Do I Need a Podiatrist for a Badly Sprained Ankle?
Should I go to the podiatrist for a badly sprained ankle? Most people do not view a sprained ankle as an injury in need of professional medical attention. Oftentimes this is true; you can treat it at home, but at what point does a sprained ankle need attention? How badly does it need to be sprained? In this article, you will learn the answer to the question, “Should I go to the podiatrist for a badly sprained ankle?” You will also learn how to best care for a sprained ankle.
Sprained Ankle Recovery
Most people have felt the pain of a sprained ankle. It is a very common injury. Perhaps you tripped while running or missed a step going down the stairs. Whatever way it happened, you know it hurts. If you have sprained your ankle, do you know what to do? Do you know how to handle your sprained ankle recovery, when it is bad enough to warrant a visit to the podiatrist? Should I go to the podiatrist for a badly sprained ankle? If you see these signs it is time to see a podiatrist for your sprained ankle pain and have them help with your sprained ankle recovery.
No Improvement
Sprained ankles should heal by themselves in around 2 to 12 weeks. If your ankle does not progressively feel better at this time, you must visit a podiatrist. If you see no improvement and seek no help, you may find your sprained ankle recovery impeded.
Deformation
After you experience a sprained ankle, take a look at your foot and ankle. You are likely to notice minor swelling and bruising, but anything beyond that might be cause for concern. If your ankle twists in an unnatural direction or you notice bone sticking out, you have experienced a broken bone and need to seek immediate medical attention.
Extreme Swelling and Bruising
Although swelling and bruising are common with most injuries, if you notice your foot and ankle severely swelling and turning dark shades of black and blue, it is time to visit your podiatrist.
Not Weight-Bearing
Can you put any weight on the affected foot and ankle? Can you walk? If not, the answer to the question, “ Should I go to the podiatrist for a badly sprained ankle?” is yes. If this is the case, you must keep as much weight off of the afflicted ankle as possible. Have someone else help you move to a place you can sit, or better yet, to a vehicle taking you to see a podiatrist.
Although a minor sprain may cause some discomfort when walking, it should not be debilitating. If your ankle is buckling under your weight or you are in a lot of pain, you can have experienced something more severe than a sprained ankle like a torn ligament, fractured bone, or dislocation. If not properly treated, your ankle will not heal properly. As such, the answer to the question, “Should I go to the podiatrist for a badly sprained ankle?” is a resounding yes.
You Suspect You Need to See a Podiatrist
Oftentimes your gut instinct is correct. If you feel like your injury is severe enough to warrant professional medical attention, be sure to seek out that medical attention. It is better to see a podiatrist and find out that all you need to do is follow at-home sprained ankle care than to find out it is something more severe and struggle with pain for the rest of your life from an untreated injury. This is the biggest reason why the answer to the question, “Should I see a podiatrist for a badly sprained ankle?” is yes. Some things can not heal on their own. A broken bone will not set itself and a torn ligament will not reattach itself. If you suspect you need medical attention, you are probably right.
How to Care for a Sprained Ankle
If you decide your sprained ankle pain is not bad enough to warrant a podiatrist visit, you should make sure to care for it at home. If you ask yourself, “Should I go to the podiatrist for a badly sprained ankle?” You should be sure to go to the podiatrist. Otherwise, learn how to care for a sprained ankle below.
R.I.C.E
R.I.C.E is an acronym that stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. These processes can be used to aid in sprained ankle recovery for the first two or three days post-injury.
Rest
Avoid all activities that cause you pain or discomfort. If you push through the pain, you will only make it worse in the long run.
Ice
Apply an ice pack to the afflicted area for about 15 to 20 minutes. Repeat this every 2 to 3 hours. Leaving the ice on for too long can cause damage to the skin. If you begin to feel numbness in the area you are icing, it is time to remove the ice.
Compression
Compression helps with swelling. Use an elastic bandage around the ankle. Begin wrapping at the point on your ankle furthest from your heart. Wrap it snugly, but be careful not to wrap it so tight that you cut off circulation.
Elevation
Elevate your ankle above your heart to reduce swelling. Elevating your ankle helps drain excess fluid from your ankle using the power of gravity. A great way to elevate your ankle is to lie on your back, on a couch, or in bed, and prop your foot up with pillows.
Medication
Over-the-counter pain relievers can reduce sprained ankle pain. Although they will not treat the ankle, it will make the pain manageable. You must continue to rest your ankle. The medication may make it feel better, but will not protect against damage. In fact, it is more important. You could injure yourself further and not know it until it was too late.
Sprained Ankle Pain
Sprained ankle pain might be common, but that does not mean it should be ignored. So, should I go to the podiatrist for a badly sprained ankle? If you have to ask if you should see a podiatrist for your injury, it is probably bad enough to warrant a look. Whether it is truly a bad sprain or something like a fracture, a podiatrist can help
Visit the Foot and Ankle Specialists of Illinois for sprained ankle recovery. We will evaluate your condition and treat your sprained ankle pain, so you can get back on your feet and back to your life as soon as possible.
