Ankle injuries are extremely common. They happen often for athletes, but they can also happen unexpectedly simply by stepping wrong while walking. While you may assume your ankle injury is minor and will go away on its own within a few days, sprained ankles can actually cause severe symptoms and require months of recovery. If you injure your ankle, it is important to monitor for signs of a sprain or broken bone which can include bruising, swelling and the inability to bear weight on the affected foot.
If you have an ankle injury and are in need of prompt diagnosis and treatment, AFC Urgent Care Edgewater is here to help. Our urgent care clinic offers convenient same-day care with no appointment necessary. Simply visit the clinic when it’s convenient for you to receive same-day treatment.
How to Identify If Your Ankle is Sprained
Sprained ankles can be tricky to diagnose. If you think you sprained your ankle, you should always seek medical care for X-ray imaging to rule out a broken bone or severe damage. Sprained ankles can be confused with other ankle injuries which may require more hands on care.
Sprained ankles happen when you over extend the ligaments that support your ankle joint. They often are very painful and can cause symptoms like severe swelling, pain, and bruising around the foot and ankle. If your ankle is sprained, you likely will have difficulty bearing weight on the affected foot.
Treatment Options for a Sprained Ankle
Sprained ankles can be very painful and lead to intense bruising during the healing process. Treatment for a sprained ankle typically includes at home pain mitigation and following the RICE method, which is outlined below:
Rest: avoid putting weight on the affected limb
Ice: Ice the area on and off throughout the day to reduce swelling and manage pain
Compress: Using a gentle compress with prevent blood from pulling and causing swelling around the joint
Elevate: Elevate the affected foot to push blood away from it and reduce discomfort
When to Seek Medical Care for Ankle Pain
If you’re experiencing any symptoms of a sprained ankle, you should always seek medical care. Sprained ankles are minor injuries that can heal on their own, however, many other ankle injuries such as torn tendons and fractures can present with similar symptoms and require further treatment by a medical professional. Speaking with a medical professional about your injury will ensure that you’re able to effectively treat it. It will also ensure you recover as quickly and effectively as possible.
Visit AFC Edgewater for Minor Injury Diagnosis & Treatment
If you’re experiencing a minor injury like a sprained ankle, seeking rapid medical care is essential. When you need fast, convenient and affordable care, you can count on AFC Urgent Care Edgewater. Our walk-in clinic is open 7 days a week, including on weekends, to provide rapid care for minor injuries. We’re conveniently located in Edgewater, MD and never require patients to schedule an appointment in advance.
Our clinic works with most medical insurance providers, and we offer affordable rates for self-paying patients without insurance. Simply walk into the clinic for fast and affordable same-day care! To learn more, give us a call at (410) 956-3394.
