What hurts more broken ankle or sprained ankle?

The bottom line

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.

Does a sprained ankle hurt more than a broken ankle?

Sprains. 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.

Why is a sprained ankle worse than a break?

Sometimes, a sprain can be even more painful than a break. A sprain is caused by trauma that overstretches ligaments and puts stress on a joint. A mild sprain is where the ligaments are stretched but the joint remains stable, while a moderate sprain is where the ligaments are slightly torn, making the joint unstable.

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

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.

What is the most painful ankle injury?

Achilles Tendonitis or Tear

The largest tendon in the body, the Achilles connects the two primary calf muscles to the bone in the heel. The tendon runs lengthwise down the back of the ankle and it is particularly susceptible to inflammation because of overuse.

Ankle Sprain? Is it BROKE? How to Tell

How painful is a sprained ankle?

“Some sprains just feel twisted or tweaked, and while they are a little swollen and tender, you can still walk. But ankle sprains can also be fairly severe, with lots of swelling and bruising, along with severe pain when any weight is placed on them.” Too often, Dr.

What is a grade 3 ankle sprain?

Grade 3: This is a complete tear of the affected ligament(s) with severe swelling and bruising. The ankle is unstable and walking is likely not possible because the ankle gives out and there is intense pain.

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.

Can you move your foot if your ankle is broken?

In comparison to a sprain, where you can usually walk on your ankles, ankle fractures tend to be very painful. Most people with a fractured ankle can't put weight on it. A fractured ankle or significant sprain causes immediate swelling and the ankle cannot be moved.

Is my ankle broken if I can walk on it?

Many people assume that if you can put weight on the ankle then it isn't broken, however, it is possible to walk on a broken ankle, particularly with a less severe fracture. If you're concerned your ankle may be broken, we recommend contacting your doctor, who can conduct an examination or order and xray if necessary.

Is it worse to break or sprain?

Higher grade injuries can result in chronic joint instability and pain which may require surgical repair. A fracture is an injury to a bone when the tissue of the bone is broken. Many fractures will as strong as it was originally therefore, higher grade sprains can be worse than a fracture.

Can a sprain be mistaken for 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.

What hurts more torn ligament or broken bone?

Broken bones, ligament or tendon is a painful thing. We should avoid them as much as possible. But why do bones heal better than ligaments/tendons? The short answer is because the bone has plenty of blood supply to it compared to ligament/tendon, which has very little and ligament/tendons are more complex to rebuild.

What is worse a fracture or a break?

Some people assume that fractured bones are more serious than broken bones, while others assume it's the other way around. But the truth is that these terms are used interchangeably, and they have the same meaning to medical professionals.

How painful is a broken ankle?

If you fractured your ankle, you will likely experience immediate, sharp pain and possible swelling. Additional symptoms include: Pain that spreads throughout the foot and up your leg, toward your knee. Intensifying pain if you try to bear weight on your foot.

Can you bear weight on a broken ankle?

When you experience an ankle fracture, it could feel similar to an ankle sprain. In fact, sometimes you are even able to weight bear with limited discomfort. A more serious ankle fracture often result in the inability to bear weight and can necessitate surgery.

Do you need a cast for a sprained ankle?

For a Grade 2 sprain, a removable plastic device, such as a walking boot or aircast brace, can provide support. Grade 3 sprains may require a short leg cast or cast-brace for 10 to 14 days. In most cases, swelling and pain will last 2 to 3 days.

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).

Why does my broken ankle hurt more at night?

During the night, there is a drop in the stress hormone cortisol which has an anti-inflammatory response. There is less inflammation, less healing, so the damage to bone due to the above conditions accelerates in the night, with pain as the side-effect.

Can you hear a pop with a Grade 2 ankle sprain?

A severe sprain causes actual tearing of the elastic fibers. When a sprain occurs, you may fall or be unable to stand on that foot. You may even hear a “pop.” Pain and swelling will occur.

What is the popping noise when you sprain your ankle?

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. A “cracking” noise means it's most likely a fractured bone.

Why does my sprained ankle hurt at night?

Intense pain can be a result of torn ligaments that link the bones together. Some patients even experience nighttime ankle pain, which can come from bruising and swelling. Existing medical conditions, such as peripheral neuropathy, can possibly be a factor in developing ankle pain at night.

Does a sprain hurt to touch?

The ankle area is usually tender to touch, and it hurts to move it. In more severe sprains, you may hear and/or feel something tear, along with a pop or snap. You will probably have extreme pain at first and will not be able to walk or even put weight on your foot.

Can I walk on my sprained ankle after 3 days?

A grade 1 sprain causes little damage to the ligaments, and although the ankle will be tender for a few days, you can walk on it after a short period of rest. At grade 2 sprain, there is some tearing of the tissues and a longer recovery time of up to 4 weeks.

Can I call out of work for a sprained ankle?

A lot of people struggle with the idea of taking time off work for a simple ankle injury and unless your job has a high physical demand for moving, lifting, climbing, and so on you should actually be alright to go in as soon as your doctor has confirmed that there are no fractures or major tears in your tendons that ...