11/17/2025
When to see a doctor for a follow-up after ankle sprain?
Symptoms persist: Your pain, swelling, or stiffness doesn’t improve after a few days of rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE).
Lack of improvement: There is little to no improvement after about a week.
Lingering pain: You still experience persistent pain after several weeks of rest.
Numbness or tingling: You feel numbness, tingling, or a cold sensation in the injured foot, which could indicate nerve damage.
Recurrent injuries: You have a history of injuries to the same ankle, which may lead to instability.
What a doctor can do
Provide an accurate diagnosis: Determine if it is a sprain or a fracture using a physical exam and potentially an X-ray.
Create a treatment plan: Recommend a treatment plan based on the severity of the sprain, which may include physical therapy, a brace, a boot, or even surgery for severe cases.
Ensure proper healing: Supervise your recovery to make sure the ankle heals correctly and prevent future injuries.
