When Should You Seek Medical Care for a Sprained Ankle? Key Symptoms and Treatment Tips

Ankle injuries are very common, especially now that the weather is warmer and we are spending more time outdoors. Sports injuries or even just a misstep while walking can lead to an ankle injury. Although sprained ankles are notoriously painful and can be severe, they are often minor injuries to the ligaments that support the ankle joint and can heal on their own with proper care at home. Keep reading to learn more about the symptoms of sprained ankles and what signs suggest you should seek medical care for additional evaluation and treatment. 

If you’re in need of rapid care for a minor to moderate injury, such as a suspected sprained ankle, Priority 1 Urgent Care is here to help. Our doctors are able to provide rapid diagnosis and treatment for injuries on a walk-in basis, with no appointment necessary. Our clinic is equipped to effectively evaluate and treat the injury, although your doctor may refer you to receive X-ray imaging. Come on into the clinic today, or save a spot online below.

Understanding a Sprained Ankle 

It is important to understand what a sprained ankle is in order to know if you should seek medical care. A sprained ankle is an over flexion or extension causing a stretching or a minor tear in the ligaments that surround the ankle joint due to excessive force applied. When the ligaments are damaged, it can affect the stability of the ankle joint and can cause severe discomfort as well as additional symptoms like pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty bearing weight on the affected leg. Symptoms can last for days or even weeks to months in severe cases. 

When to Seek Medical Care 

If you think you have a sprained ankle, it’s worth seeking medical care for proper diagnosis and treatment. Sprained ankles can be very painful, and the symptoms can sometimes be confused with a more severe injury, like a broken bone. Your doctor will be able to assess the injury in more detail and take X-ray images to rule out a fracture or more severe injury that requires treatment. They will also be able to provide at-home care instructions and tools like crutches and splints to aid in recovery and help you get back on your feet faster. 

Treatment and Recovery for a Sprained Ankle 

If you injure your ankle and think you may have a sprain, you can try using the RICE method to start treatment at home. This includes: 

Rest: Resting the affected limb and avoiding putting weight on it so that it can heal 

Ice: Applying ice like packages of frozen vegetables on and off throughout the day to help reduce swelling and pain 

Compress: Applying a compression wrap to manage inflammation and swelling

Elevate: Keep the affected leg elevated as much as possible so that blood doesn’t pool around the injury and to help limit swelling and bruising. 

If your symptoms don’t improve within a few days or continue to worsen over time, you should seek medical care. Although sprained ankles can be cared for at home in most cases, it is important to receive a medical diagnosis to rule out further injury. 

Visit Priority 1 Urgent Care for Same-Day Injury Care 

Sprained ankles can be very painful injuries that can happen due to something as minor as a misstep while walking or rolling an ankle while playing sports. Although sprained ankles can usually be treated at home, you should always seek medical care to rule out severe damage to the joint or bones surrounding the joint. At Priority 1 Urgent Care, our doctors are available 7 days a week to provide rapid same-day care for minor to moderate injury problems like sprained ankles. 

Our office is equipped to provide a thorough evaluation of your injury. Based on the results, treatment options can vary, but the doctor will review the most effective course of treatment to ensure you recover quickly. We work with most medical insurance providers and gladly accept self-paying patients. We never require that you schedule an appointment; simply come into the office when it’s convenient for same-day injury care. Or, give us a call at (518) 867-8040 to learn more.