Should I go to the ER for an ankle sprain?

If there is obvious boney deformity, severe immediate swelling, inability to walk, and severe boney tenderness, seek immediate medical attention. The majority of ankle sprains respond well to conservative care.

Do you go to hospital for sprained ankle?

You would probably need to go to hospital for your sprained ankle if you've got pain along the six centimetres at the bottom of the tibia, at the back edge of it, when you touch it.

How do hospitals treat sprained ankles?

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.

How do I know if my ankle 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.

Should I go to the doctor for a badly sprained ankle?

Now, the safest answer to the question “When to see a doctor about a sprained ankle?”, is – every time you think you might have sprained it. Ideally, you would have the ankle examined by a specialized sprained ankle doctor, such as those from The Orthopedic Institute of New Jersey, right away.

Ankle Injury or sprain - When do I go to the emergency Room? Doc Simple - Episode 4 (2019)

When should I get a sprained ankle checked?

You probably won't need to see your doctor about a sprain. But give them a call if: Your pain is severe or doesn't get better with over-the-counter medications, elevation, and ice. You can't walk, or you have severe pain when you do.

At what point do you see a doctor for a sprained ankle?

Sudden pain, swelling, trouble walking, and other symptoms can signal a need for medical attention. Waiting too long can lead to repeat injuries, more complex treatments, worse long-term results, and even arthritis.

What does a Level 3 ankle sprain look like?

Grade 3: This is a complete tear of the affected ligament(s) with severe swelling and bruising. The ankle is unstable and walking is likely not possible because the ankle gives out and there is intense pain.

Can a sprained ankle go 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 does a Grade 1 sprain look like?

A grade 1 sprain is when the ligament fibers are stretched slightly and may experience a small tear, but most ligament fibers remain intact. There is generally mild swelling and bruising associated with this.

Is it OK to walk on a sprained ankle?

While it is possible to walk on a sprained ankle, it isn't recommended. Walking on a sprained ankle can delay the healing process and increase your risk for complications. Ankle pain, instability, and arthritis are common complications of a sprained ankle.

How long should you stay home with a sprained ankle?

Grade 1 sprained ankle recovery time is anywhere from 2 weeks to a month, normally closer to the two-week mark with proper treatment. A grade 1 sprained ankle can be treated almost entirely at home. The pain is fairly minor, if difficult to deal with. However, “home treatment” doesn't mean “no treatment”.

Can you wiggle your toes with a sprained ankle?

As you can see, the symptoms for a sprained ankle are like those of a broken ankle, but don't include the inability to move the toes or deformities.

When should you get an xray for a sprained ankle?

Ankle x-rays are required only if there is pain in the malleolar zone (refer to Figure 1) as well as any one of: Bone tenderness at A; or. Bone tenderness at B; or. Inability to bear weight both immediately and in the clinical setting (unable to take four steps independently, even if limping).

Should you wrap a sprained ankle overnight?

Compression -- Wrapping a stretchable elastic bandage around your foot and ankle can help minimize swelling after injury. If you're going to wrap your ankle, it is best to put the bandage on first thing in the morning, and then take it off at bedtime.

How do I know if I tore a ligament in my ankle?

If you have torn your ankle ligament, symptoms include: Swelling around your ankle joint. A feeling of instability. Bruising – sometimes up your lower leg and into your foot.

Can a sprained ankle turn into a fracture?

Sprains can be mild to severe. There are three bones in the ankle joint—the tibia, fibula and talus—an injury can cause one or more of these bones break, or fracture.

What does a Grade 2 sprain ankle look like?

A Grade 2 sprain results in partial tearing of the ligament or ligaments. This commonly leads to moderate swelling and bruising above and below the ankle joint.

How can you tell what level a sprain is?

What does a torn ligament in ankle feel like?

What Are the Symptoms of a Torn Ligament in an Ankle? You can feel sudden pain, and a tearing, snapping or popping sensation – which might be so bad you can't put weight on your foot – and swelling around your ankle joint. In some cases, there may bruising that extends down your foot and up your calf.

How do you tell if an ankle is sprained or fractured?

With a sprain, you feel pain. But if you have numbness or tingling, your ankle is most likely broken. Where is the pain? If your ankle hurts or is tender to the touch directly over your ankle bone, you probably have a fracture.

How do doctors tell if you have a sprained ankle?

Your foot doctor will diagnose your ankle sprain by doing a physical assessment and ordering a medical imaging exam. Your doctor will check for signs of swelling and bruising and palpate the area. They will then move your foot to check its range of motion and which specific positions can cause pain.

What can be mistaken for a sprained ankle?

Discussion: A surprisingly long list of conditions can mimic a lateral ankle sprain, including syndesmosis sprains, subtalar sprains with or without instability, impingement lesions, chronic ankle instability, osteochondral lesions of the talus, peroneal tendon injury, tarsal coalition and fractures of the hindfoot.

Is my ankle broken if I can't move my toes?

Some people think that, if your ankle is broken, you will not be able to wiggle your toes. While this can sometimes be true, oftentimes, you may have a fractured ankle but can still wiggle your toes.

How do you sleep with a sprained ankle?

Keep your leg up so that your ankle is higher than your heart. This allows the fluids from the damaged tissues that are causing the swelling to drain back into your circulation. Place a pillow under your foot when you sleep at night and prop up your foot when you are sitting or applying ice packs during the day.