With fall sports among us, there’s a variety of injuries which could arrive as a result of sporting accidents. With wet conditions often arising during the fall, slipping and falling becomes more common. Due to this, fall sports are a major contributor to the increase in sprains and strains that we see in urgent care every fall. Learn about sprains, how to treat them and when they need medical attention. For same-day acute injury treatment, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Paramus.
Sprain vs. Fracture: Causes and Symptoms
When you injure yourself, it can be hard to tell exactly how badly you’re hurt. Most of the time, injuries require a proper medical evaluation for a correct diagnosis. While they may feel similar, a fracture is damage to your bone which requires immediate treatment for proper healing. On the other hand, a sprain is the damage of ligaments which are supportive structures for your joints. Our facility has x-ray imaging available, making us an easy option for efficient diagnosis and treatment of your injury. If you’re concerned that you may have sprained your ankle, here are some ways you can assess whether you’ve sprained your ankle:
- Pain and/or swelling around a joint
- No sharp pain directly on the bone when pressure is applied
- No misshapen structures
- Joint stiffness
It can be difficult to determine whether your injury is severe enough to brave the long waits and expensive costs associated with the emergency room.
Sprained Ankle Diagnosis & Treatment
Sprained ankles can be very painful, however, the treatment options available for this type of injury are usually pain management, elevation of the affected joint and rest. It is suggested that you seek urgent care if you have an injury near a joint because it could be a more serious injury that requires immediate medical attention. With proper treatment, a sprain is likely to heal well on its own in 1-3 weeks. It is important to follow your medical providers' treatment suggestions to ensure your injury heals correctly.
You should seek immediate medical attention if you have numbness around the injured area, pain directly on the bone, or cannot move or bear any weight on the injured joint. These all could signify a break or fracture which require medical intervention such as x-rays and potentially surgery.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Paramus for Sprained Ankle Diagnosis & Treatment
Injuries often happen when you’re least expecting them. Fall sports season is a common time for sprains, so it is important to understand the risks of a sprained ankle and follow the suggested recovery plan provided by your medical provider. When in doubt, it is important to rule out a more serious injury by seeking medical attention for suspected sprains and strains. If you have any additional questions about sprained ankle treatment, you can contact the medical team at AFC Urgent Care Paramus directly at (201) 262-2010.
