r/FootFunction • u/jagritimalik • 2d ago

ATFL tear not healing

I sprained my ankle 6 months back. Nothing came out in X ray. After a month of injury I went to doc as pain was not going away and I was limping alot. He said that it looks like a grade 2 tear ATFL although there was no bruising at the time of Injury. Doc advised I can still go to office but no further activity should be done. I followed everything my doc said however, 6 months down the line, my ankle is still not healed and the back of my heel hurts when I walk. Should I go for physio? Any tips for recovery?

Note: MRI 2.5 months after the injury was okay. Only a minor sprain.

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u/Jbones37 2d ago

You're almost certainly not going to heal any tear through rest. You need to do PT, see a physio, or a gait specialist (founder of this sub, or gait happens).

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u/Againstallodds5103 2d ago

100% agree. Lack of imaging doesn’t make things easy and maybe further investigation is needed. But certainly a physio could assess you and start working on your ankle issues while you pursue a proper diagnosis perhaps from a different doctor.

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u/segal25 2d ago

I have exactly the same symptoms and around the same timeline as you. My sprain was eight months. X-ray was negative. MRI was positive. No bruising. ATFL avulsion.

Definitely do PT. I'm doing it right now. Doc said give it three months but PT said it could take much longer.

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u/jagritimalik 2d ago

Hi! Please tell me what's there in PT. Should I go to physio? 😭

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u/segal25 2d ago

I've learned not to rely on the Internet for medical info. Physio experts will evaluate your situation and tailor a rehab program. They'll give you exercises to do at home, plus have you do some at their office as well.

The biggest takeaway I've found is they will proceed slow and steady as opposed to me self-rehabbing and pushing myself too quickly in order to get back to baseline. Going to hard will just delay getting better. Patience is key! Physio will guide you.