Strained ankle - how long to rest before returning to rowing

[hugh_]

I rolled my ankle while running on Saturday, proving the theory that its a bad idea for rowers to do anything by row... It made a pretty horrible cracking/grinding/popping noise as I went down and it literally looked like I had a tennis ball in my ankle a few hours later, but a visit to A&E and an xray later suggested it isn't broken/fractured and just a sprain.

I've been keeping it elevated and cooled while in the office and when I can in the evening, and the swelling is significantly reduced and the bruising has stopped darkening and spreading now.

I've been using a crutch to keep the weight off it when I can, but I can walk unaided and stairs are now less of a problem, I'm still using the rail to keep the weight of it though. Even with a crutch walking on even slightly uneven paths is uncomfortable and it feels weak.

I've been doing exercises and up/down mobility is good, and rocking and twisting are improving. Its best when its been elevated and cooled, but less so when its been down for an hour or so or used.

Any advice on how much to use it, or not, and what else I can do to speed up recovery would be appreciated as it's regatta season at the moment so I'm keen to get back into rowing as soon as possible. I'm hoping that because rowing shouldnt put any lateral or unstable force on it I can get back to rowing much faster than I would be able to running (for instance).

[Brother D]

Make sure you give it plenty of rest, but you sound like you're on the right track with current program of mobility exercises. Don't try and get back to rowing too early and delay the healing process but I struggle to think what exercise you can do keep fit with your ankle out of action. I can recommend some physios if you want proper advise (they specialise at the top athletic GB level), ping me if you want more info.

Ps if you row for Durham/Vesta/London then it sounds terminal and you'd better stay out this season