Question: I sprained my ankle a little over 3 months ago and have continued pain and swelling. After x rays and an MRI the doctor said there is still a bruise on my ankle bone, slight thickening in the outside ligament and fluid in the peroneal tendon sheath. He is recommending surgery. Is surgery really necessary?

I don't have a flat foot, so that's not an issue. I can't seem to upload the MRI as there must be a copyright on it. When I try to download the images, the program immediately closes.
So here's what my doctor wants to do... go in with a scope in one incision and in another scrape the ligament to thin it down. Make another 3" or so incision to drain the fluid from the peroneal tendon sheath. After surgery, 2 weeks with a bandage and immobilized in a walking boot. After the bandage is removed 2 more weeks in a boot and then physical therapy at home. I'm wondering is surgery is really my only option...?? I have yet to read that surgery is necessary if there isn't a complete tear in a tendon or ligament. Your thoughts on this?
Is Gross Tablet Chymoral forte over the counter? Typically, how long does it take to heal a bone bruise? And, could some of the swelling be due to this?
Thanks!

Also... how this happened... I didn't see the last stair at the landing of the stairs at the hotel. Only my heel caught the stair and my foot fell off and my ankle rolled really hard. I stumbled, caught myself and had to sit down on the floor since it hurt so bad. I was able to walk after. I iced it and wrapped it, but since I was out of town on business, couldn't really rest it as it needed, as I had work to do that had to be done.

I didn't receive an MRI report, only the actual disc with images that won't let me upload to my computer and won't let me share or email. You would need the actual disc to see the MRI results. There is no tear in any ligament or tendon. My doctor told me because there is no tear, I no longer need to wear the hard soled walking boot. (I had been wearing that for a month prior to the MRI).
Still not sure what your thoughts are on if I need the procedure described previously? Or my other questions... Please respond.

Thanks!

Thank you for getting back to me. I have one final question.... I read yesterday that a bone bruise can take up to a year or longer to heal and that they cause swelling and fluid to build up around them. I have a large bone bruise still visible on the MRI (3 months after the injury) on my ankle bone. Could this be the cause of the continued soreness and swelling???? The article also said bone bruises are very slow in healing and are very painful. IF this is the case and the bone is still bruised, how is surgery going to help? It makes sense to me that if this is the possible cause of the swelling, that after surgery, it'll continue to do so... Does this make sense to you as well???