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SYMPTOMS |
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DIAGNOSIS |
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SELF-CARE |
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| 1.
Did you begin to have pain or swelling after a
fall, a twisting injury or after the ankle was
hit? |
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Go to Question
5.* |
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| 2.
Is the pain so intense you're unable to walk on
the ankle? |
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You may have a FRACTURE or a severe
SPRAIN, and either condition may require
treatment. |
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Don't walk on the foot. Raise the leg and place
ice on the swollen area. See your doctor
promptly. |
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| 3.
Is there swelling and a bruise, but you're still
able to walk on the ankle comfortably? |
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You probably have a
SPRAINED ANKLE, but you could have a
FRACTURE of the FIBULA. |
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Use ice, elevation, rest and an elastic bandage
to keep the swelling under control. See your
doctor if the swelling and pain continue. |
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| 4.
Are the discomfort and swelling mild? |
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This is likely to be a
MILD SPRAIN. |
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Use ice, rest, elevation and a compression wrap
to keep down the swelling. After the first day,
you may use heat for discomfort. |
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*5. Do you have swelling,
redness or pain in both ankles? |
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You may have RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS. |
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Use analgesics and anti-inflammatory medicines
for discomfort and check with your doctor. |
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| 6.
Do you have a fever or is more than one joint
swollen and red? |
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Fever along with a painful, swollen joint could
mean an INFECTED JOINT. More than one affected
joint could mean RHEUMATIC FEVER. |
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URGENT
See your doctor promptly. |
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7. Did the pain come on
rapidly or does clothing that rubs against the
joint cause pain? |
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You may have
GOUT (inflammation caused by high uric acid
level in the blood). |
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See your doctor. |
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| 8.
Has the pain increased gradually? |
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It
could be DEGENERATIVE JOINT DISEASE from
arthritis or from previous trauma to the ankle. |
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Use heat and an anti-inflammatory medicine for
discomfort.
See your doctor. |
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| For more
information, please consult your doctor. If you
think the problem is serious, call right away. |
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