Is it good for the ankle to swim, if it is sprained?

Should I swim tomorrow or not?

• Tomorrow, I have a meet. I'm not so thrilled partly because I'm getting bored of swimming every single day and the other part, because of my ankle. About two months ago, I sprained an ankle ligament. My mom and I believe that I sprained the ligament when I fell down the stairs at homecoming. The fall wasn't huge and it didn't hurt - didn't stop people. I was fine then but as time went on, my ankle got sore to the point where it was literally hard for me to swim and to keep swimming because my ankle hurt so bad. Well, after a trip of the doctor which I insisted on doing so (and going to my school's sports trainer - I forget their title). Found out I sprained the ligament and was given instructions on how to heal it. I still swam all through it though. I was able to keep up with the exercises and icing for a few days but then my laziness came in and I stopped. Well, it's been two months and my ankle is starting to hurt when I swim - it's even a little harder to swim now. The problem appeared around Wednesday this week. I didn't even go to practice today because my ankle is so uncomfortable and a bit swollen even though it doesn't look like it. I'm still going to go and support my team - of course but should I swim or not?

• Answer:

  I would guess that means you're kick is bad. I did something similar with my knee. Actually, I hurt it falling down stairs at Homecoming... It healed and I was doing running for a few months before swim started, then only a few weeks into swim it started hurting again. I had to get out and stretch and massage it until it stopped hurting, then swim with a pull-bouy for the rest of practice. Eventually, after my coach looked at my stroke, I found out I wasn't bending my knee enough on my downkick. In your ankle, it could mean you aren't pointing your feet, or maybe you are pushing on them too hard. Try just relaxing them while swimming. Flip turns are going to be hell until it stops hurting though. it Yes. You should swim tomorrow. Even if you swam the longest events (in HS), you wouldn't be swimming more than 1000 yards (including warm up). It's not bad enough to miss a meet. Maybe a few practices later (if you don't have any meets coming right up). Make sure you stretch them and try to take it easy unless you are racing for now.