Dr Foo examined the previous Xray and could not see any fracture. He had to do the smelly job of removing the half cast and examin Zaky’s foot. Zaky had already warned the doctor beforehand of the smell attack. Lol. Bcos his foot is still very swollen and he could barely put weight on it, the doctor suspected a ligament tear and suggested a MRI scan.
There are 2 ligaments in our ankle. The treatment is similar to fracture - plenty of rest, limited movement and little weight on it. In a very bad tear situation, surgery would be required but Dr Foo didn’t think we would end up there. MRI is expensive, which is why when he last sprained the same ankle, his coach suggested MRI and I conveniently ignored the suggestion. It was too troublesome to get referral letter and specialist appointment and all.
Bcos the half cast is uncomfortable and there isn’t a visible fracture, the doctor also recommended an aircast. Nana had that too, after she progressed from a full cast. I have thrown hers away, it couldn’t fit Zaky anyway. The aircast is very much welcome. Zaky can now air and wash his stinky foot and is happily without any cast at all at home.. until we nag at him.
Zaky got to comfortably sit in the wheelchair while I mummy him around. I even have to help him wipe down his stinky feet before the staff help with the aircast. I was worried that the staff will faint from the stench. He commented that his ankle is so swollen. I cannot see the “really swollen” part.
Bruises have appeared on both sides of the foot too.
The aircast is very expensive, more expensive than a good pair of branded shoes and it is only 1 boot. It cost us $250. Zzzzzzzz.
The MRI was done at the HMI medical center across the road. Zaky was comfortably wheelchaired over. New achievement unlocked - the 1st in the family to get a MRI. He said that it was very boring; he basically laid on the bed for 20 mins in the same position while the scan takes place.
What was very funny was that the clinic staff (2 of them) thought that Zaky was my “brother”. For a while, I was super pleased, thinking that I look very young. Actually not; they both thought that Zaky is very old. Hmmmm… ya, he probably looks 30 YO. Lol. They took a 2nd look at him and still commented the same. Muahahaha.
The MRI report took a couple of days. I just received a very medically worded report and thankfully, there is copilot. I asked copilot to explain in simple terms. Copilot says:
“You have a severe ankle sprain with torn ligaments, bone bruising, and irritated tendons, but no broken bones or tendon ruptures.
More plainly:
Two of the main outer ankle ligaments are badly torn (one is completely torn)
One inner ankle ligament is partially torn
There is bruising inside the ankle bones from impact
The ankle joint and nearby joints are inflamed and swollen
Several tendons around the ankle and heel are overused and inflamed, but not torn
Overall, this represents a serious ligament injury to the ankle, often from a strong twist or roll, with associated inflammation — but importantly, the joint surfaces and tendons are still intact.”
I also asked copilot if surgery would be required for situations like this and copilot says:
“ Most people with this injury do NOT need surgery.
The usual treatment is non‑surgical (conservative), especially at the beginning.
Usual treatment approach
1️⃣ Early phase (first few weeks)
Goal: reduce pain, swelling, and protect healing ligaments
Immobilisation
Walking boot or ankle brace (often 2–6 weeks depending on pain/stability)
Rest, ice, elevation
Anti‑inflammatory medication (if suitable)
Limited or protected weight‑bearing initially
2️⃣ Rehabilitation phase
Goal: restore strength, motion, and stability
Physiotherapy is essential, focusing on:
Range of motion
Strengthening surrounding muscles
Balance and proprioception (to prevent re‑injury)
Gradual return to normal walking, then sport/activity
✅ Even with a complete ATFL tear, many patients heal well with rehab and never need surgery.”
So, the good news is that no surgery would be required for now. The bad news is that Zaky may not recover in time if we decided to go for a snowboarding trip at the end of the year. Then, he can build snowman while we go snowboarding. That was exactly what Nana did when we went snowboarding in Iyama Japan in end 2024. Lol.
MRIs are very expensive and copilot says that MRI is usually not required for the monitoring of the recovery, but the state of recovery is more based on the doctor’s assessment. Another MRI may be needed if recovery doesn’t happened as planned after a period of time.
Accidents that happened in school are actually covered by the school’s insurance, though I duno what kind of coverage it will be. We will file a report anyhow and decide later if claims from the school is needed.
It is time to rent that wheelchair.
Mummy Lim
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