Injuries can strike out of nowhere. When they do, it’s important to know the signs that suggest your injury requires medical care, or whether you can treat it at home. Bruising and swelling are both symptoms which sometimes can be managed at home. While some injuries require specialized care in the ER, most non-life-threatening injuries can easily be evaluated and treated at an urgent care clinic. Keep reading to learn more about signs your injury could need medical care, and injuries that can be treated at an urgent care clinic.
If you have an injury and are experiencing symptoms like bruising and swelling, it’s better to be safe rather than sorry. A medical evaluation will ensure you rule out serious injuries, and can get the treatment you need to recover quickly. At AFC Urgent Care Centennial, our walk-in clinic is equipped to provide rapid same-day injury treatment. We provide X-ray imaging for injury diagnosis on a walk-in basis. Simply walk in for rapid same-day care, or save your spot in advance below.
Should You Seek Medical Care for Injury-Induced Bruising or Swelling?
Bruising and swelling are common symptoms of an injury. They often occur together, and can appear as the result of both mild and severe injuries. Bruising and swelling indicate an internal injury. However, understanding the extent and severity of the internal injury requires an evaluation from a medical professional. If the bruising is mild, or you’re only experiencing mild swelling, you may have a minor injury that can be managed at home. However, if you’re experiencing severe pain, severe bruising, or are unable to bear weight on the affected area, you definitely should seek medical care for treatment.
At-Home Treatment Options for Minor Injuries
If your injury is mild and only causes minor bruising and swelling, you may be able to manage it at home. Mild bruising and swelling can indicate injuries like sprains, strains, and pulled muscles. In many cases, these injuries will heal with time and proper at-home care. In most cases, medical professionals recommend the RICE method for minor injuries:
R (rest): avoid straining or putting pressure on the affected area
I (ice): ice the affected area intermittently throughout the day to reduce swelling and pain
C (compress): lightly compress the affected limb to support it and prevent swelling
E (elevate): elevate the affected area above the heart to push blood away from the injury
Signs Your Symptoms Suggest a Serious Injury
If you notice swelling and bruising after injuring yourself, it can be difficult to know how serious the injury is without seeking medical care. Some injuries that present symptoms like bruising and swelling can be managed at home, however, bruising and swelling can also indicate a serious condition like a broken bone. If your pain is severe and not able to be managed at home, always seek immediate medical care. Additionally, if your limb is visibly deformed, or you’re unable to put any weight on it, you should seek medical care for medical diagnosis.
Visit AFC Centennial for Same-Day Injury Diagnosis & Treatment
When injuries strike, having access to fast and affordable healthcare makes all the difference. Seeking medical care immediately will ensure you avoid further damage to your injury, and effectively treat it so that you can recover quickly. Bruising and swelling can sometimes be managed at home, but also can indicate a more severe injury like a broken bone, so seeking medical care is imperative to accurately diagnosing the cause of your symptoms.
If you’re in need of fast and convenient medical care for an injury, walk into AFC Urgent Care Centennial! We offer same-day X-ray imaging services for rapid injury diagnosis and treatment. Our clinic works with most medical insurance providers, and we have affordable rates for self-paying patients. Walk in today, or give us a call at (303) 220-9168 to learn more.
