Can urgent care diagnose a sprain?

With the most severe (or potentially severe) types of injuries, emergency treatment is recommended. But less substantial breaks — and certainly sprains and strains — can be assessed and treated at urgent care facilities.

Should I go to urgent care or the ER for a sprained wrist?

The truth is, unless there is severe pain, deformity, crushed tissue or open wounds, there is no need to rush to an emergency department or urgent care for treatment. If you have a hand injury an orthopedic surgeon is best qualified to diagnose injuries and provide both non-surgical and surgical treatment.

Can urgent care treat strains?

They are best for handling health conditions or injuries that require prompt medical attention but are not life-threatening. If you sustain a mild sprain, strain, or fracture, you can get help from a walk-in urgent care center. These walk-in facilities are equipped with medical and diagnostic equipment.

Who can diagnose a sprain?

Diagnosing a sprain or strain

To diagnose a sprain, usually a doctor will perform a physical exam to check for swelling and tenderness in the injured body part. The doctor may move joints and limbs into different positions to determine which ligament, tendon, or muscle has been injured.

Can urgent care diagnose a torn ligament?

When it comes to urgent care vs. ER for an orthopaedic injury like a broken bone, torn ligament or concussion, the most practical choice is to seek treatment at an urgent care facility.

Sprained Ankle: Urgent Care or Emergency Room?

When should you get a sprain checked out?

the injury is not feeling any better after treating it yourself. the pain or swelling is getting worse. you also have a very high temperature or feel hot and shivery – this could be an infection.

How do I know if my ligament is sprained or torn?

There are several signs and symptoms of a torn ligament, including: Snapping, popping or a crackling sound when the injury occurs. Pain that doesn't improve within 24 to 72 hours. Swelling that doesn't lessen within 24 to 72 hours.

Should I go to the doctor for a mild sprain?

Even simple sprains tend to bruise, swell, and feel painful. But if you can't put weight on your foot or knee, or if moving your shoulder or elbow hurts enough to impede your activities, you should seek medical care.

What can be mistaken for a sprain?

A broken ankle can often be mistaken for a sprain, even with an X-ray, due to the complex structure of tissue, muscle, and ligaments concealing the bone. If not properly treated, an ankle break can lead to further pain, damage to the ankle joint, and impede mobility.

How do doctors check for sprain?

During the physical exam, your doctor will check for swelling and points of tenderness in your affected limb. The location and intensity of your pain can help determine the extent and nature of the damage. X-rays can help rule out a fracture or other bone injury as the source of the problem.

Should I go to urgent care for an ankle sprain?

If you've experienced a sprain, and it's causing significant pain or making it hard to move around, then absolutely go to an urgent care center for treatment. Ankle sprains tend to be more severe than other sprains because of their location; they are also far more common due to all of our active lifestyles.

Can a doctor do anything for a sprain?

Depending on the severity of the sprain, your doctor may recommend an elastic bandage, sports tape or an ankle support brace to stabilize the ankle. In the case of a severe sprain, a cast or walking boot may be necessary to immobilize the ankle while it heals.

Is a sprain a medical emergency?

Get emergency medical assistance if:

You're unable to bear weight on the injured leg, the joint feels unstable or numb, or you can't use the joint. This may mean the ligament was completely torn. On the way to the doctor, apply a cold pack. You develop redness or red streaks that spread out from the injured area.

How do hospitals treat sprains?

The doctor may need to immobilize the limb or joint with a splint, cast, or other device until healing is complete. Physical therapy can often be helpful to bring an injured joint back to normal. In severe cases, surgery may be needed.

Can a doctor tell if your wrist is sprained?

By: Duretti Fufa, MD. Wrist sprains are commonly diagnosed by primary care physicians, hand or orthopedic surgeons, and sports medicine physicians. When a wrist sprain suspected, a doctor will take a medical history and conduct a physical examination that includes tests to evaluate the wrist's stability.

Can you still walk on a sprained foot?

Walk or put weight on your sprained foot as long as it does not hurt. If your doctor gave you a splint or immobilizer, wear it as directed. If you were given crutches, use them as directed. For the first 2 days after your injury, avoid hot showers, hot tubs, or hot packs.

Does a sprain hurt to touch?

With most sprains, you feel pain right away at the site of the tear. Often the ankle starts to swell immediately and may bruise. The ankle area is usually tender to touch, and it hurts to move it. In more severe sprains, you may hear and/or feel something tear, along with a pop or snap.

What happens if a sprain is left untreated?

If they're left untreated, sprains will often cause the ankle to become unstable, which can lead to chronic pain, swelling, instability and, ultimately, arthritis. Don't delay treatment. Sprains should be immobilized quickly, with the ankle ligaments in a stable position.

What are the 3 signs and symptoms of a sprain?

Swelling. Bruising. Limited ability to move the affected joint. Hearing or feeling a "pop" in your joint at the time of injury.

How long can a sprain go untreated?

"An ankle sprain that lingers beyond 3 months is often an injury to a bone, tendon or ligament that is unlikely to heal without intervention," he says. "And the longer an ankle injury persists without proper treatment, the greater the likelihood that permanent disability will result."

How do you know if a sprain is serious?

When should I see my healthcare provider? You should visit your healthcare provider for severe sprain evaluation if you can't walk after an injury and your swelling and pain haven't improved or have gotten worse 24-48 hours after the sprain occurred.

Can a mild sprain heal in 3 days?

After 2 to 3 days

protocol, a mild sprain will be mostly healed and ready for you to resume normal activity. A moderate or severe sprain may require you to keep up these treatment steps for longer—up to several weeks.

Do you need a cast for a sprained ligament?

A sprain can be treated with a sling, elastic bandage, splint, or cast. A splint or cast can help prevent more damage and reduce pain by keeping the ligament from moving. A splint is often used as the first treatment. You may get a splint, and then see a specialist for a cast if you have a severe sprain.

Can you still walk on a torn ligament?

Yes, you can usually walk with a torn ligament thanks to the other ligaments and supporting structures, but you may feel a lot of pain and a sensation of weakness and instability as you walk.

Does it hurt to walk on a torn ligament?

“A torn ligament is considered a severe sprain that will cause pain, inflammation, bruising and result in ankle instability, often making it difficult and painful to walk.