Minor injuries like sprained or twisted ankles can be frustrating. While these injuries are very common, they can be incredibly painful. In most cases, sprained ankles can heal on their own with time and rest. However, the healing timeframe for a sprained ankle can be many weeks. Keep reading to learn more about treating a sprained ankle, and when to seek medical care for ankle pain.
At AFC Urgent Care North Bergen, our walk-in clinic is available every day to provide rapid injury care for minor injuries like sprained ankles. Our clinic is equipped with an X-ray imaging suite for accurate injury diagnosis. Walk in today for same-day care, or schedule your visit online using the button below.
Diagnosing a Sprained Ankle
Sprained ankles are incredibly common injuries. They can happen in a split second just by stepping wrong, overextending your joint, working out or playing sports. Sprained ankles are caused by overextending and mildly damaging the tendons and ligaments that support the ankle joint. They typically cause symptoms like the inability to bear weight on the affected foot, swelling, bruising and pain in the affected area. To diagnose a sprained ankle, your medical provider will go over how your injury happened and may perform X-ray imaging to rule out a fracture or broken bone.
How to Manage Discomfort Caused by a Sprained Ankle
Sprained ankles are relatively minor injuries, however, they are notoriously painful. Symptoms can last for weeks, so managing discomfort is key to a proper recovery. Icing your ankle for 10-15 minutes at a time can help reduce swelling and overall discomfort. OTC pain medications can also help relieve discomfort during the healing process. Be sure not to push your ankle too much during the recovery, because this could result in pain and further damage to your ankle.
How Long Does it Take for a Sprained Ankle to Heal
Sprained ankles normally heal on their own with rest. However, you need to avoid using the affected ankle to allow it to heal. Depending on the severity of the sprain, it can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months for a sprained ankle to fully heal.
If you have a sprained ankle, you need to follow the RICE method to promote healing which includes rest, icing the ankle, compressing the ankle and elevating your foot as much as possible during recovery. This will support proper healing and reduce discomfort.
Visit AFC Urgent Care North Bergen for Same-Day Sprained Ankle Care
Sprained ankles are relatively minor injuries, however, they can take a while to heal and be very painful. When you visit urgent care for an ankle injury, your medical provider will likely X-ray your ankle to rule out a more severe injury like a fracture or a broken bone. Resting your ankle as much as possible will help promote a proper recovery, and braces or splints may also be necessary to provide additional support.
At AFC Urgent Care North Bergen we offer same-day care for minor injuries like sprained ankles. Our clinic is open 7 days a week, including weekends, and we accept walk-ins daily. Our board-certified medical providers are available 7 days a week to diagnose and provide treatment for sprained ankles. We work with most medical insurance providers and have competitive rates for self-paying patients. To learn more, walk in or give our team a call at (201) 588-1300.
