The Long Term Affects of a Foot Sprain

I twisted my right foot a couple of months ago. Now when I am up on it, it swells about twice its size on top of my foot and hurts so that I can barely walk on it. When I lie down at night the swelling has disappeared by the next morning almost completely, but once I am back on it the swelling comes back again. Could you please tell me what you think it may be? Thank you so much.

Dr. Johnny L. Lin:

It sounds like you had either a bad ankle sprain or foot sprain. After either injury, the majority of people are able to return to normal activities within a couple weeks. Persistent swelling for three to six months that improves after staying off your feet is common as the body undergoes the healing process. However, persistent pain after several months is definitely not normal. Some ankle sprains may fail to heal or may be associated with cartilage injuries in the ankle. Severe foot sprains may lead to flattening of the arch, which could lead to arthritis and long-term problems with the foot. A final possibility is a fracture of one of the small bones in your foot.

Treatment Options:

If you are having significant discomfort, you should have a comprehensive evaluation by an orthopaedic foot and ankle specialist as well as X-rays to identify the reason for your persistent discomfort. A short course of physical therapy may be all you need. If there are cartilage injuries or flattening of the arch, then unfortunately surgery may be your best option.

For more information about Dr. Lin and the Sports Medicine physicians of Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, call 877 MD BONES or contact us through this Web site.

This information is not intended as a substitute for the professional advice of your physician, nor to be a complete description of every aspect of a condition, nor a complete list of possible side effects of any medication. Decisions concerning your treatment should be based on your own health care provider's evaluation of your personal health history and current condition. Consult your physician before following any of the suggestions on this Web site. All articles on this Web site represent the personal opinions of the individual authors and should not be construed as official policy of Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush.