Updated - Shit, you guys - injury advice needed

[Raggedeannie]

Ok, first let me tell you my tale of woe...

I have been in Beijing for 2 weeks for work and had the day off yesterday before taking off to Singapore to meet my husband for a week's vacation visiting cousins between Singapore and Tokyo, followed by another week of work here in Asia. Some coworkers and I headed out early to check out the Forbidden City. We waded through the seas of Beijing tourists, bought our tickets, and were standing around in the big square looking around for where to buy the audio guides. When out of nowhere this security guard came barreling through the square (running full tilt after a pick pocket, we think?) and crashed into me. He went sprawling on the ground and my feet/legs got tangled up in his fall. I never fell but in regaining my balance couldn't put my left foot down out of pain. I and my friends were screaming at the guard, and a policeman came over... and they both blinked at us. We yelled, they blinked, and eventually they pointed toward a bench. I hobbled over and sat down, we thought they were going for help and they never came back. Jerks! My ankle swelled up immediately. I was able to walk on it so we went through our Forbidden City visit before I decided to seek medical attention.

Ended up at the Embassy Medical Unit (I am a Fed) who sent me to the hospital for x-rays who sent me back to the Embassy. They say no fracture but likely significant ligament damage given the amount of swelling. They gave me a splint and crutches, and instructions to stay off of it.

My husband and I decided to cancel our vacation (visiting Singapore and Tokyo would be no fun for anyone if I am not mobile0 and I am heading home to DC tonight. We are bummed and so are our cousins we were going to visit.

This brings me to my question. I have always had a love/hate relationship with exercise and fitness. I have been doing SO WELL for the last year and a half of exercising consistently, I ran a half in May, and recently my exercise regime has been running 3x/week, and yoga or pilates 3x a week. I am scared of being totally sidelined and completely falling off the bandwagon never to get back on. What do I do? What exercise can I do with a bum ankle? I have access to weights/machines and a pool in my apartment building. I've been reading about pool jogging which seems like an option once I have healed a bit.

I will also go to a proper doctor when I get home so that I can actually get treatment.

Thanks for listening to me whine.

[al320]

First of all, that rrally sucks and i hope you feel better soon.

Second, tslk to your doctor about whst you can do to stay active and do it. Get creative. Find somrthing new. Just do anythong you can. Youll get back to where you were, but for now...heal!

[sadlebred]

Definitely see a specialist when you get home as soon as possible. Til then, RICE--Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. I'm sorry this happened and that you had to cancel your vacation!

You could also do upper body workouts like the arm bike.

[joenali]

Ditto what the others said. I did not have an ankle injury but needed to aqua jog for a shoulder/neck injury. It's great if you can do it. I usually did it for an hour at a time and it was a pretty good workout and easy on the body.

[Wines Not Whines]

I'm so, so sorry you're injured and your trip was cut short.

I would rest for a week. Ice, ibuprofen, and rest. And see another doctor in the US to make sure they agree with your diagnosis. Then reassess after a week. Hopefully you'll heal quickly.

When you get to the point where your ankle can handle low-impact exercises, you have a lot of options. Swimming, cycling/spin, yoga, pilates, core work, strength training, etc.

[cole]

I'm so sorry that happened! Ditto the recommendation to go to an orthopedic doctor. I've had 2 sprains in the past 4 years - one that required 6 weeks of physical therapy and one that didn't require any. They should be able to help figure out next steps and exercise suggestions. My personal experience has been different from vtcupcake with healing time, my breaks have always healed faster than soft tissue issues. Good luck, and I hope you are able to find something like swimming you mentioned to get through the interim until you are feeling better!

[cole]

Aug 23, 2014 10:37:48 GMT -5 @vtcupcake said:

Aug 23, 2014 7:45:51 GMT -5 cole said:

I'm so sorry that happened! Ditto the recommendation to go to an orthopedic doctor. I've had 2 sprains in the past 4 years - one that required 6 weeks of physical therapy and one that didn't require any. They should be able to help figure out next steps and exercise suggestions. My personal experience has been different from vtcupcake with healing time, my breaks have always healed faster than soft tissue issues. Good luck, and I hope you are able to find something like swimming you mentioned to get through the interim until you are feeling better!

It may have something to do with the fact that I sprained my ankle every field hockey season. I think eventually my body was like "oh, this crap again? time to get to work".

Not liking your injuries but I hear you on playing through!

[cransplash]

I am sorry- this totally sucks I would rec going to see an orthopedic doctor and express your concerns about wanting to stay active. Good luck!

[venice2007]

Rest up and hope you are back at it soon!

[labbie]

So sorry:-[
The pool sounds like a great option after some rest and healing. I hope you're feeling better soon.
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[Raggedeannie]

Thanks for the well wishes, words of encouragement, and advice! You ladies rock. I am home and have been icing and sleeping - will see if I can get in to a foot/ankle specialist tomorrow!

[Raggedeannie]

Update: I got in to a podiatrist this morning. She agreed that nothing is broken, but given the amount of swelling I need to take my time to get better.

She put me in a walking boot for 3 weeks followed by 3 weeks in a brace and PT. I asked her what kinds of physical activities I can do and she said, "stationary bike. With the boot on." Lolllll right.

My H says this is he universe telling me to slow down.

How hawt is this??

[Deleted]

Super hot boot. rawr.

Well, a few weeks off to heal your foot and your body will do you some good I am sure. Think of it as a reload weekx3!

[MrsE]

Oh no! I'm so sorry. Hope you feel better very soon and heal quickly.

[labbie]

Nice boot! Sorry your sidelined for a while, but here's to a speedy recovery.

Sent from my XT1080 using proboards

[shauni27]

oh dear, oh no. How awful. I would be SO pissed.

Glad to hear nothing is broken and hopefully in the next three weeks you can start up again with some low intensity workouts.

[bostonmichelle]

I'm sorry you had to cut your trip short. Glad nothing is broken though and hopefully you will be good to start something low intensity in 3 weeks. I hope you have a speedy recovery!

[gt7301b]

Glad it isn't broken, whishing you a speedy recovery!

[emilyinchile]

Ugh, you poor thing. Take care of yourself and let it heal the right way - hopefully soon!