Infuriatingly Slow Recovery

I hurt my ankle over three weeks ago. I still don't know how. Every indication is toward soft tissue injury rather than a broken or fractured bone. Ice, rest, and acetaminophen seem to be the only remedy.

I pushed myself too hard after two weeks, and it felt like I set myself back to square one again, but recovery was much faster this time around. I am again able to walk almost, but not quite, normally for short distances. It's that infuriating stage of recovery where I want to just be done with the rest, but I know if I screw up, I'll be right back at the beginning for a third time.

I still have my splint on hand from my first aid kit. It has a metal (aluminum?) sheet inside a foam protective layer in high-visibility orange. I formed it roughly to fit under my foot and wrap up both sides of my calf to limit movement while I hobbled around on crutches. This, and a couple Ace-style elastic bandages, should be in your first aid kit. I'll vouch for its usefulness. They are reusable, but due to wear and tear, the metal is starting to poke through. I'll be replacing it for my kit. Oh, look, I already have a spare!

Do you have a proper first aid kit in your car, and emergency medical supplies? Have you taken any basic first aid training to handle broken bones, cuts, and CPR? Do you know how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)? Emergency services are great, but never forget you may need to be your own first responder, or be the first responder for someone else while the pros are on the way. Get trained. Get more than a glorified boo-boo kit. You will be better prepared for life's challenges, and you might just save a life.