Sprained ankle vs. broken ankle: How to tell the difference

You or your baby had an accident and now the ankle is bruised and swollen, and hurts once you contact it. You’re questioning if the ankle is broken or sprained and what it’s best to do about it.

It’s necessary to know which kind of damage you will have as a result of therapy could be totally different for broken bones and sprains. But it’s a good suggestion to see an ankle specialist for both damage since sprained ankles usually want as a lot care and attention as broken ankles.

Below, we cowl the variations between sprained and broken ankles, attainable therapies and what you are able to do to be sure your damage doesn’t flip right into a long-term concern.

What’s the difference between ankle sprains and ankle fractures?

Simply put, sprains and fractures have an effect on totally different components of your ankle.

A fracture is once you break a bone

You have three bones in your ankle. A fracture is once you break a number of of those bones. Some fractures are minor, like a break that doesn’t go all the method by the bone (a stress fracture), or a bone that’s broken in two, however the items keep the place they’re supposed to be (a nondisplaced fracture). Other fractures are extra severe, for instance when a bone breaks in a number of locations (a displaced fracture) or a broken bone pokes by your pores and skin (an open fracture).

Ankle fractures are normally induced when an ankle joint is put beneath excessive pressure – maybe throughout a motorized vehicle accident, falling or if one thing heavy drops in your foot. But ankle stress fractures will also be overuse accidents attributable to sports activities comparable to long-distance running.

A sprain is once you injury your ligaments

Ligaments are the fibrous tissue that join your bones and supply stability once you transfer. If you will have a sprain, it implies that a number of of the ankle’s ligaments is stretched or torn. If you stretch your ligament, your sprain might be gentle, and you could not have numerous signs. If you partially or utterly tear your ligament, the damage will possible be extra painful and take longer to heal.

Sprains occur when your ankle and a ligament are pressured out of their regular positions – maybe when falling, leaping or strolling on an uneven floor. A broken ankle bone can even lead to ligament injury, which suggests you may have a fracture and a sprain at the similar time.

Signs and signs of a sprained ankle vs. broken ankle

Ankle accidents have widespread signs comparable to ache, swelling and bruising. But there are additionally variations in signs for sprains and fractures as a result of they have an effect on totally different components of your body.

So, what does a broken ankle appear to be? What does an ankle sprain really feel like? The following could be signs of sprained and broken ankles, however having your ankle examined by a health care provider is the solely method to know, for positive, which damage you will have.

Get handled in your ankle damage proper now

Ankle fractures and severe ankle sprains want therapy to get higher – and might shortly worsen with out it. We supply same-day appointments and orthopedic pressing care for ankle accidents so that you could be handled as quickly as attainable. But in case you have an open fracture and a bone is poking by your pores and skin, head to an emergency room.

Healing time: Sprained ankles vs. broken ankles

Ankle accidents can take a very long time to heal, relying on the kind of fracture or sprain.

How lengthy it takes for a broken ankle to heal

With a broken ankle, it may be weeks and even years earlier than it’s absolutely healed. Healing time will depend upon the location and variety of broken bones – a stress fracture would possibly heal in 6-8 weeks, for instance. But in case you have a severe fracture that wants surgical procedure, it could be two years earlier than your ankle absolutely heals.

What occurs if an ankle fracture goes untreated

Broken ankle bones ought to at all times be handled by an ankle specialist as quickly as attainable. Without well timed therapy, an ankle fracture can get greater or injury the smooth tissues (like ligaments) round the broken bone. And in case you have an open wound, it may get contaminated.

If you don’t deal with an ankle fracture, your ankle might not heal correctly. This can enhance your likelihood of creating bone issues – like arthritis or a everlasting foot deformity – that trigger continual ache and make it tough to stroll.

How lengthy it takes for a sprained ankle to heal

Here’s one thing that’s stunning: therapeutic instances for sprained ankles could be as lengthy (and even longer) than with broken ankles. While some sprains go away shortly, others can flip into long-term issues. The difference in therapeutic time comes down to how broken your ligament is. If your ligament is simply stretched, your ankle might heal inside a few days with out therapy. But in case your ligament has been partly or utterly torn, it may take up to six months to heal, and also you’ll undoubtedly want medical therapy.

What occurs if you happen to don’t deal with an ankle sprain

If you will have a minor sprain, your signs will normally go away after a number of days of self-care. But if signs last more than that, there’s likelihood that your ligament has been torn. If you don’t get therapy for a torn ligament, your ankle might not heal correctly, presumably creating ankle weak spot and different ongoing issues.

Chronic ankle instability is a situation the place it appears like the outdoors of your ankle regularly “gives way” once you’re strolling, running or standing. This makes it exhausting to transfer round and simple to injure your ankle over and over. Other signs of continual ankle instability embody swelling and discomfort that don’t go away.

How sprained ankles and broken ankles are handled

Treatment of ankle accidents differs relying on the seriousness of the damage. The following are issues to take note, however it’s at all times finest to discuss to an ankle specialist to ensure you’re getting the proper therapy in your damage.

Ankle sprain restoration: Some accidents could be handled at residence, however some want medical care

If you suppose you will have a sprain, it’s typically okay to wait a day or two earlier than seeing a health care provider. Mild sprains normally get higher with residence care, however extra severe sprains want medical therapy. So in case your ankle doesn’t look higher after a pair days or begins to look worse, make an appointment with an ankle specialist.

RICE remedy helps with ache and swelling of recent accidents

The RICE methodology – relaxation, ice, compression and elevation – is a advisable method to cut back the ache and swelling of recent accidents.

When you first injure your ankle, certainly one of the finest issues to do is to sit again and put your foot up. Try to maintain your ankle elevated for the first 24-72 hours, together with in a single day. During the first 24 hours, apply ice to your damage for 10-20 minutes at a time, three or extra instances a day. It’s additionally advisable that you simply put on a compression bandage round your foot as you heal.

Over-the-counter medicines can present added reduction

Pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) may also help cut back the ache and swelling that include ankle sprains. But examine along with your physician to be sure they’re protected for you.

Small actions can start the therapeutic course of

While it’s necessary to loosen up your ankle after an damage, it’s additionally necessary that you simply start transferring it round as quickly as attainable. Moving your ankle will assist to enhance blood stream to the space and promote therapeutic.

When authorized by a health care provider or bodily therapist, one exercise that you are able to do when sitting down (even whereas elevating your foot) is drawing an invisible alphabet along with your massive toe. In order in your toe to write letters in the air, your ankle wants to make light actions. After doing these exercises, it may be a good suggestion to elevate your foot and ice your ankle – this may also help forestall new ache or swelling.

A bit discomfort is okay once you start doing these exercises, but when it hurts lots, cease doing the exercises and focus on choices along with your physician or bodily therapist.

Physical remedy may also help your ankle heal correctly

Physical remedy can enhance ankle stability after a sprain and make repeat accidents much less possible. Physical remedy for sprains begins about two weeks after you’re injured. If you want surgical procedure, remedy will start when you’ve recovered from surgical procedure.

When you’re employed with a bodily therapist, you’ll get a customized therapy plan designed to assist construct up the strength and adaptability of your ankle. Physical remedy could be particularly useful if you happen to have been off your toes for a very long time or wanted surgical procedure. How lengthy you’ll want bodily remedy for a sprained ankle will depend upon how shortly you heal, however it’s normally a few month. Your bodily therapist might advocate exercises comparable to:

• Balance exercises: Your physician might advocate stability exercises when you’re in a position to stand with out ache. The objective of those exercises is to enhance the time you may stand on simply your injured foot whereas lowering how a lot you utilize your arms for stability. While standing in your injured foot, maintain your arms out to your sides (standing in a doorway may also help you stability if you happen to really feel unsteady) and keep in that place for so long as you may. Once you may keep on this place for 60 seconds, attempt balancing in your injured foot along with your arms throughout your chest as a substitute of out to the sides.
• Stretching exercises: Your physician might advocate exercises that stretch your Achilles tendon, calf muscle mass and different components of your body that help your ankle. Here’s an incredible exercise to stretch your calf: Sit on the ground along with your legs outstretched in entrance of you. Put a towel round your foot, after which use it to pull the prime of your foot towards your body till you’re feeling the stretch in your calf. Hold this for 20 seconds, then loosen up. Repeat this exercise 5 instances and do a number of sets throughout the day.
• Strengthening exercises: Exercises to strengthen your ankle could also be advisable as soon as you may stand with out ache or swelling. A standard exercise is an ankle eversion: Sit on a chair along with your injured ankle subsequent to a wall. With your foot flat towards the ground, push your ankle outward to the wall. Hold for about 5 seconds, then loosen up. It’s normally advisable to do about 10 sets a number of instances a day.

Ligament reconstructive surgical procedure might assist severe or nonhealing sprains

Most ankle sprains don’t require surgical procedure. Your bodily therapist might advocate minimally invasive surgical procedure to restore your ligament if it’s utterly torn or in case your damage is inflicting instability that may’t be mounted with different therapies. Ligament surgical procedure is extra widespread for individuals who have repeat ankle sprains.

See a health care provider as quickly as attainable for ankle fractures

If you suppose you will have a broken ankle, make a same-day appointment with an ankle specialist or head to an orthopedic pressing care location. Your foot will possible want medical attention – and the sooner you get care, the sooner you may start therapeutic. Plus, ankle fractures can shortly worsen.

Casts and splints could also be sufficient for easy ankle fractures

When bones transfer, it may get in the method of therapeutic. Splints and casts can maintain your ankle in place in order that the fractured bone can heal. Whether you want a splint or forged is determined by the location and seriousness of your fracture. If you will have a small stress fracture, a detachable splint could also be an possibility. Short leg casts are sometimes advisable for minor fractures the place your bones haven’t moved misplaced. If your bone has broken in a number of locations or in case you have a bone poking by your pores and skin, an ankle specialist might advocate surgical procedure earlier than placing on a forged.

You’ll want to put on the splint for about 4-8 weeks. During this time, it’s best to attempt to maintain weight off your fractured ankle as a lot as attainable.

Ankle surgical procedure is used for open fractures and poor therapeutic

Ankle surgical procedure is mostly advisable if you happen to’ve suffered a extreme break or there’s important injury to the surrounding tissues. For instance, if a bone is seen by the pores and skin, is broken in a number of locations or is misaligned. Ankle surgical procedure might also be advisable in case your ankle isn’t therapeutic correctly after different therapies.

Medications may also help management the ache and decrease infections

Pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) may also help with any ache from ankle fractures. But taking these medicines may cause unwanted effects like an upset abdomen if you happen to take them for a very long time, so discuss to your physician about what is smart for you. If you will have an open fracture, your physician will possible prescribe antibiotics to ensure you don’t get an an infection.

Physical remedy helps strengthen your ankle and enhance mobility

After an ankle fracture, bodily remedy is a crucial a part of the therapeutic course of. After being off your ankle for thus lengthy, you’ll want to relearn how to safely transfer your body whereas building up the strength and adaptability of the ankle joint. When you’re employed with a bodily therapist, you’ll get a customized therapy plan based mostly in your damage and objectives for restoration.

The exercises you do when recovering from a fractured ankle are related to these you’d do when recovering from a sprain. However, restoration normally takes about 6-8 weeks.

Once you’re out of the forged, a bodily therapist will possible advocate you start doing range-of-motion exercises like writing the alphabet along with your massive toe. When you first start these exercises, it might be uncomfortable, however it’s best to cease if you happen to’re feeling important or lasting ache.

Once you’re in a position to do range-of-motion exercises with ease, your bodily therapist will start you on stretching, flexibility and stability exercises. They may even work with you to develop the strength and stability you want for on a regular basis actions like strolling and hobbies like sports activities.

Get transferring after an ankle sprain or ankle fracture

Ankle sprains and fractures heal finest after they get the proper care shortly – and you are taking time to relaxation and construct up ankle strength earlier than leaping again into each day life.

For fractures and severe sprains, make a same-day appointment with an ankle specialist or head to orthopedic pressing care. But in case you have a broken bone that’s seen by your pores and skin, go to the emergency room.

If you suppose you will have a sprain, it’s high quality to attempt self-care for a few days. But in case your ankle doesn’t get higher or feels worse, make an appointment with an ankle specialist – they’ll find a way to decide in case you have a sprain or a fracture, in addition to the finest method to get you again in your toes once more.