Urgent Care for Ankle Sprain — Same-Day X-Ray & Treatment

An ankle sprain is one of the most common sports and everyday injuries — twisting or rolling the ankle can stretch or tear the ligaments that keep it stable. If you’re wondering about urgent care for an ankle sprain, the good news is that urgent care clinics can evaluate, X-ray, and treat most ankle sprains the same day. CityHealth in San Leandro is open 7 days a week — walk-in welcome, no appointment needed.

Ankle Sprain vs Ankle Fracture: How to Tell the Difference

Ankle sprains and fractures can feel similar — both cause pain, swelling, and difficulty walking. The only reliable way to tell the difference is with an X-ray. However, certain features suggest a fracture is more likely:

• You heard or felt a “pop” or crack at the moment of injury
• You cannot bear any weight on the ankle at all
• You have bone tenderness directly over the bony protrusions of the ankle (the medial or lateral malleolus)
• Visible deformity — the ankle looks out of alignment or misshapen
• The swelling and bruising are severe and immediate

If any of these apply, an X-ray is needed. CityHealth San Leandro has on-site X-ray imaging so you can be evaluated and ruled out for fracture in one visit.

Grades of Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprains are graded by severity:

• Grade 1 (Mild): Mild stretching of ligament fibers, minimal swelling, able to walk with some pain. Heals in 1–2 weeks.
• Grade 2 (Moderate): Partial ligament tear, moderate swelling and bruising, difficulty bearing full weight. Heals in 3–6 weeks.
• Grade 3 (Severe): Complete ligament rupture, significant swelling and bruising, unable to bear weight, joint instability. May take 6–12 weeks to heal; may require orthopedic consultation.

Urgent care treats Grade 1 and 2 sprains. Grade 3 sprains with significant instability may need orthopedic specialist follow-up, which urgent care can arrange.

What to Expect at Urgent Care for an Ankle Sprain

1. Medical history — how and when the injury occurred, mechanism (roll, twist, direct impact), ability to bear weight
2. Physical examination — palpation of the ankle bones and ligaments, range of motion testing, Ottawa Ankle Rules assessment (to determine if X-ray is needed)
3. X-ray imaging — if fracture is clinically suspected. CityHealth has on-site X-ray, so you get results during your visit.
4. Diagnosis — sprain grade or fracture type identified
5. Treatment — compression wrap, air cast or ankle brace, crutches if needed, anti-inflammatory medication
6. Home care instructions — RICE protocol, weight-bearing guidance, return precautions
7. Referral if needed — severe sprains or fractures requiring casting or surgery are referred to orthopedic specialists

Treating an Ankle Sprain at Home: RICE Method

For mild to moderate ankle sprains, the RICE protocol is the first-line home treatment:

• R — Rest: Reduce or eliminate activities that stress the ankle. Use crutches if needed to avoid putting weight on the ankle during the acute phase.
• I — Ice: Apply ice wrapped in a cloth or towel for 20 minutes every 1–2 hours during the first 48–72 hours. Never apply ice directly to skin.
• C — Compression: Wrap the ankle with an elastic (ACE) bandage from the toes up the calf. Snug but not so tight it causes numbness or cuts off circulation.
• E — Elevation: Keep the ankle raised above heart level when resting — prop it up on pillows — to reduce swelling.

Take ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) as directed for pain and swelling. These NSAIDs work better for musculoskeletal injuries than acetaminophen (Tylenol) because they reduce inflammation as well as pain.

How Long Does an Ankle Sprain Take to Heal?

• Grade 1: 1–3 weeks with proper care
• Grade 2: 3–6 weeks; may benefit from physical therapy
• Grade 3: 6–12 weeks or longer; orthopedic evaluation recommended

Starting gentle range-of-motion exercises (ankle circles, alphabet tracing) within the first few days — once acute pain subsides — speeds recovery. Physical therapy may be recommended for moderate to severe sprains to prevent chronic ankle instability.

When to Go to the ER for an Ankle Injury

Go to the emergency room if your ankle injury involves:

• Visible deformity or bones that appear out of alignment
• Complete inability to bear any weight combined with severe swelling
• Numbness or loss of sensation in the foot
• Skin that is broken over the bone (open fracture)
• Signs of vascular injury — the foot is pale, cold, or blue

Frequently Asked Questions: Urgent Care for Ankle Sprain

Can urgent care X-ray an ankle?

Yes. CityHealth San Leandro has on-site X-ray equipment for same-day ankle injury evaluation. No need to go to a separate imaging center.

Should I go to urgent care or ER for an ankle sprain?

Most ankle sprains are safely handled at urgent care. Go to the ER if your ankle is visibly deformed, you cannot bear any weight at all, or you have signs of nerve or vascular damage (numbness, coldness, color changes in the foot).

Can urgent care put on a cast for a broken ankle?

Urgent care can apply a temporary splint or walking boot. A full plaster or fiberglass cast is typically placed by an orthopedic specialist after swelling subsides. Urgent care will coordinate a specialist referral when needed.

How do I know if my ankle is sprained or broken?

You cannot reliably tell from symptoms alone — both cause pain, swelling, and difficulty walking. The Ottawa Ankle Rules (a clinical assessment) can help providers determine if X-ray is needed. When in doubt, get an X-ray at urgent care for a definitive answer.

For same-day ankle sprain evaluation and treatment, visit CityHealth San Leandro — walk-ins welcome, on-site X-ray available.