I've broken some bones in my days and I've torn some ligaments in my days. That sounds more like a broken bone. Get a second opinion or additional x-rays. Do anything possible to reduce swelling to avoid future problems. Also, don't do whatever caused it in the first place - that wasn't smart (unless it was).

My meter for determining a broken bone from something else is sleep. If I can't sleep or am throwing from from the pain, it's typically because of a break. If I am relatively comfortable until moving the problem area and then in pain, it's typically a ligament. Typically.

Also - pain is probably worse because it is still swollen. Ice it.

I had a pretty bad ankle sprain back in September. It swelled a good bit and bruised below the ankle. X-rays came back negative, and pretty much my therapy was constant icing, ultrasounds twice a week, and cycling. Yep, I was actually able to continue cycling, but getting my foot in my cycling shoes the first couple of days was a bit of a pain. I could barely walk on it for a week or two, and honestly had I gone to another doctor, I would have probably been in a boot. I was back running on it one day a week after 8 weeks. Even then, it still hurt a bit on sharp left turns but I had stability in the ankle. To this day, I still don't have the same flexibility as my right ankle (which was my worse ankle from an ankle sprain back in college), but I'm running about 4-5 days a week now.

If you're not icing it, ice it. Multiple times a day. Also keep it elevated as much as possible. Pain should start to go away. If it doesn't, may need to get it reevaluated by the doctor.

My experience with an ankle sprain (a year ago) was similar to geauxtri's. I'd second everything above, and also add that, when you get to that point, a really experienced physical therapist (esp. one who understands distance athletes) will do wonders. I had a crappy one then a good one and it made a huge difference.

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Yes, you should got back to a doc if worse 8 days later.
1. Have the xrays done to be 100% sure you don't have anything broken. Also, may want to have an MRI to ensure you don't have any ligament tears.
2. Sounds exactly like what I had as a soccer player in high school. I'll be honest here, it put me out 8-10 weeks and then I only came back with a pretty robust brace that i needed for about 3-4 months on top of that. Here was my experience, YMMV, I am by no means medically trained.

What kind of air cast do they have you in? Most air casts are a tool for support if you're trying to put weight on it. If you're not putting weight on it, you should be in an immobilizing air cast/boot and compression wrap to immobilize and reduce swelling. Ice, ice, and ice. Ice massage the ankle, and find a PT that's going to be able to GO TO TOWN on your calf/leg massaging knots out due to imbalance of not being able to bear weight. As soon as you can bear some weight, start doing so as you want to have some stimulus, but you'll be on crutches for a while. Range of motion exercises as pain allows. I think they had me trace the alphabet or something like that.

Good luck!

Yea I would go back to the physician and get a second look. Not being able to put any weight on it or walk on it is cause for concern. Check out the Ottowa Ankle rules http://www.ohri.ca/...cdr_ankle_poster.pdf They're a gold standard for emergency care of suspected fractures.

If a grade III is suspected then you're looking at complete rupture which could be a different course of action. Xray may be warranted if you're not any better at this point and might explain the swelling and pain more if a fracture is present.

Some people swell more than others but swelling is definitely a cause for more pain and discomfort. It will also limit motion so gentle active ROM is going to be best at this phase if nothing is broken. Managing it first is key with elevation, cold therapy and NSAIDs if prescribed. Consistent NSAIDs will help mitigate the inflammatory response better than several times. Some MDs will prescribe 800mg a few times a day for the acute phase.

Rehab by a good ortho/sports specialist as mentioned above will help once you are ready for that point.

Good luck man!

Thanks for the advice.
I made an appointment to see my doc again today. I'll update for posterity and the next unlucky sap.

I sprained my ankle nearly 4 months ago, and I am STILL on crutches and in a boot.
Very similar symptoms as you, in fact after 3 weeks it still wasn't any better and causing quite alot of pain at night. I was pretty miserable.
I was sure a facture was missed, but turns out I just messed up a whole bunch of ligaments.
I disagree with cnut, I have also broken bones and torn ligaments, and you can't tell what you did by the pain.This pain kept me up at night, and it wasn't broken. Where as I fractured my foot 3 years ago, and was walking on it all day before I went to see the doctor. Once it was in a cast I didn't even feel it again. You're better to break a bone as it will heal up and be good as new, whereas a ligament will never ever be the same again. I am now dealing with a flat foot, medial and lateral instability, and I'm pretty sure my entire 2014 season is a write off.

Best of luck. I hope you're not one crutches for as long as I have been, and your recovery is quick.