Injuries can happen at work, while playing sports, through accidents, or due to other causes. Regardless of how you prepare, you cannot completely prevent injuries from occurring, but you can reduce their likelihood. The good news is that most mild and moderate cases heal with rest, at-home remedies, and minimal interventions.
However, some cases require medical care. Here’s when to see your doctor for your injury:
1. The Injury Causes Unrelenting Pain
It’s normal to experience some pain with any injury. However, the severity of the pain should decrease over time as you heal.
Suppose the pain is unrelenting and doesn’t improve with home remedies and self-care. This may be a sign that the injury is more serious than you thought.
In this case, it’s best to seek medical attention, so your doctor can address the underlying issue before it becomes worse. Your provider can also recommend suitable treatment options to help you manage the pain.
2. You Have Difficulty Moving
Serious injuries can often cause swelling, stiffness, and difficulty with movement. You should see your doctor if you have difficulty doing the following:
- Walking or running
- Lifting objects
- Performing everyday activities
- Getting dressed
- Grooming yourself
Your doctor can provide treatment options to help reduce pain and swelling, and increase your range of motion. These treatments can help you return to your daily routine without problems.
3. You Want To Mitigate The Risk Of Long-Term Complications
It’s important to take an injury seriously, even if it is mild. If left untreated, some injuries can lead to long-term complications, such as chronic pain, immobility, and disability.
Seeing a doctor can help you prevent these from occurring in the future by quickly getting your issue diagnosed and treated.
4. You Want An Accurate Diagnosis
An injury doesn’t have to be severe for you to experience a great deal of pain and discomfort. Therefore, the first step is to get an accurate diagnosis from your doctor.
They can provide more insight into the type of injury you have. Afterward, your doctor can recommend the appropriate treatment options.
For example, suppose you’ve sprained your ankle. A doctor can provide a detailed diagnosis and determine if it’s just a sprain or if there are underlying issues. If you have an underlying condition, it may require further medical attention.
5. You Want To Follow An Effective Treatment Plan
You should see your doctor if you want a comprehensive treatment plan with personalized advice.Your doctor can provide guidance and advice on how to best manage your specific injury and reduce any long-term effects. They can also help you avoid future re-injury.
6. You Want To Return To Your Activities As Soon As Possible
Seeing a doctor for your injury can help you return to your daily activities as soon as possible. They can provide advice and treatment that will help you recover quickly. That way, you can get back to leading an active lifestyle.
Physically active people may find that medical attention is especially beneficial in helping them achieve their goals and avoid re-injury. Examples include athletes.
It’s important to remember that no matter how minor the injury may seem, see your doctor if you have concerns.
When Do You Need Urgent Care?
Consider seeking urgent care if your injury is severe and causing you intense pain but does not require emergency attention. Urgent care centers provide timely medical assistance for serious injuries and illnesses.
Examples of conditions that require urgent care include broken bones, muscle strains, and deep cuts. Concussion-related symptoms such as vision changes or vomiting are also common.
It’s important to get treated quickly if the injury is severe to minimize any long-term impacts.
Trusted Injury Doctor Near You In Rochester, NY
You should consult a doctor about an injury if the pain is unrelenting or impairs your movement. You can also rely on your doctor if you want to prevent long-term complications or want a tailored treatment plan. They can help you return to your activities as soon as possible. Your doctor can provide personalized advice and treatments to help you heal quickly and safely.
Are you looking for a trusted injury doctor near you? Rely on the compassionate and trained healthcare team at Cornerstone Urgent Care Center. We have highly skilled and experienced providers specializing in emergency medicine and urgent care. If you have questions about our comprehensive services, you can call us today at (585) 207-0088. You can also send us a message if you want to book a consultation with our expert providers.We look forward to helping you recover from your injury!