Here we have discussed the broken and sprained ankle in a single post for yours! Broken vs sprained ankle is not an established, well-known medical term!
Typically the general people search the term “Broken vs sprained ankle” on google! But many fresher medical students also search this term “Broken vs sprained ankle” to know about broken and sprained ankles in a single place.
A broken ankle means your ankle has been broken! Due to an injury, your ankle may break down, and you can’t put any weight on your leg. Your ankle may be tender to the touch, swollen and bruised.
A sprained ankle means a ligament of your ankle has been torn! Ankle sprain symptoms are similar to fracture symptoms, but you’ll need to recognize which injury you have so you can heal quickly.
Broken vs Sprained Ankle: 6 Big Differences
| Broken Ankle | Sprained Ankle |
| Fracture of ankle bone. | Tear of ankle ligament. |
| Pain may occur. | Pain may occur. |
| Crack sound may occur. | No sound will occur. |
| Swelling may happen. | Swelling may also happen. |
| Numbness and tingling sensation may found. | No numbness will be found. |
| Tenderness will be found over the ankle bone. | Pain will be found in the soft part of ankle. |
Signs of Broken and Sprained Ankle
Both sprains and breaks can cause pain, swelling, and bruises. Also, with both ankle sprains and ankle fractures, it may be difficult to put weight on your hurt foot.
The best way to tell if your ankle is sprained or broken is to have an ankle specialist at Arlington/Mansfield Foot & Ankle Centers look at it. Your doctor will determine your injury by doing a physical exam and, if needed, a digital X-ray and/or CT scan.
When seeking out if your ankle injury is a sprain or a fracture, here are some signs to look for:
Signs of a Sprained Ankle
- You can put weight on your ankle (either immediately or after several hours)
- Pain from mild to moderate
- Ankle instability
- Some swelling and bruising
Signs of a Broken Ankle
- You can’t put weight on your ankle immediately or after a few hours or days.
- Pain may be moderate to severe pain, and sometimes numbness.
- Bruising and swelling happen right away and are easy to see.
- Deformity of the ankle
When should you seek Medical attention for a Broken and Sprained Ankle?
If your ankle is deformed, you are in a lot of pain, or you can’t walk, you should go to the doctor immediately.
If you have an ankle sprain, but your injury doesn’t improve after a few days of rest and ice, you should make an appointment with your physician or physiotherapist.
If you don’t treat a broken ankle correctly, it can lead to severe and debilitating problems. And ankle sprains that don’t heal right can cause more ankle sprains and make the ankle unstable.
It’s essential to diagnose your ankle problems and treat your ankle so you can get back to your normal life as soon as possible.
Final Words
If you break your ankle, you should make sure to get treatment right away. This is because the ankle needs to be stabilized, so the bones don’t hurt the muscles, tissues, and ligaments around it. You may need surgery if it is in very severe condition. On the other hand, ankle sprains rarely require surgery. This usually only happens when ligaments and tissue are torn. Most ankle sprains can be treated using a similar three-step process: RICE, Restoration, and Reintroduction.
FAQ about Broken vs Sprained Ankle
Here are some frequently about questions Broken and Sprained Ankle!
How to tell if your ankle is broken?
- It hurts a lot, and the pain may get worse.
- A lot of swelling or bruises are present, or the swelling or bruises are worsening.
- Putting weight on it hurts.
- It’s hard to move or feels very stiff.
- You may also have a high temperature in your affected area. This could be a sign of an infection.
Can you bear weight on a broken ankle?
When your ankle breakdown, it might feel like you have sprained it. Sometimes you can bear some weight with only a little bit of pain. But if iyour ankle break badly, you may not be able to put weight on it and may need surgery.
How to treat a sprained ankle?
This is the primary treatment for sprained ankle.
- Rest: Don’t do things that hurt, swell up, or make you feel bad.
- Ice: Use an ice pack or ice slush bath for 15 to 20 minutes. Do this every two to three hours while you’re awake.
- Compression: To stop the ankle from swelling, put an elastic bandage around it and squeeze it until it disappears.
- Elevation