Swelling after healing?

by Alisa Smith-McMahon
(Lawrenceville, GA)

My 7 year old injured his ankle (not playing football or ice hockey), but on a tree root at the ice cream parlor. We went to the Orthopedic Surgeon and were x-rayed and placed in a boot for 3 weeks. After viewing the x-ray after the 3 week period, it clearly showed a fracture on the bone on top of the growth plate. It simply looked to be a different shade of color on the x-ray. The growth plate had good space and didn't look to be damaged at all. The doctor told us to keep him in a lace-up brace for the next week or so, but that he could play football and hockey if he felt like he could, but not to push it. He also told us to do exercises where he goes up on his toes, hold for a count of 3 and down (and repeat as many times as he can). He got the boot off yesterday, and played exactly 4 plays in a football game today. (We kept it to a minimum because I am a very worried Mama who has had serious ankle injuries herself.) I also taped the ankle myself. I knew it would be more stable than the lace up brace. He now has a very tiny bit of welling, but no bruising. (You probably wouldn't see it if you weren't looking for it. I am icing it as I type. My question is, should he play/practice any more this week, or should we take another week or two to heal even more?
The doctor told us we didn't need to come back for another follow up visit. I just want to make sure that he won't re-injure the ankle/growth plate, and that we've given it enough time to heal. Is the swelling a sign that he should stay off it a bit longer?
Please help. The doctor was so indifferent to the whole thing, I just wasn't completely confident in his final "okay" diagnosis. I don't want my 7 year old to have growth problems, or need surgery at this age.
Thanks for your help!

Alisa Smith-McMahon
Football & Hockey Mom in Georgia