Sprains of the Ankle, Knee and Wrist: Living With
When should I see a healthcare provider for a sprain?
You should see your healthcare provider if:
- You have a concern about your injury. Sometimes what seems like a mild sprain can take longer than you think to heal. Seeing your doctor can be helpful to answer questions, get a brace, an order for physical therapy or for reassurance.
- You have severe pain and cannot put weight on the injured joint.
- The injured area looks crooked, has lumps and bumps (other than swelling) that you do not see on the uninjured joint. You may notice asymmetry between the affected/injured joint and the normal joint.
- You cannot move the injured joint.
- There is numbness in any part of the injured area.
- You see redness or red streaks spread out from the injury. This is especially a concern if the skin is broken or there could be a possible infection.
- You injure an area that has been injured before.
- You have pain, swelling or redness over a bony part of your foot.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
As we move around each day and do our normal activities, there’s always a risk of tripping, falling and getting injured. If you experience a sprain, reach to your healthcare provider. It’s usually a good idea to make sure it’s only a sprain and not a more severe injury. You can also get a treatment plan that will get you up and moving again.