I sprained my ankle two days before I start a new job.

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ironpony
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06 Apr 2021, 8:38 pm

I sprained my ankle two days before I start a new job. I hope it heels by then, bu if it doesn't, should I cancel or should I go in anyway, and try to work it best I can even though it's very slow for me to walk at the moment? Or maybe in two days I will be likely better and should chance it that morning? What do you think?



kraftiekortie
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06 Apr 2021, 8:53 pm

What sort of job is it?



ironpony
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06 Apr 2021, 8:56 pm

Greenhouse work.



BeaArthur
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06 Apr 2021, 9:04 pm

Go to the doc, get an aircast, and show up to work. You might have to ask for light duty for 3 days or so.


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ironpony
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06 Apr 2021, 9:08 pm

I won't be able to get into the doc before work though, and would have to wait for an appointment though, so if I cannot get in in time, should I still go into work?



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06 Apr 2021, 9:11 pm

My thought is to show up for the first day because showing up makes an impression which can't be made by not showing up.
People generally recognize that random injuries happen & will heal, especially when they can SEE the injury.
They cannot see what doesn't show up.

I'm the kind of person who would show up at the appointed time and announce with a big smile, "Ain't that how life goes, want to make a good impression on my first day at a new job and here I had the dumb luck to get a sprained ankle. Anyway, here I am!"

And the employer, theoretically, thinks, "aw man, sorry about your bad luck, well, ya got here, that's a good thing, let's see what we got that you can do"


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ironpony
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06 Apr 2021, 9:16 pm

I can do that. But I want to make a good impression and work though, so is there anything I can do about the sprained ankle to move faster? I know I am not asking for a doc's advice, but I cannot get into a doctor in time before the first work day, so is there anything I can do therefore? I feel like I could work if I could kill the pain but tylenol is not cutting it though, if something else might?



IsabellaLinton
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06 Apr 2021, 9:45 pm

Voltaren gel
NSAIDs
Wrap your ankle in a tensor bandage
Wear a walking boot / air boot if possible
Use a cane or crutches if you need to

Definitely go to work even after seeing your doctor.


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BeaArthur
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06 Apr 2021, 9:46 pm

Don't they have walk-in clinics or "urgent care" where you are? This is not something that you should have to wait two to four weeks for! You are in pain and disabled from working, NOW.

I have sprained an ankle and I have broken an ankle. The sprain was 6 weeks of suffering before I finally went in and got it looked at - and as soon as they put that aircast on me, I could go about my business with no trouble. Now that was before a I broke an ankle. When I broke it, I thought I had just sprained it, but x-ray and physical exam showed that I had broken it, and they sent me to the emergency department and it got a cast (and I got some strong meds) the same day.

Either way, keep that ankle elevated and ice it 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off, as long as possible. These two things will decrease swelling and reduce pain. Take Tylenol (acetaminophen) at the recommended dose around the clock; you can also take an anti-inflammatory analgesic like aspirin or ibuprofen at the same time as the Tylenol because they have a different mode of action. Topical pain patches or diclofenac (Voltaren) gel may provide additional relief.

Until you can get in to see a doc, wrap the ankle in an ace bandage, snugly but not tightly.

Hope you feel better soon! I also agree with another commenter that you should show up your first day at the appointed time.


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ironpony
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06 Apr 2021, 9:48 pm

I can go to the clinic but the line up is usually pretty long, so I can go tomorrow, but if I cannot get in tomorrow, as a plan B, for work the day after, what should I do? Should I buy an aircast in a store then?



ironpony
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06 Apr 2021, 9:50 pm

IsabellaLinton wrote:
Voltaren gel
NSAIDs
Wrap your ankle in a tensor bandage
Wear a walking boot / air boot if possible
Use a cane or crutches if you need to

Definitely go to work even after seeing your doctor.


Oh okay but my job requires me to use my arms to do the work, so I cannot use a cane or crutches. Do these walking boots actually help you walk fast enough for a job though?



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06 Apr 2021, 9:54 pm

If you can't walk, I'd say order one online. You'll need it whether or not you go to work. I think if you show up to work in good faith and demonstrate that you've been injured, they will look favourably upon you and give you light duties as someone else mentioned. It's bad timing - awful timing - but unless your ankle is turning black and blue and you think it's broken, there likely isn't much a doctor can do. I've never broken or seriously sprained an ankle, but I sympathise because I know how painful it must be. I broke the ball of my foot twice in two months, and wore an air boot whilst I was also using a walker after having a stroke. It was hard to get around but the air boot definitely helped. I got my boot at the ortho clinic of the hospital but I'm sure you can find one online.

No, it won't help you walk super fast - but it will help you walk. I'm assuming right now you can't. It's a bad situation all around but I hope your employer will be supportive when they see your efforts.

Wishing you a quick recovery.


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ironpony
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06 Apr 2021, 9:58 pm

Okay thank you very much. But if I order online it will take like a month to get here. Is it possible I could get in the next 24 hours somehow?



IsabellaLinton
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06 Apr 2021, 10:02 pm

Amazon Prime?


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ironpony
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06 Apr 2021, 10:04 pm

Is there any place you can buy in a city, like at some sort of building or store, and just walk in, buy it, walk out, rather than ordering?



IsabellaLinton
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06 Apr 2021, 10:14 pm

Most likely. Check around online for Home Healthcare providers near you, or even call physiotherapists and ask them. Any place that sells wheelchairs, walkers, or assistive devices like bathtub seats should sell them, or be able to recommend a place.

Good luck!


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