Advice on twisted ankles please.

[Leon]

Around half a year back, while kick boxing, I twisted my left ankle. Being stupid, I didn't say anything, and kept on sparring during the session. It wasn't that serious, there was no swelling or in fact pain. It just felt uncomfy. But since then, I have no kicking power in my left foot. I can run and jump and sprint just fine, but when I really want to roundhouse kick an object with power, it hurts. Side kicks and front kicks are no problem, just roundhouse (where I flatten my foot and kick)

Yesterday, I twisted my right ankle. Yay, now both my ankles are twisted. But being more experienced now, I immedeately elevated my foot above my body to stop the blood circulation, and applied ice.
But it seems to me that these measures are merely to reduce the damage, providing minimal help.
Btw, my right ankle twist was similar to my left ankle twist; no swelling, almost no pain, feels fine except for kicking ( I havent tried kicking with my right foot yet), etc.

I'm resting it now and still applying ice treatment and keeping it raised, but does anyone have any tips?

I'm just hoping against hope that I will still be able to roundhouse with my right foot, but i'm prepared for the worst
Ah well, still have front kicks and side kicks...

[Fatman]

This advice may be unpopular, but I believe that modern medical advice on sprains is wrong. The ice etc. helps to reduce the swelling however it does nothing to assist in repairing the damage. I believe the approach that Chinese medicine uses is correct.

Keep it warm, wait for the worst of the swelling to go down, then massage with dit da. Probably best to see a Chinese doctor to do this if this is the course you are going to take. Another treatment my father uses (he is an acupunturist) is to grind up some ginger, squeeze out the juice, then use the grounds as a compress around the injury site. Leave it overnight. Burns like crazy but works like a charm.

If you prefer to use the Westerm medical method, then use the ice, wait for the swelling to reduce, then see a physio. They will use massage and heat to work out the swelling, then give you exercises to help loosen the joint and restore flexibility.

Personally I have found that the Chinese approach results in a stronger repair to the injury site. But to each their own.

[Leon]

Thanks for the tips.
I used to apply dit da as a 'quick fix' solution, ie; rub in lots of dit da right before sparring.

The ginger advice sounds worth a shot, and ginger is easily obtained. From your post, what I understand is grind the ginger, squeeze out any juice, and wrap the remainding bits around my ankle area? I'm going to try it.

Again, thanks for the advice, really appreciate it.

[Fatman]

With the ginger, my father normaly pounds it with a mortar and pestle and squeezes out the juice. He then puts the grinds on some cling wrap, puts the whole lot on the affect joint, then bandages it up. Normally does this in the evening, and you keep it on overnight while you sleep. It burns and itches like crazy but it seems to work well.

As an ex-volleyballer I have had my fair share of sprained ankles, so if you need any more advice feel free. I am not a qualified medical professional, but I have been through it so many times I know a bit about the subject

[Nataraya]

I would advise you to see once a sport physiotherapist. Try to find a professional club linked with a sports physio. In Holland there are Sport medical centers, that make a diagnose for not that much money. You have an idea what kind of tissue might be damaged. It could be a tendon, but this is diagnosed rather simple. Then it might be a case of training the stability of the ankle more properly. Many times it is a matter of muscular balance around a joint.

I am linked to a football club and are aware of sports policy in treatments. This is a specialty on its own, with very good results. It is only that you must find out how that system worked in your country.

Die Da is very effective in the first six weeks. The policy of ankle problems (soft tissue problems), is that – depending upon the swelling – you walked already the second day, eventually with one crutch. The fifth day the crutch is gone, and the ankle taped. Second week, running exercises. The pain factor is our guide then…..

What I want to say, is that the way to treat injured ankles, did change tremendously over the last 20 years. In fact that counts for most serious injuries. Again, my advise would be let someone diagnose which tendon have damaged. Let him make a strength analysis of that ankle. And start ‘hard working’ to balance that ankle. Then go back and show this man the kicking against a back. Maybe the coordination – contraction of the muscles to stabilize the ankle – are timed badly, meaning you ‘overstretched’ before contact, which leads to pain.

I have football players in my team (youngsters) already showing timing problems, leading to injuries in knee and ankles.

Sorry for the long story, but take it seriously because problems can follow you the rest of your life, leaving bad joints behind. I work in a rehabilitation centre and you will NOT believe what I see, feel and hear……

Good luck,

Evert.