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Is It Recommended To Use Braces For Ankle Sprain And Why Does It Cause Swelling?

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Posted on Thu, 5 Dec 2013
Twitter Thu, 5 Dec 2013 Answered on
Twitter Tue, 24 Dec 2013 Last reviewed on
Question : After my fall on shin and spraining of ankle, I saw dr and ankle was xrayed. No break, but sprained. Was told to do RICE, I had been. Shin was very tender, can walk, xrayed, no break. Swelling still occuring using brace for ankle. Should I be using brace for ankle, happened about 2 1/2 weels ago. Quite a bit of swelling in leg and area is very hard to touch. Why?I have taken sulfa antibiotics, 2 weeks worth. Not painful, but very hard to touch. Brace is for ankle sprain. After I wear it awhile, my shin becomes very swollen. When I take it off, it slowly goes back down, but is still very hard. Confused...Wouldn't the sulfa antibiotics have taken care of infection? Would the brace be hindering the healing of the shin, or not? I have found the only time my shin seems to give me pain is when I kneel down or when pressure is applied to the side, such as putting socks on. Other than that, there is no pain. Swelling and hardness of site is my concern. How would RSD be ruled out. I have 2 siblings who have horrific pain with RSD. Is anyone going to reply? If not, I think I need to have some of my money refunded. Please respond if I will get a reply or not. If I don't hear anything I will be asking for my money back. Thank you...
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Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (23 minutes later)
Brief Answer: soft tissue injury leading to low grade cellulitis Detailed Answer: Hello, I have studied your case. As per your history there was no bony injury on X ray but still you are having pain. This can be due to soft tissue injury leading to low grade cellulitis [soft tissue infection] MRI scan of leg will help in confirming diagnosis. Another possibility of Osteomyelitis can be considered .If host immunity decreases organisms start multiplying and lead to pain. Reflex sympathetic dystrophy is common after injury which can lead to hardness so you need to rule out it clinically. I will advise to consult orthopaedic surgeon to assess for cause. He will check clinically regarding any persistent infection. And some blood investigation may be required. Till time continue rest. Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries. Wishing you good health. Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (13 hours later)
Brief Answer: Brace will not hinder healing of shin Detailed Answer: Hello again, I apologies for delay in response Yes sulfa antibiotic might have taken care of infection but it does not mean that total infection has been recovered. Brace will not hinder healing of shin if it is right size,if brace is too tight can increase swelling. To rule out RSD you may need clinical examination by orthopaedic surgeon. Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries. Wishing you good health. Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :1998

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Is It Recommended To Use Braces For Ankle Sprain And Why Does It Cause Swelling?

Brief Answer: soft tissue injury leading to low grade cellulitis Detailed Answer: Hello, I have studied your case. As per your history there was no bony injury on X ray but still you are having pain. This can be due to soft tissue injury leading to low grade cellulitis [soft tissue infection] MRI scan of leg will help in confirming diagnosis. Another possibility of Osteomyelitis can be considered .If host immunity decreases organisms start multiplying and lead to pain. Reflex sympathetic dystrophy is common after injury which can lead to hardness so you need to rule out it clinically. I will advise to consult orthopaedic surgeon to assess for cause. He will check clinically regarding any persistent infection. And some blood investigation may be required. Till time continue rest. Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries. Wishing you good health. Take care.