What a way to get some time off.

[Tobin S.]

The trucking gods frowned upon me today. I have probably climbed in and out of a truck a hundred thousand times and never hurt myself, but it happened today. They say it's the most common source of injury for truckers.

I was switching containers when I stepped down out of the truck and turned my ankle. I was getting out of the truck properly, but I stepped down awkwardly on a ledge where some pavement met a gravel lot, just a little ledge, and came down on it with all my weight. Pop! It hurt so badly I thought I had broken it and I wouldn't know differently until after an emergency room visit and some x-rays.

I finished switching those containers, but I could barely walk and I couldn't operate the gas and brake pedals without a lot of pain (it was my right ankle). Thank goodness I was at my employer's yard. I couldn't continue working. I parked the truck and called for help and they took me to the hospital.

They're saying it's a bad sprain right now. I have to go back next week for a follow up visit. They say there could be some ligament damage. My ankle is all swollen up and I have an air splint on it right now. I've got some crutches to use if I have to stand and walk around more than briefly. I've had some sprained ankles before, but nothing like this.

[LiberalEsto]

1. That's a total bummer, Tobin

I hope you feel better and heal quickly.

Can someone get you a tube of arnica to put on the injured areas?

It's a safe herbal gel that I've been using on my sciatica for several years, as well as for bumps and bruises. It's not for use on cut or broken skin, though.

It's sold at Vitamin Shoppes and GNC. My supermarket sells it next to the Ben-Gay, etc.

Article about arnica: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/arnica-000222.htm

[catnhatnh]

2. I did that with my brother's Freightliner changing a 30 yd...

metal machining scraps.Container was leaking oil on ground, which got on shoes, which slid me off the tank step....one minute I'm exiting the truck in a normal manner and the next I'm standing on the ground bent over like Quasimodo after a bell ringing tour, still holding the complete inside armrest in my right hand-not that it was any longer connected to the truck...

It's painful and I'm sure amusing to watch-but the word that most comes to mind was "Boy, that was sudden."

[Tuesday Afternoon]

3. ahh, Tobin that is too bad. Sprains can be very painful. That 'pop' noise you heard makes me think

that you very well could have some ligament damage. What a bummer way to get time off, dude

Feel better soon and <----One for Jen, too

[Kali]

4. ouch

that sucks - I did that once getting off a horse, slipped on a gravely slope with slick-bottom cowboy boots. Felt something pop and was stuck a couple miles from home (pre cell phone days) had to get back on (ouch) and get home to have help getting the boot off - dumb move should have taken it off right away - my ankle swelled up pretty good in the hour it took to get home. Had a hairline crack and pulled some ligaments. I was young so I think I hobbled around for a couple weeks with it wrapped and got over it eventually.

Knees are a different story but enough about me

hope it doesn't set you back too much. can you get a truck with all hand controls?

[Tobin S.]

6. Worker's Comp is picking up the tab.

I'm going to lose a pay check, though. No short term disability insurance. They can probably make a truck with all hand controls, but I'd need an elevator lift attached to the driver's side of the cab.

[Bertha Venation]

5. Dammit, Tobin!

I am so sorry to hear this. A badly sprained ankle is one of the most painful injuries one can have. I am thinking good, healing thoughts for you and sending you good vibes.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. Ouch, my dear Tobin!

I feel for you! Sprained ankles are so painful...

Maybe you know this acronym: RICE

R=rest

I=ice

C=compression

E=elevation




Take care, and I hope you feel much better quickly!

for you and Jen!

[RebelOne]

8. Oh, Tobin, I can feel your pain.

Many years ago, when platform shoes were in vogue, I slipped on a step and broke my ankle. I heard the bone pop and that was a really scary sound. I threw those shoes away. Hope you recover quickly. It is said that ankle sprains are more painful than broken ankles. I have had both and they seemed to be equally painful.

[rurallib]

9. had one like that once

so I have an idea how much pain you're in.
Hurt mine playing basketball.
When the doc looked at it he gave me a heavy pain killer even though the pain hadn't settled in.
Sure did about an hour later.
Doc said I'd been much better off had I broken it.

To add to your situation - we don't heal as fast as we age --- BUT medicine has come a long way in 40 years since I popped mine.

one other odd thing - I have never had full feeling in half of my right foot since then.

ETA - good luck and good healing

[IdaBriggs]

10. SYMPATHY! They say sprains hurt worse than breaks!

My husband sprained his ankle during a volleyball game - it was NOT a fun time.

[UTUSN]

11. Because of a detail I'm omitting,you have deeper empathy than can be known. Wishes for easy recovery

[Major Nikon]

12. I saw a guy lose his finger when his wedding ring got caught as he was jumping off a truck

A bad sprain can hurt longer than a broken foot. If it hurts as bad as you say you probably have some tearing to muscles and ligaments. You'll probably need physical therapy later on.