Posted on Aug 28, 2015
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.
14K
48
32
4
4
0
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?
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?
Army Reserve
Injuries
Physical Training
APFT
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 24
16
16
0
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!
(16)
(0)
8
8
0
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.
(8)
(0)
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
This. I torqued one 18 years ago, and it still bugs the hell out of me. Made it out of a grunt BN with my knees intact, but only one good ankle.
(1)
(0)
SGM Steve Wettstein
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS - Preach it Aaron. I forgot to mention that it is also easier to injure that ankle. Left ankle no problems. Right ankle broke it playing flag football, hair line fracture, I cannot count the times I have rolled it or done other nice things to it.
(2)
(0)
5
5
0
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.
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.
(5)
(0)
4
4
0
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...
(4)
(0)
2
2
0
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.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
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.
(2)
(0)
1
1
0
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.
(1)
(0)
SSG (Join to see)
Request an MRI. The xray will only show bone damage. The MRI will show any tissue damage which is what it sounds like.
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
I'm no medic, but I would insist on an MRI. Sounds like you tore something, not sprained something.
(1)
(0)
SPC Mark Beard
I sprained my ankle !!!! had ex ray and all off work a week when swelling went down put ankle brace its getting better but its still tender
(0)
(0)
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.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Get it looked at. Before you do anymore damage then already done. I agree with the CSM.
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google