I hope this isn't too redundant but the other threads about ankle sprains I saw were about newer injuries.

I sprained my ankle 6 1/2 weeks ago. It was mild but I was a moron and danced at a night club a week later, worsening my injury greatly. I had it x-rayed in the ER and confirmed both my ankle and foot that were sprained, but no fracture.

I've been doing a lot of research and everyone says to wait until the pain is gone, but I don't know if swelling still counts as "pain." My range of motion is the same as my good foot, albeit a little "crackly" and even I hopped up and down on my bad ankle 10 times just to test it and it was fine. (I read somewhere this is a way doctors test if you are ready for exercise) I am still taking ibuprofen, resting, elevating, ice, etc.

The problem is if I walk on it for several blocks or do my rehabilation exercises it begins to swell several minutes later. Not visably or painfully, but it is uncomfortable. I do not have health insurance and cannot afford a dr visit out of pocket right now.

A regular has helped me out a little during this time, but my financial situation is becomming quite dire. My club won't allow me to work without heals and I fortunately already own a pair of boots I can wear a brace under from my last sprain 3 months ago. However considering it still swells I am not sure that I am fully healed and am caught between financial desperation and the fear that I will re-injure it by wearing stripper heels. I read on a ballet site that it can be healed but still swollen and it should be ok to do modified activity.

In the past with this injury there was a clearer distinction between healed vs. not healed and I am not sure what level if swelling, if any, is ok for returning to the club and wearing the big girl shoes. I'm rather tempted to see if they'll even notice if I'm only wearing tights, as I've gotten away with this before in the past when called out on stage before I'm fully dressed.

Any help is appreciated!