How can you tell the difference between a broken ankle and a sprained ankle?

While swelling is a symptom of both injuries, if your ankle looks clearly “off,” it's most likely because a bone is broken. Does your ankle feel numb? With a sprain, you feel pain. But if you have numbness or tingling, your ankle is most likely broken.

Can you break your ankle and still walk on it?

Broken ankle — can you still walk? Typically, a minor ankle fracture won't prevent you from walking. You might even be able to walk right after the injury. If you have a serious break, you'll need to avoid walking for a few months.

Can you wiggle your toes with a broken ankle?

Most believe that if they can wiggle their toes or move the ankle around that an ankle fracture has not occurred. The reason this is not true is because the nerves and muscles that allow the movement of the ankle have not been affected by the fracture.

What hurts more broken ankle or sprained ankle?

A broken ankle is a more severe injury than a sprained ankle. With a clean break that doesn't need surgery, recovery can take around 6 to 8 weeks. If you need surgery, recovery will take longer. With a minor ankle sprain, it may take around 2 weeks to heal.

Did I break my foot or sprain it?

Another way to tell the difference between a broken foot and sprained foot is the sound the body makes when the injury occurs. If you have a sprain, you're more likely to hear a popping sound. If you have a fracture, then you're more likely to hear a cracking sound.

How can I tell if my ankle is sprained or broken?

Should I go hospital for a sprained ankle?

People with a more severe ankle sprain — characterized by extreme bruising or swelling and an inability to bear weight on the foot without significant pain, or when there doesn't seem to be any improvement over the first several days after the injury — should seek medical attention, Drs. SooHoo and Williams say.

Is a sprain more painful than a break?

Sprains can be extremely painful, and are easy to confuse as a break. Many times, they are more painful than a fracture, which has been confirmed by science.

How do I know if I need an xray on my ankle?

Tenderness over the bony prominence on either side of the ankle, particularly if it's in the back. Inability to bear any weight for four steps (limping counts as weight-bearing). Tenderness over the outer or inner edge of the foot (where the foot is widest).

Does a broken ankle bruise?

A person may see bruising around the ankle joint, although not immediately. The bruising can track down toward the sole of the foot or toward the toes. In severe fractures, there may be obvious deformities of bones around the ankle. Skin may be stretched over an underlying broken bone.

How do you tell if your ankle is broken at home?

Does a broken ankle swell and bruise?

The symptoms for a sprained ankle and a broken ankle are very similar and include: Pain. Swelling. Bruising.

How do I know if my ankle pain is serious?

Do Broken ankles swell right away?

If the swelling comes on gradually and is mild, the injury is likely a sprain or less severe. More immediate and significant swelling indicates a bony injury and possible fracture. When severe fractures occur, blistering of the skin is not uncommon.

When should you get a sprained ankle checked?

Does your ankle swell when you sprain it?

People usually feel immediate pain at the site of an ankle sprain. Often the ankle starts to swell immediately and may develop bruising. The affected area is usually tender to touch and may feel "wobbly" or unstable. In a mild sprain, swelling usually goes down within a few days.

What does a torn ligament in ankle feel like?

If you have torn your ankle ligament, symptoms include: Swelling around your ankle joint. A feeling of instability. Bruising – sometimes up your lower leg and into your foot.

What are the symptoms of a torn ankle ligament?

What Are the Symptoms of a Torn Ligament in an Ankle? You can feel sudden pain, and a tearing, snapping or popping sensation – which might be so bad you can't put weight on your foot – and swelling around your ankle joint. In some cases, there may bruising that extends down your foot and up your calf.

Can a sprained ankle get worse?

Yes. That's the very short answer. According to the National Association of Athletic Trainers, ankle injuries, including sprains, are very often undertreated. Ignoring treatment, including excessive movement of the ankle through unnecessary walking, leads to a greater risk of worsening the injury.

Is it easy to tell the difference between a sprain and a fracture?

Sprains and fractures can have a lot of the same symptoms, which can make it difficult for you to determine which one you've sustained in an injury. However, the difference is pretty simple — a fracture is a break in your bone, while a sprain is a soft tissue injury.

Can you walk on a hairline fracture?

Many people continue their regular day-to-day schedules with a stress fracture because the pain isn't unbearable like it is with other fractures. For instance, a hairline fracture in your foot may cause difficulty walking, but not so much so that it alerts you to see Dr. Scheffel.

Does a sprained foot hurt to touch?

Main symptoms

Most people with foot sprains will experience pain in the foot as well as tenderness when pushing on the foot. The location of the pain and tenderness may vary depending on the specific ligament that is injured.

How do I know what type of ankle injury I have?

Should you wrap a sprained ankle overnight?

Most experts recommend that you only wrap your ankle during the day for support and protection, while you continue to ice, elevate and rest the injury. While some people feel a sense of comfort from a compression wrap at night—unless it provides pain relief, you shouldn't have your ankle wrapped while you sleep.

Do you hear a snap when you sprain your ankle?

An Ankle Sprain occurs when one or more ligaments on the outer side of the ankle are stretched or torn. Sprains can range from mild to severe and are usually caused by overstretching beyond one's normal range of motion. A “popping” sound is very common to hear at the moment when you sprains your ankle.

Is it OK to walk on a sprained ankle?

Do not walk on a sprained ankle. The inflamed tissue needs time to heal, and walking on it too soon may cause more damage. Ankle sprains are common musculoskeletal injuries that can occur from playing sports or from everyday activities.