Yesterday I was out for a walk, and my mind must have started to wander, probably worrying once again about the opening of school. The next thing I know I rolled my ankle and nearly fell to the ground, trying to maintain my balance while hopping on one foot. I finally got things under control, limped for just a few steps, and resumed my walk. In the back of my mind though I was thinking that there was going to be some pain in my future.
It took a few hours, but then it hit me, and I was barely able to walk.
I then texted my nephew who is a physical therapist and asked what I should do. His first response was to tell me to stop being so clumsy. He then told me about RICE – rest, ice, compression, and elevation (I liked the sound of the rest part). Later in the day, my second cousin, who is a doctor, called me when she heard about my injury (she must have heard my whimpering from miles away…) and offered the same advice.
So with the help of my wife, I went upstairs to my bed where I propped my foot on several pillows and put a freeze pack across my ankle for 20 minutes. Later in the day, my wife switched the freeze pack for a bag of frozen peas, which seemed to work much better. I barely moved all day, spending part of my time in bed reading about rolled ankles at sites like WEB MD and the University of Michigan Medicine (they all offered the same advice – RICE). I repeated the ice pack thing a couple more times, and before I knew it, it was time for bed.
When I woke up this morning, it seemed like a miracle.
I had gone from not being able to put any pressure on my bad foot to walking almost normally. I rode my stationary bike with no problem, and just out of caution, I repeated the RIE thing one more time, for about 20 minutes.
My ankle (almost) feels like nothing happened to it.
It was then I realized that following the science works – what the health professionals and trustworthy web sites had recommended, was exactly what I needed to help with the healing process.
So three cheers for science.
And a little bit of TLC doesn’t hurt either…
*image from NY Orthopedics
Damn, that really hurts to roll an ankle. I’m glad the RICE method worked for you. I’ll try to remember that trick, for the next time that happens to me. Either that or I’ll soak my ankle in a bowl of Rice Krispies.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Just put the Rice Krispies in the freezer for a little while before you soak your foot in them…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Dr. Borden.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s a trick I learned while taking correspondence courses towards my medical degree.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh, so you’re one of those distance-learning docs. We’re getting more of those lately. They want to conduct their medical exams via Zoom.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve heard of a medical medium who claims he can do a full body x-ray, virtually…
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sounds both medically and legally risky. I wonder how his disclaimer reads.
LikeLiked by 1 person
to me, it’s nonsense. I don’t know how he gets away with it…
LikeLiked by 1 person
He wouldn’t fool me. I can see right through him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
with your x-ray vision…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great content! Professional help is key, especially for your physical health.
-The Team at DyeHard
LikeLiked by 2 people
thanks, and I agree. listening to experts is a key to our health!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Been there, done that! Glad you recovered quickly! 🙂
It helps to have a sister who is a nurse and find out tips like that.
LikeLiked by 2 people
yes, it is nice to have someone you can trust for advice!
LikeLike
I swear by Traumeel often because I don’t have time for RICE. Glad you healed up.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I had never heard of Traumeel until you mentioned it. I looked it up, and it sounds like a pretty effective product. If there is a next time (hopefully not), I may have to give it a try. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I learned years ago in nursing school that ice is one of the least used analgesics but works wonders!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess some people would rather pop a pill?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad it feels better today, Jim.
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks, Sue! so am I…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ice and cold water works great for burns and bruises so I now run any pain under cold water till the cold hurts, followed by ice for the longer term. We used to keep a bag of frozen peas in the staff room freezer at work for first aid purposes. They’d been defrosted too many times to be edible, but they were handy for bruises and sprains. If nothing else, it’s an immediate anaesthetic.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ve heard that you should not put ice or even cold water on burns, it makes it worse. But the bag of frozen peas was great for my ankle; we now have two bags in our freezer that will never be eaten… 🙂
LikeLike
I’ve never heard that. The first I ever heard of water for burns was the story of the pilot who baled out on fire over the sea during WWII, who was told he would have died if it hadn’t been for the cold water – something to do with shock, If I recall, and stopping some body chemical or other rushing to the site of the damage. Maybe the cleanliness of the water has a bearing (although I wouldn’t have though the sea that sterile – even back then). I’ll google it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
the pilot probably didn’t have too many options… the cold water may have been good for his heart and respiratory system, but maybe not for his skin. I’ll be curious what you come up with when you search using Google…
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re right – cool water only for burns; ice or very cold water can further damage the tissue. And not for broken skin unless sterile. No butter – which was advised by our grans – but we knew that anyway.
I think – as far as the pilot was concerned – it was warding off the effects of shock that saved him. The shock would probably have been fatal given the extent of his burns. I seem to recall that ice works against bruises in the same way – deflects something-or-other that rushes to the skin as part of the body’s automatic defence.
LikeLiked by 1 person
ok, thanks for letting me know. Hopefully I never have to deal with a severe burn…
LikeLiked by 1 person
here’s to science and those who accept and practice it. ) onward !
LikeLiked by 1 person
hip, hip, hooray!
LikeLiked by 1 person
and to the tlc, that is the secret sauce
LikeLiked by 1 person
indeed it is…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have a bag of frozen peas in the freezer for exactly the same purpose. They seem to retain the cold much longer and certainly shape themselves to the injured area more easily. I am just glad to hear that it was a minor injury and you are well on the mend, my friend! Let’s try to be a little more careful out there next time. And stop fretting over the return of classes. Whatever will be, will be, and I promise your worrying will not have an impact. Great post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks, Brad! Yes, we now have two bags of frozen peas in our freezer. We will never eat them, but they may still be put to good use. And I saw that Nova made the national news this morning on Good Morning America, showing a video of a large gathering of students, many of whom were not wearing mask…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have seen quite a bit of that myself….sad ☹
LikeLiked by 1 person
and our President has come out with a petty stern warning – if you don’t follow the guidelines, you will be asked to go home…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our friend slipped off a half inch high kerb and broke a bone in his foot and couldn’t walk properly for months!
LikeLiked by 1 person
wow – just half an inch! That’s a shame; I feel quite lucky!
LikeLike
I’ve used the bag of frozen peas trick – it works much better than a bag of roast potatoes 😉
Glad you’re on the mend though 👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll take your word for on it not trying bag of roasted potatoes! 🙂 And it feels even better today…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad it’s feeling much better, but best to lay off any more record attempts for now. Potatoes just don’t work: not enough contact with the damaged body part, due to their size 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I plan to take it easy this week. Plus, I don’t mind wasting a bag of peas instead of eating it; I can’t say the same thing for some potatoes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A good plan, especially if you’ll be eating potatoes 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
exactly 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you’re feeling better and yay for science!
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Acronyms are great ways to remember things. RICE is stuck in my mind now. What did or would you do for compression? I’m glad science worked for you. I’ll use the RICE formula the next time I get a sprain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
for the compression you can use things like an ACE bandage. Unfortunately, I didn’t have one.
LikeLike
Ouch! That’s terrible. The one time I twisted my ankle was because I used a high heel for the first time. I fell down the escalator and that made me unable to walk for several days.
Anyway, now you’re probably distracted away from your worries after that pain 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
now that must have hurt – falling down an escalator. But you’re right, the pain did make me forget about other things for a while! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you’re feeling better, Jim! 🕊
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks, SnapDragon, so am I!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford.
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks, Jonathan!
LikeLiked by 1 person
U R WELCOME!
LikeLiked by 1 person
RICE works wonders! Glad it worked for you also.
LikeLiked by 1 person
simple, cheap, and effective – you can’t beat that combo!
LikeLike
Glad you are okay. I would have told you the same thing. Not because I’m a professional, but because I raised 3 kids & it is taught in first aid class in the Marine Corps. Love the science of it. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes, it is much better. I am always open to advice – you’ve got a good background to be offering it… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m happy you listened to the pros. I’ve been having trouble with my knees. Little swelling but nothing alarming. Not noticeable. Tens unit every night on both. I went to the chiropractor last Monday, got my adjustment, deep tissue massage & traction. My everything is better…including my knees. Better than taking meds!!! I was long overdue. I hadn’t been since the lockdown in March. I was hurting everywhere. I was scared to go but when the pain becomes too intense, you just don’t care. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I forget if we talked about this before, but I am not sure if I could go to a chiropractor. I’ve heard people say great things about them. If all they did was adjust my knees, then maybe, but once my back is involved, I don’t think I could do it…
LikeLiked by 1 person
In 1993, I was rear-ended. I was stopped at a light and a lady hit me doing 50mph. Messed me up! $500 damage to my car. 10’s of thousands of dollars of damage to me. I was rear-ended again in 2005. At a light, but he was only doing 25mph. Not so bad, but caused more issues. Both times, I had better recovery & long term positive results than taking pain killers and see a regular doctor. I had to learn trust in the worst pain in my life including labor. I’ve only had 3 chiropractors in my lifetime & many years apart. The VA sent me to my current chiropractor & I was skeptical. He is outside the VA & contracted. He just happens to have the best massage therapist in the state of Florida on staff. Works well for me! I’m paying out of pocket right now because the VA can’t get their crap together. I feel better & will be going back in September. I’m not going to be in that kind of pain again. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m happy that you found somebody who can help you manage your pain. I know many people who swear by their chiropractor. I guess I’m just too much a wimp – I guess it goes with the alligator thing… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, maybe we can get you adjusted by an alligator. LOL! Sorry, you left the door wide open for me on that one. I can tell you that the first time I went to the chiropractor in 1993, I was freaked out by it. I just figured the pain couldn’t get any worse and if I was paralyzed from an adjustment, at least I wouldn’t feel it anymore. Guess that is pretty dramatic, but it was how I felt. I was only 28 when the car accident happened the first time & my first experience of chiropractic. I do swear by it! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess two wrongs make a right; I don’t know what would frighten me more – the alligator or a chiropractor… 🙂
I’m glad to hear it has worked for you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good thing Fear Factor isn’t on anymore. You would be a perfect contestant. Me too because I’m claustrophobic so they would have had a field day with me. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d be out in the first five minutes… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay! for a full recovery.
Here is Warre Democrat Emily Dickinson of the virtue of believing in science:
“Faith” is a fine invention
For Gentlemen who see!
But Microscopes are prudent
In an Emergency!
LikeLiked by 1 person
great,poem – such timeless wisdom!
LikeLike
Ouchee Jim. I’ve been there – the old ankle rollover. Yes, I knew about RICE, amazing how science works! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
simple, but effective…
LikeLiked by 1 person