notes, emme.

The doctor, who from all the recommendations and his credentials seems to be like a very qualified doctor, said the MRI revealed the torn ligament. He said that most of the players on the college basketball team that he is the doctor for have torn this ligament, and it is as irrelevant as a ligament can be.

My son isn't going to be playing anytime soon, so it's not as if I'm pushing to get him back out there. The doctor said after 6 weeks, they will know the severity of the injury and whether he can return. He likely won't really run until basketball season, which begins November 1.

He hurt it by crashing into an outfield fence (with no warning track), and feeling a dislocation. After he "popped" it back in, and felt a pop, the swelling came quickly. The doctor said this was unusual to have a dislocation without any other serious injury, so he said this was a slightly puzzling case.

The ankle ballooned up and bruised pretty badly, but after about a week, it is starting to look better, and almost resembles a normal ankle. He has plenty of time to rest, but it always seems that the injuries for him are harder on me than on him. Thanks again for the help.

quote:

Originally posted by 08Dad:
I'd second that opinion of not playing with a torn ligament. I tried (back when the world was black and white) and proceeded to damage my ankle permanently. Now I twist my ankle at the slightest hint of an uneven surface - and am seriously limping 2-3 times a year.

Don't do it...

Look into proprioceptive exercise for ankle injury. Its lack of, that produces the chronic ankle sprains. There is no need to live with this condition. It can be fixed pretty quickly.