Physical Therapy for Sprained Ankle?

Updated on May 10, 2011
A.D. asks from Albany, OR
8 answers

About five months ago I sprained my ankle. The bruising and swelling is long gone, but at my regular check-up my doctor told me I have a lump of scar tissue forming at the site. She wrote out an rx for physical therapy, but with my crappy insurance, it's gonna cost me about $200 to go to ONE appointment. My question is, would physical therapy even do that much for the scar tissue? My ankle still hurts when I've been walking a lot, but that's to be expected, I thought. Yet, I don't want to have this minor sprain turn into something that becomes a bigger problem say 10 or 20 years from now (I went through this with a broken tailbone--didn't get it looked at, and now it gives me plenty of grief 20 years later--and it, too, has a lump of scar tissue/calcification or whatever on it.) So, is it worth by $200 to go?

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T.F.

answers from Dallas on

$200 sounds like a lot for 1 PT trip. However, I do think you need to go at least once.

My husband and I have both been through PT for different reasons. He was able to avoid surgery for a rotator cuff injury. I have bad knees and feet and PT has helped me as well.

One thing to consider... if you go once... they will give you the detailed instructions for your PT and as long as you are dedicated to making yourself better, you can do most of the exercises, etc at home. It just takes someone with the attitude and discipline to do it yourself.

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D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

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J.B.

answers from Phoenix on

Possibly go to at least one session, explain to the PT about the cost and see if they can give you excersises, stretching etc that you can do at home. Your doctor may even be able to give you this to try as well. In the long run you certainly don't want scar tissue to build up in there as it could create much bigger problems down the road

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A.S.

answers from San Diego on

You can go to massage as well as acupuncture for the scar tissue. But massage will help to break up that scar tissue. See if your insurance would pay for that instead since you would be saving them money.

L.G.

answers from Eugene on

Did you use Arnica Salve on it? That always helps with pain. For a more permanent cure.
I would go to a Rolfer and let them do my entire body over the course of a year. It's the best way to get your entire body aligned.
It was costly and more than worth it. I was thrown out of a car that went over a cliff and though my spine was broken it's 20+ years and not a pain in my back ever due to the Rolfing.
You can find one by calling the Rolf Institute in Colorado.

R.D.

answers from Richmond on

Depends on what exactly you sprained. Easiest thing ever, stand facing the wall about a foot away, place your hands on the wall for balance, stand with your feet shoulder width apart, and raise yourself up onto the balls of your feet and down again. Do this SUPER slow... helps build the muscles and eliminates scar tissue. I've broken my right ankle 3 times, left one twice, and sprained them both a ton... take it from someone with weak ankles, this exercise works!! I can wear 5 inch heels without worrying about going right over ;)

This advice will cost $200, I accept checks ;) LOL!!

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M.R.

answers from Chicago on

Depending on your level of pain and what level of activity you want to do later in life you may wish to have an initial consultation with a certified PT. If you are going to go the massage route, please do NOT just go to the Massage Envy or salon/spa route because their training simply is not enough to appropriately deal with an injury such as yours.

Personally, if this were my ankle, I'd be quite annoyed at the cost but I'd find a way to suck it up and go. Think about your tailbone...do you want that pain on your walking feet for the rest of your life?

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D.K.

answers from State College on

You can also "write" the alphabet with the ankle and do resistance exercises. When I sprained mine a few years ago doing gymnastics, our trainer had me do several exercises a couple of times a day and it healed quickly. Mine was a minor sprain, the girls with more severe ones did more exercises, iced once or twice a day. A wrap or taping it may also help to take some of the pressure off. It may help at least to have one visit so you know what exercises you should do, how often and for how long. Did your doctor have any suggested exercises to get you started?

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