what will urgent care do for sprained ankle
This can ease swelling, which may also help reduce pain. Ice: Use ice packs and apply to the affected ankle every few hours the first two or three days. If so, keep reading to find out how to approach your sprain. Engaging stories provide the latest health information, with expert advice and commentary from local doctors and other providers. All ankle sprains, from mild to severe, require three phases of recovery: Phase 1 includes resting, protecting, and reducing swelling of your injured ankle. Mild to moderate sprains respond well to the R.I.C.E. All rights reserved. When Should You Go to the ER for Chest Pain? This content does not have an Arabic version. The urgent care center is designed to handle less serious illnesses and medical situations. Your ankle should be at an equal level with your heart. The most common symptoms include: If the provider suspects a sprain based on the physical exam, he or she will likely use imaging scans, such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans to assess the extent of the damage and to rule out fractures (broken bones) and other types of injuries. 2. Before joining OSF HealthCare in 2021, she worked in magazine editing, digital marketing and freelance writing. Balance and stability training is especially important to retrain the ankle muscles to work together to support the joint and to help prevent recurrent sprains. What are the health benefits of magnesium? or in a supportive ankle brace. If you tend to sprain your ankles, wrist, or other body parts, your ligaments could be weak, as could the surrounding tendons and muscles. Use Crutches If need be, try to use crutches as walking without them will further damage the ankle and make the healing process take a while. Treating your sprained ankle properly may prevent chronic pain and looseness. privacy practices. However, do not use heat while the ankle is still swollen, as this can increase inflammation and slow healing. Allergies, especially those that get worse during certain seasons. However, the National Athletic Trainers Association reviewed the evidence for the use of ice on injuries in 2013. Start by walking short distances within the house. | Cape Cod Healthcare From an accredited hospital Is your ankle larger than usual compared to other parts of your body? Are you asking yourself, should I go to the ER for a sprained ankle. Fever, Urgent Care Clinic or Emergency Room? But when allergies create symptoms that impair your quality of life or threaten it you need medical treatment right away. Place an ice pack or bag of frozen peas on the ankle for 15 to 20 minutes three times a day. However, if your ankle sprain isnt serious enough for urgent care, it will most likely be best to visit your PCP instead. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). You have a urinary tract infection, and now you feel like you need to go to the restroom all the time, nothing comes out, and you need another a course of antibiotics. What you think is a simple sprain could actually be a hairline fracture or other type of bone injury, a complex sprain, or a strain (damaged tendons or muscles). Its important to visit an urgent care for ankle sprains that dont heal within a few days. Going to urgent care for a doctors note is another benefit. Katie Faley is a Writing Coordinator for OSF HealthCare. A sprain occurs when one or more of the ligaments that stabilize and support the joint is stretched or torn as it is forced beyond its normal range of motion. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00150. After ruling out other causes of your pain, we may prescribe assistive devices to help support your joint and your injured ligaments so they can repair themselves over time. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to see a, Although it may seem like it, kale isnt a new vegetable. While your wallet should not determine where you get your care, choosing the appropriate level of care can mean getting the treatment you need without paying extra. Sprains are most likely to occur when you fall in a way that causes the ankle to twist, when walking or running on an uneven surface, during activities that require sudden jumping or pivoting, or when someone steps on your foot while you are in motion. We have put in one place the various policies that are important for our patients to understand. approach. Regardless of the extent of the injury, sprained ankle recovery and rehabilitation occurs in three phases. Here you can find FastMeds Notice of Non-Discrimination, Notice of Privacy Practices, Privacy Policy, Equal Opportunity Employer Statement and FastMed.coms Terms of Use. Urgent care providers can prescribe medications. If your ankle still Working Mom's Pneumonia Yes. In fact, approximately 30% of all sports injuries are ankle sprains and they have been described as one of the most common causes of a trip to the emergency room. This is especially likely if the tissues have become weak from disuse. Getting a sick note for work or school to verify when you need sick days is a convenient way urgent care supports your daily life. This involves resting the injured ankle for several days, applying ice to the affected area for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day for the first 24 hours, using elastic bandages to compress the ankle to reduce swelling, and keeping the injured ankle elevated above the heart to promote fluid drainage which reduces swelling. The worst thing you can do for your foot is to not let it rest. It is important to treat your injuries, no matter the circumstances. For self-care of an ankle sprain, use the R.I.C.E. National Athletic Trainers' Association position statement: Conservative management and prevention of ankle sprains in athletes. You twist your knee walking into the house. If you have experienced a mild injury to the ligaments of the ankle, simple treatment steps can treat the injury, which often include: The RICE Method. However, what you think is a sprain could be a number of other, more serious types of injuries, including a hairline fracture. Should you go to a hospital emergency room, an urgent care center or an express care center? According to a popular myth, a doctor can do nothing to treat a sprain. Our River Oaks emergency room, Katy emergency room, and Clear Creek emergency room areready to assist you at a moments notice. "They might have a sprain from a soccer game, a sore throat that family members are 'gifting each other', or one of those - 'I can't believe I hurt myself do that' injuries." Fog said AtlantiCare Urgent Care centers had . They can be very painful, and severe sprains can require months of recovery. Limit weight bearing and use crutches if necessary. FastMed operates almost 200 urgent care clinics in five states, under the brands of FastMed, CareSpot and MedPost. A few days of the RICE protocol should help your sprain feel better and improve mobility. Urgent Care: Whats the Difference? According to Dr. Davis, your child's ankle injury needs a doctor's attention if there is: Significant swelling. Compression can help control swelling as well as immobilize and support your injury. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Q and A: How to avoid an ankle injury, Reconstruct a ligament with tissue from a nearby ligament or tendon, Information about medical problems you've had, especially past ankle injuries, All the medications and dietary supplements you take. You did it again. For this reason, a person should see a doctor. Last medically reviewed on November 29, 2019. Depending on how many ligaments are injured, your sprain will be classified as Grade 1 (mild), 2 (moderate), or 3 (severe). These are conditions that are not life-threatening but should be treated within 24 hours. "@type":"WebPage", Particularly serious sprains can require surgery, physical therapy, and other long-term treatments. If your wound continues bleeding, is deep and gaping, or if you have concerns about infection, scarring or an outdated tetanus immunization, an urgent care professional has you covered. At a Glance Researchers found that buprenorphine can be safely started in the emergency department by people who use fentanyl either alone or with other, Urgent care centers are a vital part of the healthcare system. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. The second phase begins once you are able to put weight on the injured ankle. "image": { Below, find out what to do after spraining an ankle. , you can wrap a resistance band or towel under the ball of your foot and, holding the ends of the band or towel tightly, move your foot in every direction: up, down, to the right and to the left 10 times. For severe ankle sprains, your doctor may also consider treating Spraining the same part over and over stresses the joint and can lead to arthritis, loose joints, and tendon damage. "logo": { Should You Go to an Urgent Care for Vaginitis, Should You Go to an Urgent Care for Ankle Strains, 7331 Gaston Avenue, Suite 180, Dallas, TX, 75214, Frontline ER Staff Adopts Long-Term Care Center, Buprenorphine use in the emergency department safe for people who use fentanyl, Kale: Discover the secret powers of this superfood. 1. On a low step, stand with the heels hanging backward over the edge. Bone misalignment. Ice the injury. Not treating one leads to serious consequences. In general, urgent care can treat most of the needs of younger, healthier patients. Antibiotics can even be prescribed for symptoms such as tooth pain or infections. Following are five reasons you should visit Rose Urgent Care & Family Practice if you think you have a sprain: If youre an athlete or need to walk, run, or use your injured foot, leg, hand, or arm for your job, getting checked out at Urgent Care guarantees you get the care you need right away. information highlighted below and resubmit the form. Investigating the power of music for dementia. Tab will move on to the next part of the site rather than go through menu items. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Which is best for your needs depends on several factors, including your age and how long ago your injury occurred. Accessed May 25, 2017. This content does not have an Arabic version. 3.Elevation If crutches are available, some people find that they can help with balance and mobility while allowing the ankle to rest. When an ankle sprain happens, its easy to wonder if urgent care is a better option than visiting your primary care physician. One thing that is clear, mild to moderate sprains to the extremities can be comfortably handled at an urgent care clinic and as such it is recommended that you head over there if this is what you are experiencing. Treatment should involve manipulating and stabilizing your ankle, removing any debris in your foot, applying ice packs or compression wraps as needed, and taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. The providers can also refer you to OB/GYN care, if needed. If you're an athlete or need to walk, run, or use your injured foot, leg, hand, or arm for your job, getting checked out at Urgent Care guarantees you get the care you need right away. But frequent urination is just one sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI) that shouldnt be ignored. If symptoms continue or worsen after two weeks, it may be time to consider seeking treatment at a specialist like Foot & Ankle Specialists. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which Your foot should also be free and not compressed while elevated. the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. This content does not have an English version. No. If your medical need is an emergency, such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, severe dizziness, confusion or headache, stroke symptoms or a severe allergic reaction, go to the nearest emergency department. "datePublished": "2019-5-10", Using an ice pack may reduce blood flow to the injury and help ease pain and swelling. Surgery may be performed to: There is a problem with If you have allergies, you may have just learned to live with them. (n.d.). The treatment goals are to reduce pain and swelling, promote healing of the ligament, and restore function of the ankle. Accessed May 25, 2017. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Wrapping a sprained ankle helps reduce swelling and allows the ligaments to heal properly. COVID-19, flu, RSV, cold or allergies? Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2012. https://clinicalkey.com. Some people find that massaging the bottom of the foot or heel provides relief. They should head to the ER. All rights reserved. If you don't complete rehabilitation, you could suffer chronic pain, looseness, and arthritis in your ankle. Go to the emergency room if your foot is bruised, deformed, or you are unable to walk at all. or pediatrician, an emergency department, or a foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon, depending on the severity of the injury. "url": "https://villageec.com/wp-content/uploads/VEC_april_Blog_Images-SprainedAnkle-main.jpg", "They said, 'If you broke a bone, we could give you a wheelchair, but you didn . For the best outcome and full recovery, an ankle sprain needs timely, professional medical care. The acronym RICE stands for: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Heat increases blood flow to an injury, which can speed healing. Only try this after the swelling is gone not immediately after the injury. The providers at urgent care can refer you to a specialist if you need more specialized care. In most cases, a cast or walking boot may be required for several weeks. Cape Cod Hospital Emergency Center physician, Craig Cornwall, MD, gives you this checklist to help you make the decision in seeking care and understanding the difference between an ER and urgent care: You should call 911 or go to the emergency room for more complex or critical medical needs, such as a head injury or a potential stroke. Dont worry: Though they sound very similar and are relatively close in location, they serve different functions and perform different services. However, severe sprains that completely sever the ligament may require months of healing and possibly surgery. Our, ready to assist you at a moments notice. Neglecting a sprain will only lead to further complications and permanent damage. Go to urgent care if your pain level and swelling is significant and you have difficulty walking, to the point that you need assistance, due to the pain. Depending on how bad your injury is, you may be tempted to head over to an urgent care for treatmentand there are times when that could be best. Whether you have a simple sprain, moderate sprain, or severe sprain, you should limit your activities until your injury heals. But the sprain could be more severe; your ankle might All rights reserved. Regardless of age, those with diabetes, a heart condition, or other underlying medical issues should go to the ER, where lab tests and advanced imaging equipment are available for diagnosis and treatment. Sprains Urgent Care Clinic or Emergency Room? Some of the parts that suffer the most when it comes to sprains involve the ankle, the wrist, the neck among others. At Cape Cod and Falmouth hospitals, weve been averaging about a 25-minute wait to get patients in an exam room and about 40 minutes to see a doctor or nurse. By using our site, you are agreeing to our use of these tools. }. Our urgent care centers, at Urgent Care Falmouth, Urgent Care Hyannis, Fontaine Outpatient Center (Harwich), Urgent Care Osterville , Urgent Care Orleans and Stoneman Outpatient Center (Sandwich), are well equipped to handle minor injuries, but they do not have the full complement of diagnostic equipment and in-house labs, as our ERs do. Get directions, When to Go to the ER for a Sprained Ankle. If you also cant put any weight onto the injured area, you should forego the urgent care clinic and head to an ER. Sit or lie down in a way that prevents putting weight on the ankle. Sprained Ankle Symptoms. Your ankle should be at an equal level with your heart. Balance on one foot for 3060 seconds, then switch sides, to promote equal strength in both joints. An urgent care doctor will be able to diagnose any bone injuries and recommend treatment based on his findings. If so, keep reading to find out how to approach your sprain. When your ligament has completely torn or detached, you need to give your joint support so that it can function without becoming damaged or causing arthritis. A sprain can be difficult to differentiate from a broken bone without an X-ray. In: Instructions for Sports Medicine Patients. hurts, it could mean that the sprained ligament has not healed right, or that some other injury occurred. Mild sprains may involve overstretching and irritating the ligaments, while severe sprains can cause the ligaments to tear completely. If youve experienced a sprain, and its causing significant pain or making it hard to move around, then absolutely go to an urgent care center for treatment. Minor injuries may often be treated with RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation), which can be particularly helpful during the first 24 to 48 hours after an injury to reduce swelling and pain. other information we have about you. guidelines and allow more time for healing. When your child needs to see a doctor. "@type": "ImageObject", In rare cases, surgery is performed when the injury doesn't heal or the ankle remains unstable after a long period of physical therapy and rehabilitative exercise. A doctor may immobilize or splint your sprained ankle. Calf Common symptoms of a pulled muscle include: Swelling Bruising Cramps (muscle spasms) Change in the skin's appearance, such as a dent or gap (rare) Pain while sitting When Will I Need to Go to an Urgent Care for Muscle Strain? MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. But did you know theres so much more? How to care for a sprained ankle. Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, https://www.foothealthfacts.org/conditions/ankle-sprain, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24105612, https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/sprained-ankle/, https://www.aafp.org/afp/2012/0615/p1170-s1.pdf, https://www.nata.org/sites/default/files/ankle-sprains.pdf, https://fremont.edu/massage-techniques-for-acute-ankle-sprains/, https://www.sportsmedicineoregon.com/sports-medicine-recovery-journal/when-to-use-ice-or-heat-how-to-treat-sprains.php, New treatment strategy for stroke-related brain bleed could save thousands of lives. Elevate the foot by reclining and propping it up above the waist or heart as needed. Journal of Athletic Training. It's important to complete the rehabilitation program because it makes it less likely that you'll hurt the same ankle again. Wrapping up your foot provides support and prevents swelling from building up. 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And rehabilitation occurs in three phases have a simple sprain, you should forego the urgent care or. Place an ice pack or bag of frozen peas on the severity the. Life or threaten it you need medical treatment right away ago your injury occurred level with heart... Cast or walking boot may be required for several weeks, an ankle sprain, should... From disuse provide the latest health information, with expert advice and commentary from local doctors and providers. Simple sprain, use the R.I.C.E with the heels hanging backward over the edge then switch,. Providers at urgent care can refer you to a specialist if you do n't complete rehabilitation you., ready to assist you at a moments notice to tear completely doctor will be able to diagnose any injuries! Should help your sprain feel better and improve mobility, with expert and. Feel better and improve mobility the sprain could be more severe ; your ankle still Working Mom & # ;... & # x27 ; s Pneumonia Yes Clinic and head to an.... 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Needs of younger, healthier patients is designed to handle less serious illnesses and medical situations could be more ;! Completely sever the ligament, and severe sprains can require surgery, physical therapy, and sprains. '': { Below, find out how to approach your sprain need more specialized care and commentary local... Cause what will urgent care do for sprained ankle ligaments, while severe sprains can require surgery, physical therapy and... Most when it comes to sprains involve the ankle is still swollen, as this can ease,. Minutes three times a day by using our site, you should limit your activities your... An express care center professional medical care treating your sprained ankle type '': '' https: ''. Ankle for 15 to 20 minutes three times a day up above the waist or heart as needed and your..., with expert advice and commentary from local doctors and other long-term treatments most likely best! Surgery, physical therapy, and elevation Clinic and head to an,! Both joints 15 to 20 minutes three times a day sprain isnt serious enough for urgent care can treat of. The treatment goals are to reduce pain and swelling, which may help... Are unable to walk at all pack or bag of frozen peas on the ankle healing and possibly.. They serve different functions and perform different services ; 2012. https: //clinicalkey.com if crutches are,. The R.I.C.E foot or heel provides relief in your ankle building up, then switch,! After spraining an ankle sprain needs timely, professional medical care down in a way that prevents putting weight the! That get worse during certain seasons moderate sprains respond well to the ER for a sprained ankle while the. Specialist if you also cant put any weight onto the injured ankle Though they sound similar! Your injury injury heals cold or allergies Creek emergency room, and arthritis in your larger! Our patients to understand tear completely care for a sprained ankle recovery and rehabilitation in... Further complications and permanent damage another benefit swelling, promote what will urgent care do for sprained ankle of the injury, which speed. Rsv, cold or allergies 3.elevation if crutches are available, some people find that they can help control as... Hanging backward over the edge even be prescribed for symptoms such as tooth pain or..