24/7 SPRAIN & STRAIN CARE
Sprains & Strains ER in Houston — X-Rays & Care 24/7
If you twisted an ankle, pulled a muscle, or injured a joint and it is swollen, bruised, or painful to use, The Heights Emergency Room in Houston is open 24/7 with on-site X-rays to check for a sprain, strain, or broken bone. Walk in anytime, no appointment needed.
Open 24/7 • Walk-Ins Welcome • No Appointment Required
WHAT WE OFFER
Sprain and Strain Care in Houston, Day or Night
Open 24/7, Even Holidays
Sports injuries and falls happen at any hour. We are open every hour of every day.
Walk-Ins Welcome
No appointment or referral is needed for emergency evaluation.
On-Site X-Rays
An X-ray shows whether a bone is broken or a joint is out of place.
Physician Evaluation
A board-certified emergency physician examines the injury and checks circulation and feeling.
Splints, Slings & Crutches
Support is provided when needed, with clear home-care instructions.
Near Houston Heights
101 N Loop W #300, Houston, TX 77018, on the North Loop.
A sprain and a fracture can look and feel alike. An X-ray is the way to know whether a bone is broken.
WHEN TO COME IN
When Should You Go to the ER for a Sprain or Strain?
Go to the ER if you can’t put weight on the limb, the joint looks deformed, swelling is rapid or severe, or you felt or heard a pop followed by instability. These signs can point to a fracture or a significant ligament injury, and an X-ray can show whether a bone is broken. Mild soreness that improves with rest usually does not need the ER.
A sprain stretches or tears a ligament, the tissue that connects bone to bone, while a strain involves a muscle or tendon. Both are common in sports, falls, missteps, and lifting injuries, and the ankle, knee, wrist, and lower back are among the most affected areas.
Because the symptoms overlap with broken bones, a painful, swollen joint is worth having examined, particularly after a fall or twisting injury that leaves you unable to walk or grip normally.
Get emergency care for an injury with:
- Inability to bear weight or use the limb
- Visible deformity or a joint that looks out of place
- Rapid or severe swelling
- A pop or snap at the time of injury
- Numbness, tingling, or a cold, pale hand or foot
- Severe pain that doesn’t ease with rest
- Bruising that spreads quickly
- Pain after a fall, collision, or accident
PATIENT REVIEWS
What Patients Say About The Heights Emergency Room
4.7
★★★★★
Based on 664 Google reviews (as of October 2026)
Patients frequently mention a welcoming atmosphere and a clean facility.
E
Erika M. on Google
★★★★★
My sister went into anaphylactic shock while at work and her airway started to close. When we walked in the receptionist took one look at her swelling and ushered us to a medical suite. … I am immensely grateful to the care staff here. Their professionalism and efficiency went a long way to keep my sister calm during the whole process.
K
Kendi on Google
★★★★★
I had a great experience at The Heights Emergency Room after a head injury. … Dr. Zahid was very thorough in his evaluation and took the time to explain everything clearly. … I’m very grateful for the excellent care I received and would highly recommend The Heights Emergency Room!
A
Ahson W. on Google
★★★★★
Very good service. I brought my son here and they very quickly attended to him. … Abdullah took my son’s blood and Pablo administered the CT scan. … Dr. Khan explained the results thoroughly and professionally.
M
Michelle R. on Google
★★★★★
I had a great experience at this ER. The facility was very clean, and the staff was attentive, professional, and compassionate. They took the time to listen to my concerns and made sure all of my needs were addressed. I felt well cared for throughout my visit.
S
Samantha M. on Google
★★★★★
The staff here are amazing!! I had an embarrassing and painful health issue. … This staff made me feel so comfortable and supported through the pain, I didn’t feel embarrassed. … I left feeling heard, educated, and 1000% better!
Need emergency care now?
The Heights Emergency Room is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. No appointment needed.
Reviews reflect individual patient experiences; care and outcomes vary.
Hurt Yourself and Not Sure How Bad It Is?
The Heights Emergency Room is open 24/7 with on-site X-rays, no appointment needed.
For heavy bleeding or a bone through the skin, call 911.
On This Page
Injured? We’re Open 24/7 with X-Rays
Emergency evaluation is available day and night at The Heights Emergency Room.
What to Do Right After an Injury
The first hours matter.
Early steps
- Stop activity and rest the injured area
- Apply ice wrapped in a cloth for 15 to 20 minutes at a time
- Use a compression wrap if it feels comfortable, not tight
- Raise the limb above heart level when possible
- Avoid walking or gripping on a painful limb
- Remove rings or tight items before swelling increases
Don’t massage a swollen joint or try to push a joint back into place. If you can’t tell whether a bone is broken, get an X-ray.
Sprain, Strain, or Fracture?
They can feel alike.
Sprains and strains typically cause pain, swelling, and bruising, and a joint can feel loose or weak. Fractures can cause the same signs, along with a bone that is tender to touch, a limb that looks out of shape, or pain that makes any movement difficult.
Because it is hard to tell them apart by feel, an X-ray helps. For suspected breaks, see our broken bone and fracture page.
Ankle and Foot Sprains
The most common sprain we see.
Rolling an ankle on uneven ground, a curb, or a court is one of the most common reasons people seek care for an injury. Mild sprains cause tenderness and swelling, while severe ones can cause bruising, a feeling of instability, and trouble walking.
An X-ray is helpful if the bony part of the ankle or foot is tender to touch, or if you can’t take four steps.
Knee, Wrist, and Back Strains
Different joints, similar warning signs.
Knee injuries that cause swelling, locking, or giving way, wrist injuries after catching a fall, and back or hamstring strains from lifting or sports are common reasons for urgent evaluation.
Pain after a fall onto an outstretched hand, severe back pain with numbness or weakness, or any injury with a head or neck impact needs prompt care. See our severe back pain page for back warning signs.
UNDERSTANDING THE INJURY
How Are Sprains and Strains Graded?
Severity ranges from mild stretching to a complete tear.
Grade 1 injuries stretch the tissue slightly and cause mild pain and swelling. Grade 2 injuries involve a partial tear, with more swelling, bruising, and loss of function. Grade 3 injuries are complete tears and often cause instability. Grading depends on an exam, and further imaging may be advised in some cases.
Healing time varies with severity and location. Mild sprains often improve within a couple of weeks, while moderate or severe injuries can take longer and may need follow-up with an orthopedic or sports medicine provider.
YOUR ER VISIT
What Happens When You Visit the ER for a Sprain or Strain?
A physician asks how the injury happened and examines the area for swelling, tenderness, movement, and circulation.
Exam & History
The physician checks the injury, your range of motion, pulses, and feeling in the hand or foot.
X-Ray
An X-ray shows whether a bone is broken or a joint is out of place.
Support & Aftercare
A splint, sling, or crutches are provided when needed, along with home-care and follow-up instructions.
Patients who need hospital admission or specialist care are transferred, and our staff arranges ambulance transport.
What Causes Sprains and Strains?
Most happen during everyday activity:
Sports & Exercise
Sudden twists, jumps, pivots, and collisions.
Missteps & Uneven Ground
Curbs, stairs, and rolled ankles.
Lifting & Overuse
Heavy lifting or repeated strain on a muscle.
Falls & Accidents
Slips, falls, and vehicle collisions.
This list is general information, not a diagnosis. An exam is the best way to learn what is injured.
QUICK ANSWERS
Sprain and Strain Questions, Answered
How do I know if my ankle is sprained or broken?
You can’t tell for sure without an X-ray. Pain, swelling, and bruising occur with both. See a physician promptly if the bony part of the ankle or foot is tender, the area looks out of shape, or you can’t take four steps. An X-ray can show whether a bone is broken.
Should I go to the ER for a sprained ankle?
Go to the ER if you can’t bear weight, the ankle looks deformed, swelling is rapid, you felt a pop, or the foot is numb or cold. A mild sprain that you can walk on and that improves with rest, ice, and elevation can often be managed at home. When you’re unsure, an exam and X-ray can give you answers.
Does The Heights Emergency Room take X-rays for sprains?
Yes. The Heights Emergency Room at 101 N Loop W #300, Houston, TX 77018, has on-site X-rays and is open 24/7. A board-certified emergency physician examines the injury, and we can provide splints, slings, or crutches when needed. No appointment is required, and we treat both adults and children.
What is the difference between a sprain and a strain?
A sprain is an injury to a ligament, the tissue that connects one bone to another, and it often happens at a joint such as the ankle or wrist. A strain is an injury to a muscle or the tendon that attaches it to bone, such as a pulled hamstring or lower back strain.
What should I do right after twisting a joint?
Stop activity and rest the area. Apply ice wrapped in a cloth for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, use a comfortable compression wrap, and raise the limb above heart level. Avoid putting weight on it if it hurts, and get an X-ray if the pain is severe or you can’t use the limb normally.
EMERGENCY SAFETY
When Should You Call 911 for an Injury?
Call 911 if an injury is severe, or if you suspect a serious problem beyond a sprain.
Call 911 for:
- A bone through the skin
- Heavy bleeding that won’t stop
- A limb that looks badly deformed
- A cold, pale, or numb hand or foot
- Severe pain after a major fall or crash
- A head, neck, or spine injury
- Confusion or loss of consciousness
- Trouble breathing or chest pain
Paramedics can stabilize the injury, control bleeding, and protect the spine during transport to the ER.
Don’t move someone with a suspected neck or back injury. Wait for emergency crews.
WHERE TO GO
ER vs Urgent Care for Sprains and Strains
Many mild sprains can be evaluated at urgent care, but severe injuries and those with signs of a break are better evaluated in an ER.
Call 911
- A bone through the skin
- Heavy bleeding
- A badly deformed limb
- A cold, pale, or numb limb
Go to the ER
- Can’t bear weight or use the limb
- Rapid or severe swelling
- A pop with instability
- Pain after a fall or accident
Urgent Care or Your Doctor
- Mild pain you can walk or grip with
- Minor swelling that is improving
- Follow-up after an ER evaluation
If you are unsure, choose the ER.
Learn more about the difference between urgent care and the ER.
24/7 Sprain and Strain Care in Houston
Injuries happen at any hour. The Heights Emergency Room is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays.
Emergency Physician Exam
Evaluation of the injury.
On-Site X-Rays
To check for fractures.
Circulation & Nerve Checks
Pulse and feeling checks.
Splints & Slings
To protect the injury.
Crutches
For walking support.
Aftercare Instructions
Home care and follow-up.
Testing and treatment depend on your injury and the physician’s evaluation.
Sprain and Strain ER Near Houston Heights
The Heights Emergency Room is a freestanding emergency room at 101 N Loop W #300, Houston, TX 77018, along the North Loop (610). It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for adults and children with sprains, strains, and joint injuries and can be reached at (281) 560-4373.
The Heights Emergency Room
101 N Loop W #300
Houston, TX 77018
Houston, TX 77018
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
If you are searching for:
- Sprained ankle ER near me
- Emergency room for sprain Houston
- ER with X-ray near Houston Heights
- Twisted ankle emergency room Houston
The Heights Emergency Room is open day and night for injury evaluation.
Serving Houston Heights and Nearby Neighborhoods
Patients with sprains, strains, or sports injuries come to us from across central and northwest Houston—including Garden Oaks, Oak Forest, Houston Heights, Timbergrove, Woodland Heights, Independence Heights, the Northside, Rice Military, the Washington Avenue corridor, First Ward, and Downtown. If you can’t put weight on the limb, come in for an exam and X-ray at our North Loop location, a short drive from many of these neighborhoods.
ZIP 77018
Garden Oaks, Oak Forest, and Independence Heights / Central Northwest
ZIP 77008
Houston Heights, Lazybrook, and Timbergrove
ZIP 77009
Heights East, Northside, and the Woodland Heights area
ZIP 77022
Independence Heights and Northline / Northside
ZIP 77007
Washington Avenue, Rice Military, the western and southern Heights, and First Ward
ZIP 77002
Downtown, northern Downtown, and nearby First Ward areas
Travel times vary with traffic and time of day.
FAQ
Sprains and Strains ER — Frequently Asked Questions
Mild sprains often improve in one to two weeks, while moderate to severe sprains can take several weeks or longer. Follow your physician’s instructions and any recommended follow-up.
Yes. Fractures and sprains can both cause pain, swelling, and bruising, and some small fractures are easy to miss without an X-ray. If you can’t bear weight or the bone is tender to touch, get an X-ray rather than waiting.
Ice is generally recommended in the first day or two to help with swelling, applied for 15 to 20 minutes at a time with a cloth between the ice and your skin. Heat may feel better later, but avoid it on a fresh, swollen injury.
It depends on the injury and how it heals. In general, return when you have full motion, normal strength, and no pain with activity. Ask the treating physician or a follow-up provider for guidance based on your specific injury.
Bring a photo ID, a list of your medications and allergies, and details about how the injury happened. Wear loose clothing that can be moved aside to expose the injury, and remove rings or jewelry near a swollen limb.
No. The Heights Emergency Room is a walk-in emergency room open 24/7. For a severe injury, heavy bleeding, or a bone through the skin, call 911.
Medical disclaimer: This page provides general health information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Hurt Your Ankle, Knee, or Wrist? Get It Checked.
Don’t guess whether it’s a sprain or a break. Come in for an exam and X-ray, 24/7, no appointment needed.
For heavy bleeding or a bone through the skin, call 911.
