I sprained my ankle on Mother's Day-I still can't run on it. I have a diagnostic APFT in October and I'm not sure what to do.

2015-08-28T19:06:23-04:00

I sprained my ankle on Mother's Day and I still can't run on it. I have a diagnostic APFT in October and I'm not sure what to do.

I haven't had a sprain continue to plague me this long before, but perhaps I did more damage this time or maybe my age may be a factor. I don't know. I passed my PT test in the spring, but there's just no way I see myself passing this one. I tried to run a couple times recently, and I could only do a mile in about 12-13 minutes; each time the ankle was stiff and hurt like hell; afterwards it felt like I couldn't support my own weight. How can I train much less pass?

I don't know if a profile is appropriate-it's not my preferred choice. I'm not a big fan of spotlighting myself in general. If this were Active, I could get a profile and work with my chain-of-command, but in the Reserves, I'm not sure what I should do.

Any thoughts?

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Aug 28 at 2015 7:10 PM

2015-08-28T19:10:58-04:00

brother, it sounds like a little more than just an average sprain....I recommend you getting it checked out - and I don't care what they think, you are better for the unit as a healed Leader & Warrior, not a hurt one!

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Aug 28 at 2015 7:12 PM

2015-08-28T19:12:42-04:00

Simply put:

Pain is your body's way of telling you, you are doing something wrong. It is an indication that there is a problem. "If" you sprained it on Mother's day, then in theory, it should have healed by now. That said, "perhaps" the pain is an indication that the initial diagnosis is incorrect, and you should speak to your medical provider and/or seek a second opinion. What they may have thought of as a simple sprain, may have been a tear, or worse a break.

Breaking yourself further does no one any good.

Response by SGT Daniel Smith made Aug 28 at 2015 7:33 PM

2015-08-28T19:33:31-04:00

Try This , Get A Foot Tub , That You Can Get Your Foot All The Way Down In , Past Your Ankle, Then Get A Paper Bag , And White Distilled Vinegar, Fill Foot Tub With Hottest Water You Can Stand , And Then Poor White Distilled Vinegar, In Paper Bag , Then Put Foot In Bag And Then Soak Foot For 20 -25 Minutes Or Until Bag Gives Up The Ghost , Let Me Know How It Works Out For You , Brother !!

Response by SGT Brandon Bergeron made Aug 28 at 2015 8:31 PM

2015-08-28T20:31:10-04:00

Get it looked at. Before you do anymore damage then already done. I agree with the CSM.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2015 8:33 PM

2015-08-28T20:33:01-04:00

You can easily get a profile even while in the Reserves. You can obtain one (possibly) from the VA. You can find the nearest Medical Reserve Unit that has medical doctors and have them write one. You can also (which you should do first anyway) is see your own private doctor and be evaluated and have them write a note. Because, brother, you did more than sprain it.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Aug 28 at 2015 9:24 PM

2015-08-28T21:24:58-04:00

SGT Dave Tracy you need to go get it checked again and get a profile if you are not able to run. You are only setting yourself up for failure if you don't. Your PCM should have you get some x-rays and probably an MRI. Ankles are a bitch to heal. If you don't take care of it, it won't heal. Also it takes longer to heal the more you hurt an ankle. Just my $.02.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2015 10:16 PM

2015-08-28T22:16:25-04:00

You sound a lot like me. You hurt yourself and don't want to make a big deal about it. But let's look at it this way. If you get a profile you take the risk of others thinking you are trying to get out of an APFT. However if you fail you are flagged. Your a sgt so I know I don't need to tell you what that does for your career. I would say talk to your leadership above you. If this is not a common thing for you and you regularly pass then they can get you out of the APFT without having to get a profile.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2015 10:42 PM

2015-08-28T22:42:50-04:00

Seek medical attention first. If you feel more comfortable with your primary care physician go to them. However, if you go through your civilian doctor, keep those documents and take them to your unit's PA or surgeon. If your unit does not have a PA or surgeon, it is likely that your higher headquarters have one. Ask for their point of contact and submit your documents to them. The PA or surgeon are able to convert your civilian documentation into a military profile if needed.

Response by SSG Toryn Green made Aug 29 at 2015 12:35 AM

2015-08-29T00:35:00-04:00

As others have said, I would definitely get it checked out. I myself have been in a similar situation with a back injury. I have always been anti-profile, but you have to think of your health and safety first. A temporary profile isn't the end of the world. it would allow you sufficient time to properly rehab. It's much better to be on a profile for a bit and get back to 100% than tough through it and potentially never be at 100% again due to further injury.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Aug 29 at 2015 12:49 AM

2015-08-29T00:49:38-04:00

It's no different in the Reserves than Active. Get a profile, then get to the doctor and get it properly checked out. If you did it in May, then it's way too long. This is the reason for profiles.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Aug 29 at 2015 12:58 AM

2015-08-29T00:58:05-04:00

Get checked and taken care. There is a reason for profiles: to get better without adding unnecessary stress to the injury. If it gets worst is on you!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2015 9:54 AM

2015-08-29T09:54:19-04:00

I am pleased to see your question has been answered repeatedly. This is what I like about RallyPoint; everyone cares and responses are positive and objective. I hope you get that taken care of and wish you a speedy recovery.

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made Aug 29 at 2015 10:07 AM

2015-08-29T10:07:37-04:00

Sgt, there must be something, as a reserve you can possibly do cq work til you feel better, try therapy.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2015 12:13 PM

2015-08-29T12:13:36-04:00

Do as everyone else says and get a profile, and in lieu of running try bicycling, rowing, and even just walking (whatever your ankle can handle)

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 29 at 2015 2:26 PM

2015-08-29T14:26:41-04:00

I'm no medic, but I would insist on an MRI. Sounds like you tore something, not sprained something.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Aug 29 at 2015 3:56 PM

2015-08-29T15:56:12-04:00

Thanks Battles. I have a weapons qual this month, so I will bring the chain-of-command into the loop. I have gone to the see the doctor twice before--right after it happened (X-ray said not broken) and in the beginning of July before my AT--but its only marginally better since the last visit. Perhaps the 3rd time is the charm. Regardless I will need to buy time for it to heal before I can run on it. If I have learned nothing else of late, I learned that much. Thanks again for the advice everyone.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2015 11:46 AM

2015-08-30T11:46:45-04:00

Shoot me an email i can work you through the Profile Request Packet, its what you will need to complete for ARMMC to issue a temp profile. First things first though you need to see a physician and have it looked at

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2015 12:43 AM

2015-09-01T00:43:13-04:00

When I was in active duty I knew something was wrong with my legs but didn't do anything about it. After several trips to the ER and various doctors I got a specialized scan of my legs and it revealed that I had stress fractures on both of my legs, because I had it so long they don't know if it will fully heal. Don't be too proud to get it fixed, your first priority should be to take care of your body, so you can be a more effective soldier, and improve the quality of your life. If the chain of command is upset by a temporary profile they are not effective leaders.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2015 8:21 AM

2015-09-01T08:21:58-04:00

well, you better double time and take care of that ankle and the paper work. You need the medical note for your temporay profile. I have seen when Soldiers hurt themselves a day or the night before drill and for finances reasons the Soldier did not go to the ER (for the medical paperwork). As a Detachment Sergeant, Training NCO, and APFT NCOIC, I used to deal with this situation on the one-to-one basis; you know, some Soldiers like to malinger. But in the end, paperwork or no paperwork you shouldn't take the diagnostic PT, but take it easy. I rather have a flag or even to be counseled than creating a permanent demage to your body (and perhaps your military career). Remember, you won't wear the uniform your whole life but you will deal with your body (and its inperfections) the rest of your life... been there, done that...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2015 1:25 PM

2015-09-02T13:25:14-04:00

SGT, I would definitely see your PCP again and get a referral to Ortho. A friend of mine had the same thing...a nagging sprain, he thought. MRI showed that he had torn two ligaments.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2015 12:31 PM

2015-09-09T12:31:45-04:00

Hi! I'm Sgt Brown from the Army Reserve Medical Management Center. A profile sounds like it may really benefit you the most. If you fill out a profile request packet, which is basically just a cover sheet, FCC 507, and provide any current treatment notes, we can assist you with obtaining a profile. Your doctor can specify the length of time you may need to be on profile. If you are having issues with your ankle now, we definitely don't want you to exacerbate the injury any further. You will also have a recovery period following the profile, twice the amount of time you are on profile, not to exceed 90 days, to train up for your next pt test. While on profile, you'll be assigned a nurse case manager to help you manage the profile until resolution is met. If you are interested in this, send me an email at heather.m.brown2.mil@mail and I'll provide you with a copy of the profile request packet and any additional information you may need. Well wishes!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2015 12:37 PM

2015-09-09T12:37:48-04:00

Get it checked out. As an active duty medic with a permanent profile for my ankle ill say it is better to get put on a temporary and let yourself heal. I rode mine out and I now have 2 torn ligaments I can barely run a mile. Toughing it wont get you anything but more messed up. Not to mention if you roll it once you will 100% roll it again.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2015 1:20 AM

2015-10-02T01:20:33-04:00

This sounds worse then a sprain like a tear. Here is what you do. See your medics and PA ask for a referral to Ortho and physical therapy. That is where you need to start. If it is a tear it will get worse

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2018 10:11 PM

2018-06-23T22:11:39-04:00

Get a temporary profile