Every day in the United States, more than 25,000 people sprain their ankle. More than 1 million people visit emergency rooms each year because of ankle injuries. If you trip or fall unexpectedly and notice pain, swelling or numbness in the affected limb, it’s important to seek medical attention.
Urgent care centers like Thibodaux Regional Urgent Care – Houma are fully equipped and ready to handle nonlife-threatening injuries and illnesses like sprains, strains and fractures.
Six common injuries that need medical attention
Here are six common injuries that you may not know need medical attention:
- Sprains
A sprain is a stretching or tearing of ligaments, the fibrous tissue that connects bones and joints. Visit an urgent care center if you experience extreme bruising or swelling and an inability to put weight on the affected limb without significant pain and do not notice any improvement for 48-72 hours. - Strains
A strain or pulled muscle is a stretching or tearing of a muscle or tissue that is connected to bone. If you hear a popping sound with the injury, are unable to walk or have significant swelling, pain, fever or open wounds, it’s important to seek urgent medical care. - Tears
Tears occur when fibrous tissue of a ligament, tendon or muscle is ripped. A tear is a more serious injury, if you’re not starting to feel better within 24-72 hours or your pain gets worse, it’s time to go to urgent care. - Fractures
A fracture is a complete or partial break in a bone. If you believe you have a fracture or small, hairline fracture, it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible. - Burns
Burns can damage the skin or deeper tissues and can be caused by the sun, hot liquids, fire, electricity or chemicals. Seek urgent medical care if you experience signs of infection, oozing from the wound, increased pain, redness or swelling. - Cuts
Cuts and scrapes happen every day, but be sure to seek medical attention if there is a lot of bleeding that is hard to stop, the wound is extremely painful or if you have numbness in or around the site of the wound. Numbness could indicate nerve damage and needs to be medically evaluated.
If you’ve suffered a trip or fall and are unable to walk or move the affected limb, notice swelling or experience numbness, visit Thibodaux Regional Urgent Care – Houma. We are open from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily. Our board-certified physicians have extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of sprains, strains, fractures and other similar injuries. We’re ready to help you get back on your feet.