sprained my ankle at work can I still go back?

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I sprained my ankle at work yesterday, its hurts fairly bad. However, I want to continue to work. I would like to use a cast boot, do most hospitals allow an employee to work this way? I just got this job and its my first working in a hospital. I would like to stay home and rest it, but there's no telling how much time off work it will take. is it ok to go to work with a cast boot on? I feel bad taking more than a day off. I'd call my supervisor and ask but i'd like to see how it is at other hospitals first. I'm also per diem and its my second week of orientation.

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Specializes in ICU/CCU, CVICU, Trauma.
I sprained my ankle at work yesterday, its hurts fairly bad. However, I want to continue to work. I would like to use a cast boot, do most hospitals allow an employee to work this way? I just got this job and its my first working in a hospital. I would like to stay home and rest it, but there's no telling how much time off work it will take. is it ok to go to work with a cast boot on? I feel bad taking more than a day off. I'd call my supervisor and ask but i'd like to see how it is at other hospitals first.

First, if you sprained your ankle at work, did you fill out an employee incident report? This usually requires you to be seen by employee health, or after hours, by your ER. You then need to follow the recommendations of employee health. In the event of a complication, if not seen in this manner, you would not be eligible for workmen's comp. At most places you have 24 hours to fill out an incident report.

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Specializes in Office Management.

I am not a nurse, but from a Human Resources perspective, only your doctor can tell you your limitations in regards to your work, regardless of what other hospitals allow. If this is something that happened on the job, I am sure you HR Department will know about the rules and will advise accordingly.

Good Luck!

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Yes i filled out a report and everyone knows about it. they sent me home early yesterday and i called in sick today. I suspect its a moderate sprain. I would like to work if they would allow me to using a cast boot. Do your hospitals allow you to work with cast boots?

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Specializes in ICU/CCU, CVICU, Trauma.
Yes i filled out a report and everyone knows about it. they sent me home early yesterday and i called in sick today. I suspect its a moderate sprain. I would like to work if they would allow me to using a cast boot. Do your hospitals allow you to work with cast boots?

Have you been seen by your ER or by your employee health? You say you "suspect" it's a moderate sprain. Have you been seen by any physician? Only they can tell you what it is safe to do. You're asking the question to the wrong people. You should be asking your own hospital.

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yes i have seen employee's health and the nurse told me to just to ice it and rest. But the only thing I want to know is if most hospitals allow their workers to come to work with cast boots on. Thanks for all your answers.

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Specializes in ICU/CCU, CVICU, Trauma.
yes i have seen employee's health and the nurse told me to just to ice it and rest. But the only thing I want to know is if most hospitals allow their workers to come to work with cast boots on. Thanks for all your answers.

Again, have you been seen by a physician?

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Specializes in Office Management.

I am just curious. If the nurse said to rest and ice the sprain, what is making you think that you will need a cast boot at all??

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Specializes in Critical Care/ICU.

Sprained ankles are nothing to mess with. If you don't allow the ligaments and tendons to heal you will have long term problems. This can sometimes mean staying OFF of it for a number of days and no weight bearing for a couple of weeks. It depends on the severity of the sprain.

Why not call emploee health and ask them your questions??

Doesn't matter what answers you get here. If you've sprained your ankle they probably have specific ways of handling that.

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well, when she saw me, my ankle was not swelling. it also was not hurting and as swollen as it is now. It wasn't until they sent me home that my foot started swelling and hurting more, all of which was not evident when the nurse assessed it. The reason for a cast boot is because I need the money so I need to work and I think I am able to do so without any safety hazard, its just me limping. and a cast boot will help to immobilize the ankle while its healing.

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Specializes in Critical Care/ICU.

If it's that bad, you need to stay off of it. Period. RICE it.

Rest

Ice

Compression

Elevation

This is why you go to employee health so if it is work related you are covered and able to file workmans comp.

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Specializes in Critical Care/ICU.

Oh, and be seen again by your employee health - today.

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