Ask The Experts

I rolled my ankle and felt a distinct pop. I was able to walk immediately and have continued to walk. It is, however, quite swollen and visibly bruised. The pain is pretty minimal. Can I keep it iced, elevated, and wear a boot or do I definitely need an x-ray? What dangers should I be concerned about?

Thank you for contacting IPFH. We do not diagnose conditions or recommend treatments on line. We at IPFH always prefer to err on the side of caution, so we would recommend a visit to your primary care physician or a foot care specialist. He or she can determine whether or not an x-ray is needed. The symptoms you describe are consistent with an ankle sprain; however, the fact that you can walk and that you do not have a high level of pain does not completely eliminate the possibility of a fracture. So, a conservative diagnosis and treatment protocol would likely include imaging of the area. We hope you will consult a medical professional, and that you will soon be back to normal.

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