Will your ankle bruise if broken?

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 fractured or bruised?

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.

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.

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 walk on a broken ankle and not know it?

Can I really break my ankle and not know it? It may sound strange, but the answer is a resounding, Yes! While it seems like a broken bone is something you should be able to detect, the truth is that other ankle injuries share similar symptoms.

Ankle Sprain? Is it BROKE? How to Tell

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.

Is it a sprain or a break?

If you can walk with soreness, it is unlikely that it is broken. Is there significant swelling? If the injured area experiences immediate and severe swelling, that could be a sign of a broken bone or fracture. However, if the swelling is mild and develops gradually, it is likely a sprain or strain.

Did I just sprained my ankle?

Signs and symptoms of a sprained ankle vary depending on the severity of the injury. They may include: Pain, especially when you bear weight on the affected foot. Tenderness when you touch the ankle.

Should I go to ER for sprained ankle?

Go to urgent care if your pain level and swelling is significant and you have difficulty walking, to the point that you need assistance, due to the pain. Go to the emergency room if your foot is bruised, deformed, or you are unable to walk at all. You may have a fracture, broken bone or serious ligament damage.

How do I know if my ankle sprain is serious?

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 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.

Is my ankle fractured?

Obtaining a radiograph is the best way to identify if you have broken your ankle. A bad ankle sprain can also cause swelling and inability to walk, and a simple x-ray will help determine if you have a broken ankle (fracture) or an ankle sprain.

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.

What hurts worse sprain or break?

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.

How do you tell if a bone is bruised?

Can you wiggle your toes with a broken foot?

Can you move a broken toe? “If you can still move it then it's not broken.” – False. This is another harmful old wives' tale. Although it may be possible to move and walk on your broken toe, you should avoid doing so as this can lead to even greater damage and prolonged healing time.

Can you have a broken bone without bruising or swelling?

It is common knowledge among orthopaedic surgeons that there may be no external signs of bruising in association with a fracture, and this is one of the many reasons why so much emphasis is placed on marking the limb before surgery.

When should I go to the doctor for ankle pain?

Have severe pain or swelling. Have an open wound or severe deformity. Have signs of infection, such as redness, warmth and tenderness in the affected area or a fever greater than 100 F (37.8 C) Cannot put weight on your foot.

What is the difference between a sprained ankle and a twisted ankle?

A sprained ankle is similar to a twisted ankle but to a greater degree. When you sprain your ankle, it means you have stretched, and possibly even torn, the ligaments of your ankle. If your ankle is swollen, bruised and painful after you twist it, then you have most likely sprained it.

How long does a rolled ankle take to heal?

Mild, low-grade ankle sprains will usually heal in one to three weeks with proper rest and non-surgical care( such as applying ice). Moderate injuries may take between three and four weeks. Because of limited blood flow to the ligaments of the ankle, more severe injuries may take between three and six months to heal.

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.

Will a sprained ankle turn black and blue?

The last 2 kinds of sprains are often associated with tearing of small blood vessels. This allows blood to leak into tissues and cause black and blue color in the area. The blood may not appear for several days. Most of the time, it is absorbed from the tissues within 2 weeks.

What does a Grade 2 sprain look like?

With a grade 2 sprain, your ligament is partially torn. The incomplete tear causes bruising (due to bleeding beneath the skin), swelling, and moderate pain. The joint remains fairly stable, but the affected area is tender to the touch.

How do I know if my ankle sprain is grade 1 or 2?

Grade 1: Stretching or slight tearing of the ligament with mild tenderness, swelling and stiffness. The ankle feels stable and it is usually possible to walk with minimal pain. Grade 2: A more severe sprain, but incomplete tear with moderate pain, swelling and bruising.

Is there bruising with grade 1 ankle sprain?

First-degree sprain

The ligaments are stretched or slightly torn. The pain is mild, with tenderness and swelling but no bruising. The ankle still functions, but walking may be difficult.