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The response to the question below was authored by Marc Mitnick DPM

Messed up Ankle??

by Volleyball player who is desperate to get this injury fixed.
(saint louis, MO)

i sprained my ankle about almost three weeks ago in volleyball. I swelled up and bruised. The bruising went away but the swelling never did. I went to the doctor and they just said a sprained ligament and to wear a brace for a week and no sports for a week. It still hurts and is still very swollen. When i go up stairs or just certain movements it feels like something is moving or this ripping sensation. It pops more loudly than usual. Also om the left side of my foot/ankle there is a knot or lump it is hard when i touch it it feels numb. Also i feel that its there when i walk.


RESPONSE
Hi,
It would seem to me that there is more going on that just a simple ankle sprain. If all these sensations you mention are new since the accident then the ankle and probably the surrounding ligaments and tendons are not functioning correctly.
You do not mention what type of doctor you went to, but unless it was a foot specialist, chances are your problem was under treated. You do not mention whether or not, at the very least, an x-ray was taken by your doctor.
I assume you are fairly young and in the case of a simple ligament sprain, if you had worn the ankle brace religiously and refrained by volleyball you would be feeling much improved by now with the possibility of some residual discomfort.
Fact is you are not better, so your problem is going to require further investigation. Go find yourself a doctor who specializes in feet and ankles. At this point another x-ray (if you even had a first x-ray) will be required because sometimes small fractures do not initially show up on x-ray, but after the passing of a few weeks they will show as the body begins to heal the area.
Based on your complaints there might be more going on than just a simple crack in the bone. It sounds like more severe damage to one of your ligaments or even a tendon issue. This might require an MRI to determine the extent of possible damage to soft tissue around the ankle.
Until you can get to a doctor, make sure you are wearing the brace (if you have stopped) as this will help stabilize the ankle.
If getting back to volleyball as soon as possible is your primary goal then your problem is going to require proper medical care.

Marc Mitnick DPM
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ADDITIONAL REFERENCES

Mayo Clinic

Johns Hopkins Medicine

MedlinePlus

Arthritis Foundation

University of Rochester Medical Center

Harvard Health

Drugs.com

American Academy of Pediatrics

Penn State Medical Center

National Institutes of Health

Columbia University Department of Rehabilitation

ScienceDirect

Stanford Health Care

Illinois Bone and Joint Institute

Mount Sinai Hospital

Institute for Chronic Pain

University of Florida Health

American Family Physician

Cedars-Sinai

University of Maryland Medical Center
If you happen to live in the New York - New Jersey area and would like to visit our office

Dr. Marc Mitnick

151 Summit Ave.
Summit, NJ 07901
908-522-0761


To make an appointment online or for directions to our office click Dr. Marc Mitnick.

DISCLAIMER: The purpose of this site is purely informational in nature. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any medical condition. This information is not a substitute for advice from a medical professional. Please consult your healthcare provider for accurate diagnosis and treatment. The information presented here may be subject to errors and omissions.


SITE LAST UPDATED: APRIL 2026




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Unknown location

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Poland
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South Carolina
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location unknown


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anonymous



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Poland



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Seattle, WA


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location unknown



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New Jersey



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location unknown



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Evansville, IA



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San Diego, CA



Dr. Mitnick, Just want to say thank you so very much for your quick response and very informative reply! After reading what you had to say, I called the doctor's office and was able to get in and see him the same day as my injury. Toe was x-rayed and luckily, it is not broken or fractured. Very badly bruised and will probably lose the toe nail. And although my toe and toe nail are still very black and blue and very sore, they ARE both starting to feel a little better. So again, thank you! I am so very happy that I came across your website. The service you provide is outstanding and immeasurable!

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Albany, NY



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Whichita, KS



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Boston, MA



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Colorado



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Colorado

Wonderful advice

by: Anonymous

This is the best site for foot problem info.

Thank you for this information. This description fits my pain and inflammation behind my 2nd toe perfectly.

by: Max

location unknown
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Canada
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location unknown
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location unknown
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North Carolina
Many Thanks Dr Marc!
Thank you for your response. It sounds like a good plan to me. He did not cut the wart out first ...

KG

location unknown

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Florida
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Lynne T.

location unknown
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New Jersey


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a mom

location unknown


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Lenoir, NC


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Bellevue, WA


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location unknown

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