When Should You See a Doctor After a Sports Injury?

Getting injured doing some sort of athletic activity can be devastating. There are so many issues that may arise and you have to try and sort out what it is that needs to be done. For example, how do you know if you pulled your hamstring or if you’re just a little sore after your run? In some instances, you may be much better off going to the doctor. But, when? Here are a few instances where it may just be best to head to your doctor.

If Your Sports Medicine Professional Recommends It

If you’re in a situation where you are able to get someone to check it right away (like in team sports), and your sports medicine professional recommends that you go see a doctor for a check-up, be sure that you do so. Many times, they have an idea as to what is going on, but they can’t diagnosis it, and would rather defer to your medical professional to start sorting everything out here.

If You Start to See or Experience Other Symptoms

Sometimes, the pain you feel from an injury can be a sign of something else underneath. What looks like a bruise or a sprain on the outside could be, at worst, a broken bone of some sort (even if it’s just a hairline fracture). Or, if you start to feel pain in other places, you may also want to go ahead and make an appointment with your doctor. They can help you out by looking at the injury and seeing if something else is going on. They can help you to sort out what needs to be addressed, ensure that you’ve got the resources you need and give you tools to recover.

If It Isn’t Getting Better Within 3-4 Days

If you feel the same amount of pain 3 or 4 days after your injury, it’s definitely time for you to consider going to your doctor. Usually, if you aren’t recovering at all and you’re still dealing with the same things that happened on day one, then there’s likely something bigger that is going to need to be addressed in order to remedy the situation. You have many of the same concerns with this issue that come with additional symptoms – it is, likely, something more than just a simple strain or sprain, and you need additional care in order to ensure that you’ve got everything that you need in order to recover properly and get back out on the athletic field or the track.

Look at your options and be gentle with yourself. In a majority of cases, it’s better to be safe than sorry, and setting up an appointment with your doctor can go a long way in that whole process. Take the time to take care of yourself and you’ll find that you’re much closer to ensuring that you’re still able to enjoy your favorite athletic activities for a long time.