SI Question - Puffy Ankle/hit a nerve?

[not_so_insig]

I SIed on my ankle and it's gotten puffy. It's not horrendously hot or anything, and I dont think it is infected. I am in a little amount of pain, but other cuts further up my leg hurt more, so I think it is because it's less than 24 hours since I cut.

Also I am getting muscle twitches/jerks in that leg also (particularly bad when I have sat down/been still for a while), could I have hit a nerve when I SIed? Otherwise, how else would I know I have? I think it may be possible as the skin around my ankle is thinner than higher up the leg (where the rest of the cuts are).

The only other symptom I have is feeling light headed, but I did lose a fair amount of blood, and also I am on my month (and it's a heavy bleed!!) which isnt helping. So I think it is down to the time of the month more than the SIing.

[fragile as glass]

First: the lightheadedness is 99.9% due to blood loss.

Second: the twitching is likely to be you nicking a nerve. If it carries on you may have cut through it. I tend to leave mine to heal alone but if you're worried see your GP about it.


Your ankle will puff up especially if you have a job when on your feet a lot. Every opportunity you have, lift up your leg and rest it to give the fluid a chance to disperse (flow away) from the ankle area. Watching TV at night - foot up, homework (don't know your age, sorry!) foot up. You get my drift!

Hope you feel better soon. x

[not_so_insig]

Thanks fragile as glass.

I dont have a job though nor am in school (too old!), so I spend too much time sitting on my bottom!! But yes I will try to get the feet up as much as possible, but it's hard because then the twitching gets bad!! I find it easier if I have the feet on the floor. It's all swings and roundabouts though.

I think I will keep an eye on the cut and the twitching, and like you said, go to see an GP if things get worse.

My lightheadness has virtually gone now, but then again I am not bleeding so much (period is easing off!). I didnt SI last night, so I guess that helped (my SI is quite frequent atm).

[Animad]

The lightheadedness may have been from blood loss (though I'd not expect it to go so quickly apart from the fact your body compensates for the loss) or it may have been down to the fact that you'd cut and that had bled a bit and you were in shock as wll as the adrenaline rushing through your blood.

Have you got any loss of sensation in that area or below it on the same part of your leg? Compare it to the same area on the other leg. Also, is the twitch always in the same direction? Is there any shooting, electric shock like pains or any pains that feel like you've got cramp? Can you walk ok? How swollen is it as it may be the swelling that's putting pressure on a nerve and therefore causing problems rather than direct damage. As well as this, it may be that it is a muscle you've caught or gone near (and the swelling is putting pressure on that) which is causing the twitching.

As said, try and keep your foot up. I'd also suggest putting a Tubigrip bandage on your ankle during the day. Size D for medium ankles (C for small, E for large) and take this off at night. Putting ice on the area (with a damp towel between the ice and your skin) for up to 15mins every hour may also help reduce both the pain and swelling. If it doesn't hurt slowly rotating your ankle and things may help to reduce any fluid pooling there though if it is just swelling this will make no difference.

Due to your signs and as you're wondering if you've hit a nerve it's probably a good idea if you take a trip to A&E or the doctors. If it hurts to walk or on moving your ankle DEFINITELY go and ASAP (and if this is the case it is better not to drive as it could reduce your ability to do things like emergency stops or good clutch control which can cause serious problems with your driving and can also be very dangerous as I'm sure you can appreciate).

[not_so_insig]

Thanks Animad,

The pain is like a shooting pain. I can walk ok, though it is more uncomfortable rather than extremely painful, nor am I hobbling either. Yes the twitch is always the same way. Loss of sensation: there is a little loss directly around the area, but further up the leg is normal, and my foot is definitely normal.

I am not sure how swollen it is, but when compared to other (non SIed) ankle there is a difference. I can move the ankle ok, but like I said, it is rather uncomfortable/minor pain and when compared to 24 hours ago, is a lot better.

I dont think I do have any tubigrip bandages (well I have one but it's for my wrist so I dont think it will fit!), but I will buy some more tommorow if I dont

I cannot drive, so at least the road is safe. If you have any further questions please reply.

[Animad]

Yep. The size up from the one you use on your wrist would usually be the correct size though if you are at all unsure then check with the pharmacist as obviously people's proportions are not an accurate science. You can always show them the other ankle if you dont want them to see the cut though due to the swelling it is better for them to see that one.

If it doesn't start to improve over the next couple of days then you need to get it checked out at the doctors to make sure no serious damage has been done. It sounds like as it's getting better though this won't be needed! If you're not taking meds that interact with it/ have asthma or other conditions that mean you can't use it and presuming also that you don't purge (it can damage your stomach and purging (/vomiting in general) leaves your stomach more vulnerable to this), you could also use some Ibuprofen (if you do purge generally Ibuprofen gel would be better but due to the wound I would not recommend this) which would take down the swelling. The dose is on the leaflet and read the leaflet carefully to make sure there is no reason why you can't take it as I haven't mentioned them all. As well as that, make sure you take it with food. Though, even if this takes the pain away, remember that it is still injured and therefore don't go putting a lot of strain on it.

If it does start to worsen definitely go and see your doctor.

Just to mention too, to me it doesn't sound like you have hit a nerve (though it is possible), however it is more likely a muscle that has been damaged if any and really I think it's probably just down to the muscle putting pressure on the area. Damage to the muscle can be serious so just because I'm saying that it doesn't mean it's any less dangerous that nerve damage (which of course it may still be).