The ankles are a highly complex part of the body. They are composed of many different interlocking bones, each of which is vulnerable to injury. If you do injure your ankle, it is helpful to know the exact type of injury you are dealing with. Today, we explain how to know if your ankle is broken, sprained, or fractured so you can be more equipped to manage the injury.
What Is the Difference Between a Break, Sprain, or Fracture?
It is important to differentiate between the various types of ankle injuries and identify which one is at play because this determines the treatment you will receive and the best forward for healing. Although many ankle injuries can feel similar at first in terms of pain, it is important to determine which type is at play, as they can have very different consequences in the long term.
Broken and Fractured Ankles
A broken ankle is arguably the most serious ankle injury, though there is a great deal of variability in terms of how severe this injury can be. Broken ankles can be mild and relatively inconsequential cracks, or they can be extremely severe, with visible changes to the shape of one’s ankle.
Broken ankles affect the bones of the ankle. Possible indications that you are dealing with a break and not some other type of ankle injury include:
- Severe pain that has a rapid onset
- An inability to bear weight on your ankles
- Swelling and bruising (also present in other ankle injury types)
- Visible changes in the shape of your ankle
Broken ankles and fractured ankles are more or less interchangeable terms that refer to the same injury. Technically, a fracture refers to a broken bone that is caused by the bone being impacted by a force that is stronger than the bone itself – i.e., when a bone is broken due to a car crash.
Sprained Ankles
A sprain is an injury that occurs in the ligaments that connect the bones of the ankle. In a sprain, the ligaments and connective tissues become torn or strained. There is also a great deal of variability in terms of how severe a strain can be.
In particularly bad sprains, an individual may hear a popping sound, indicating that one of the ligaments in the ankle has completely torn. Most sprains are much milder than this and should heal on their own in a relatively short amount of time. Steps you can take to help your sprain heal faster include:
- Take simple over-the-counter anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen
- Getting plenty of rest
- Elevating your ankle
- Icing the impacted area
- Using compression bandages
If your ankle becomes sprained, you should start the recovery process as soon as possible. Continuing to apply pressure to a sprained ankle can exacerbate the problem and lead to further health problems down the line.
When Should I See a Doctor?
In the case of a sprain, there is a high chance that you will be able to recover from this type of injury without the need for professional medical intervention. Broken bones almost always require some medical treatment to heal properly.
The first step in determining the best path forward for treatment is to determine what type of injury is at play in the first place. In addition, if you experience any of the following symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately:
- Inability to put weight on your ankles
- Numbness in the area surrounding the injury
- Indications of infection, such as fever
- Intense pain and swelling that does not subside
- Visible deformation
Failing to treat a severe break or sprain can have dire consequences down the line. If you suspect that your ankle is sprained or broken, you should seek medical attention immediately to identify the problem.
The Best Foot Doctor Available
Foot and Ankle Concepts, Inc. is a highly regarded foot and ankle treatment center in Southern California. If you have questions regarding a possible ankle injury, do not hesitate to reach out to discuss treatments with a podiatry expert.
