Q: I slipped on the ice earlier today and hurt my ankle. What should I do?

A: You can call us to set up a time to be seen at the health center so we can evaluate your ankle to determine if you sprained it or sustained a more serious injury such as a fracture which can be determined by an x ray.

Q: But I don’t really have the money for an x-ray.

A: Depending on how and where you sustained the injury is often dependent on whether or not an x ray is advisable. We typically order x-rays if there is bone tenderness toward the back of the ankle bone and inability to bear weight on the foot immediately after the fall.

Q: Well I don’t have pain near either of the ankle bones but more on the outside part of my foot. There is some swelling and a small black and blue area on the side of my foot too. I can walk on it with just a little bit of pain.

A: It sounds like you may have a sprain. Early treatment for the first 48 hours includes PRICE therapy (Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. If the pain and swelling are resolving you can begin gentle exercises such as the Toe Alphabet in which the entire foot and ankle trace letters of the alphabet in the air. For pain you can take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent such as ibuprofen 400mg every 4-6 hours, with food or milk, as needed.