How long does swelling last after a fracture?
After you suffer an injury, swelling usually worsens over the first two to four days. It can then last for as long as three months as the body attempts to heal itself. If the swelling lasts longer than this, your physical therapist or doctor may need to take a closer look to determine the cause of the delayed healing.
It takes several days or weeks for the swelling to go down completely, and can take months for the ankle joint to fully recover from the fracture.
It's normal for a sprained ankle to swell, sometimes for four to six weeks, or longer. But swelling that persists for more than three months may be a sign of trouble.
If you have a broken ankle, you may experience some of the following signs and symptoms: Immediate, throbbing pain. Swelling. Bruising.
Most doctors check x-rays to see if bones are healing. The calcified blood clot around the fractured ends of the bones will show up on x-rays and is called “callus”. Callus is just new bone that has formed and grown across the fracture site. It's another sign that the broken bone is healed.
For most people, it's after about two to six weeks although it may be less or more depending on the type and severity of your fracture. It's crucial to adhere to your doctor's orders not to put any weight on your leg too early as walking on a broken ankle too early can prevent it from healing.
Your doctor may have you use a boot for 1 to 6 weeks. How long you wear it depends on how serious your injury is. Orthopedic boots are removable, and most of them can be adjusted. Your health professional will show you how to put on, remove, and adjust your boot.
If supplied, wear the boot for comfort and use crutches when walking. It is ok to take the boot off at night, when resting at home and to wash.
Walking Boots for Foot & Ankle Fractures and Injuries
Medical walking boots aid in the beginning of the rehabilitation process by stabilizing and protecting the area while it heals. As the foot or leg begins to heal, a walking boot slowly allows weight to be put onto the foot.
One important thing to keep in mind is that ankle swelling can last 2-3 months after the injury, even if the pain has completely gone away. Compression socks can alleviate the swelling, but time is the best medicine. More severe ankle sprains may require additional treatment.
Why is my ankle still swollen after 3 months?
"An ankle sprain that lingers beyond 3 months is often an injury to a bone, tendon or ligament that is unlikely to heal without intervention," he says.
Swelling in the foot and ankle due to a fracture and significant sprain is common, even several months later. Increases in activity and switching into a soft brace can lead to an increase in swelling and is normal.
Many people assume that if you can put weight on the ankle then it isn't broken, however, it is possible to walk on a broken ankle, particularly with a less severe fracture. If you're concerned your ankle may be broken, we recommend contacting your doctor, who can conduct an examination or order and xray if necessary.
1. Day 1 – Wear a good running shoe for 1-2 hours then return to your CAM Boot for the rest of the day. 2. Day 2 – Wear the shoe for 2-3 hours then return to your CAM Boot for the rest of the day.
To reduce pain and swelling: Sit with your foot elevated higher than your knee at least 4 times a day. Apply an ice pack 20 minutes of every hour, you are awake, for the first 2 days. After 2 days, use the ice pack for 10 to 20 minutes, 3 times a day as needed.
Tips to reduce swelling
Apply ice to the fractured area for 15 to 20 minutes, using an ice pack, bag of peas or a zip lock plastic bag with ice. Never apply ice directly to the skin, always wrap it in a towel or a pillowcase. It is important to take regular breaks in-between applying ice to avoid tissue damage.
If your swelling is chronic, or lasts longer than 2-3 weeks, you should see your doctor. Your doctor will be able to recommend medication, exercise or therapy to resolve the swelling. Remember, swelling is the body's reaction to an injury; if the swelling is still present, so is the injury.
Swelling. Swelling is a sign that your immune system is repairing your wound. The blood vessels widen to ease blood flow and send oxygen, vitamins, and minerals to your injury. This stage shouldn't last longer than five days.
If the swelling does not go away or it occurs repeatedly, it is essential to make an appointment with a doctor to determine whether there is an underlying cause. If swollen feet occur alongside shortness of breath, chest pain, or pressure in the chest, call the emergency services immediately.