Why You Should See A Doctor If You Have A Sprained Ankle
Posted on: 28 May 2018
If you have recently sprained your ankle, such as if you injured yourself while exercising, then you could be hoping that the pain will go away soon on its own. However, it's actually a good idea to seek medical attention, such as by heading to a local urgent care facility, when you think you have a sprained ankle. Here's why.
Make Sure It's Actually a Sprain
For one thing, even though your ankle injury might seem minor, there is a chance that it is actually more serious than you think it is. The best way to find out about this is by seeking treatment from a medical professional. Then, you can make sure that you are, in fact, dealing with an ankle sprain and not a broken ankle. Otherwise, you could injure yourself further, and you might not begin healing until you seek medical treatment.
Get a Doctor's Note
If you are a student or someone who performs on a sports team, then you might need to have a doctor's note to help relieve you from some of your duties, such as participating in physical education class if you're in school or playing in games for your sports team. If you go to an urgent care facility, your doctor might find that it's necessary to write you a note advising you to avoid certain activities, depending on the severity of your ankle injury and the types of activities that you are normally expected to participate in.
Get Help with Treatment
Of course, many people ice their own sprained ankles or rest them on a heating pad. Even though there are some at-home treatments that you can try, you might find that it's worth it to seek help from a medical professional. He or she can advise you about the best treatment options, as well as wrap your ankle for you. This can help you prevent the injury from getting worse and can help you ensure that you are on the right track for healing.
Get Pain Medication
If you are experiencing a lot of pain because of your sprained ankle, you could be hoping to take some medication. If over-the-counter medication does not seem to be doing the trick, then it might be a good idea to see a doctor, who might decide to prescribe you a prescription pain medication to help you manage your pain until you heal from your injury.
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