So, I fell and twisted my ankle really badly yesterday at the foot of the stairs. It hurt a lot yesterday but with some ibuprofen and ice it was managable and I was able to walk on it slowly and without a ton of pain.
I kept it elevated most of the night and this morning it hurt 80 gajillion times more. I've got ice on it again and took some more drugs and it's loosening up and feeling a little better again.
I'm 98% sure I just sprained it. There's no numbness and I can stand on it (uncomfortably). I don't have a PCP at our new house yet. Am I dumb to not go to urgent care/ER? I really hate going and I feel like they're just going to tell me to take some ibuprofen and ice it more, but this sucks.
Re: DR. RE
Could you try calling a few Dr.'s offices and seeing if they would accept a walk-in or same day appointment? If that fails, I would probably do the ice/ibuprofen for most of the day and then go to the ER, later when it might be less busy.
But, I don't think you're silly for not wanting to go straight to the ER. You might be able to call the hospital and see if you can get an estimated wait time at the ER, and see if that helps you decide.
Mucho likes purple nails and purple cupcakes
If you can walk on it without much pain and it is feeling slightly better today, I don't really think you need to see a doctor, but that is up to you. It definitely does not warrant a visit to the ER. Just keep following the RICE protocol. Keep the swelling down, and while you may get bruising, it is totally normal and expected. I'd say that if you have increased pain or no improvement in pain in a week, I'd then get it checked out, but whether you get it checked out today or in a week, it is non-emergent and you could probably find a walk in to go to instead of a doctor's office.
ETA: If you have swelling, sometimes an x-ray won't be accurate this soon into the injury. Sometimes they can't see a fracture due to swelling and will tell you that it is fine, and you have to go back due to continued pain and they find a fracture. Also a reason I suggested to wait, but obviously do what you are most comfortable with.
I think I'm going to go this route. Good call. That way I'll have someone in the future, too.
That leg's gonna have to come off, Steve.
"That chick wins at Penises, for sure." -- Fenton