Brief Answer:
If ankle swelling is recent then 6 weeks rest and care is recommended

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.

1. You have written that XXXXXXX recently had a hit on the shin of his left leg and the ankle injury on right side occurred when he was younger. From this it is understood that the right ankle injury must have taken place months to years back. Please correct me if I am wrong.

2. An ankle injury which is mild in nature usually heals by itself in 6 weeks time. I wonder whether XXXXXXX twisted his right ankle again recently and this is to be known.

3. The warm bath with epsom salts, alternating cold and hot water and ointments work well for a recent injury. Ankle sprain is a soft tissue injury involving the ligaments and tendons and it heals in 6 weeks after the injury.

4. If XXXXXXX had the injury long back and has had swelling and pain for a long time then he requires a MRI scan of the ankle to know if any of the muscles or ligaments in the region have undergone chronic injury which has happened over time.

5. In conclusion, if XXXXXXX noticed the ankle swelling recently then he should rest it for 6 weeks and take epsom bath, alternating heat and cold treatment and use pain relief ointment. At night he might elevate his right foot with the help of a pillow and during the day he should avoid weight bearing on the right ankle.

Should his ankle swelling be more than 6 weeks in duration with pain in the region then he should consult his doctor ang get assessed clinically and i required then they might tel him to get ankle MRI done to know XXXXXXX chronic muscle or ligament injury.

Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

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