When to seek emergency help

Seek medical care right away if:

• You can't put weight on the injured leg, the joint feels unstable or numb, or you can't use the joint. This may mean the ligament was completely torn. On the way to see your healthcare professional, apply a cold pack.
• You have a change of color or streaks of color that spread out from the injured area. This may mean you have an infection.
• You have pain directly over the bones of an injured joint.
• You have re-injured an area that has been injured a few times in the past.
• You have a severe sprain. Delayed treatment might lead to ongoing pain and the joint not being stable.