Ankle sprains can happen to anyone, regardless of age or health. A sprain occurs when the ankle joint is twisted out of position, usually due to a fall or sudden movement. This causes the ligaments around the ankle to stretch or tear, causing bruising and swelling. While spraining your ankle is fairly common, it is still worth a trip to an urgent care facility to make sure the ankle is not broken or more severely injured. Here are some symptoms to tell if you have sprained your ankle and what to do about it. 

What are the Symptoms of an Ankle Sprain? 

Symptoms of a sprained ankle include swelling, bruising, pain, stiffness, discoloration, and an inability to put weight on your foot without pain. You may hear a popping at the time of the injury, which is the joint coming out of place. There may be extreme tenderness at the site. The urgent care physician will test your range of movement to see if any ligaments have been torn. If the sprain is severe enough, they may order an X-ray to rule out a bone fracture. They may also order an MRI to rule out more severe damage to the ligaments or surfaces of the bone. 

What is the Treatment for an Ankle Sprain? 

The best treatment for an ankle sprain is usually time. It is important to not put weight on the sprain, and the urgent care physician may suggest a stabilizing boot or wrap for your ankle. Home treatments include elevating your foot and icing the ankle immediately after injury to reduce swelling. You should ice the area regularly throughout the day of the injury. After the first day, apply ice three to four times a day to keep swelling down. In very severe cases, ligament reconstruction surgery may be needed. Mild sprains can heal within a matter of days, but severe sprains can take several weeks to heal. 

Robertsdale Urgent Care in Robertsdale, AL, is a locally owned and operated family medical practice specializing in urgent care. From required medical testing to flu shots, their walk-in clinic is here to help handle your everyday medical needs. Work with a medical clinic that treats you like family. For more information, call (251) 947-3591 or visit them online today.