how serious is my ankle injury? - #15520
i am a figure skater competing tomorrow and about 2 days ago i was practicing jumps off ice. I was attempting a very difficult one and i under rotated it and landed on my ankle. When that occurred i heard like a snap of some sort but got up and walked inside when i fell i had a very sharp pain but i was able to walk. i elevated it and followed pretty much everything to do like epsom salt soaks, circular movements , bandage / wraps compression socks etc. the day it happened my ankle had. swelled up to about the size of half a baseball and was my same skin tone no bruising , nothing just really swollen and quite painful the next day i was trying stretches and kinda like shook it around for fun and i could hear it moving around like small clicks . this was 2 days ago and tomorrow i have to compete, i had a practice today and was in pain with certain things but i could do my routines so i have to compete. also when i fell my right ankle went the inward way i think the the sole of my foot facing my inner left foot please help thank you!
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Doctors’ responses
Hello dear See for even minor sprain or trauma application of crave bandage and analgesics are must. Since you haven’t shared any clinical pic or x ray so I cannot confirm the severity of lesion I suggest you to please get following tests done for confirmation X ray ankle Ct scan/ mri foot USG feet Please share the result with orthopedic surgeon for better clarity. Please avoid any kind of mobility or extra hardwork from involved foot Regards
Hello shellee,
Even though you can walk and skate, this type of injury can include ligament tearing or a small fracture, and skating tomorrow could make it much worse.
Medically; you should not compete. Competing could worsen it significantly. Please take rest.
Please consult an orthopedic surgeon in person and take an xray to rule out fracture.
Get well soon I hope this helps Thank you
Hello Shellee, thank you for sharing your concern. According to what you explained, it’s important to rule out any fracture and a ligament injury. Kindly get an X-ray of the ankle in AP & Lateral views and consult an Orthopedician for physical assessment. It’s very important for you to do this, to make sure you don’t land up in complications.
Feel free to reach out again.
Regards, Dr. Nirav Jain MBBS, DNB D.Fam.Med
Hello Shellee By going through your history and evaluation of your health status I am suggesting you following test as follows - Investigations - X-ray
Till your investigations reports will come I am suggesting you following treatment as follows so that you can participate in your event - Rx- Tab Zerodol sp - ( one tablet a day ) ( if pain and swelling persist you can go for two tablets a day i.e one in morning and one at night) Tube diclofenac gel - applied on affected area 5 times a day
After your x-ray report comes, you can consult me for better evaluation.
Get well soon
Thank you
Considering the symptoms and the description of the fall, it sounds like you may have sustained a sprain, possibly involving damage to the lateral ligaments on the outside of your ankle. The initial swelling and snapping sound you mentioned might indicate a more serious sprain, possibly involving a partial tear. The clicking and ongoing pain suggest the joint might still be slightly unstable or that there may be some soft tissue damage. When you compete, this could be a risk as continued activity can lead to worse injuries if the ankle is not adequately healed or supported.
While not seeing any bruising is a good sign, it doesn’t rule out the potential for a more serious issue. Swelling and pain are key indicators. Considering you mentioned pain during certain movements (even after light practice), this also indicates that your ankle might not fully be ready to handle competitive movements at this point. Ideally, it would be best to have it evaluated by a healthcare professional before competing. They can help assess the extent of the sprain and provide specific support or recommendations, like an ankle brace or specific taping techniques that can offer greater stability during your performance.
In the meantime, continue with R.I.C.E.: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation, as it’s crucial at this point. Avoid stretches that further stress the joint and consider using over-the-counter pain relief if suitable for you. Quite importantly, be aware that ignoring such symptoms to compete may increase the risk of long-term damage, so if any worsening symptoms appear—severe pain, increased swelling, inability to bear weight—seek urgent medical attention. Remember, sports careers benefit from ensuring long-term health; a short delay now might improve future performance and longevity in your sport.
Your injury is moderate and serious enough that:
You are at significant risk of worsening it by competing You likely have a Grade 2 ankle sprain “Snap” + big swelling = ligament damage You can skate, but not safely for high-impact moves
A snap sound with swelling the size of half a baseball strongly suggests a moderate to severe ankle sprain or even a small ligament tear, and continuing to skate may worsen the injury. The clicking and persistent pain during practice mean the joint is unstable and needs proper rest, ice, compression, and elevation — not high-impact strain. Please see an orthopedic or sports medicine specialist immediately for an exam and possibly an X-ray before competing, because skating on this injury can cause long-term damage.
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