If a recent ankle injury has you wondering whether it is broken or sprained, look no further. By answering a few simple questions, you will know what you’re injury entails and what treatment to expect. 

A Broken Ankle Vs. a Sprain

A fractured bone identifies a broken ankle. A sprain, on the other hand, might be more challenging to detect. It occurs when the ligaments (the tissue that holds two bones together at the joint) are overstretched or torn. 

Both incidents are painful and require medical attention. Knowing which injury you have incurred can help you mentally prepare for the healing process and avoid doing anything that could cause further damage. 

How Do I Know if I Have a Sprain or Break? 

Sprains and breaks have many of the same symptoms, which make identifying the injury difficult. For example, you will experience pain, swelling, and bruising with either injury. There are, however, signs that will help you be able to tell the difference. 

Ask yourself the following questions to our “is my ankle broken or sprained quiz”:

• Did I hear a noise when it happened? It is common to hear the sound of the bone cracking or popping when it is fractured. Meanwhile, sprains are silent. 

• How does my ankle look? While swelling will cause the ankle to look different from your healthy foot, if you see that it is misshapen and not at the right angle, you probably have a broken bone. 

• Where do I feel the most pain? Lightly touch the surface of your ankle. If you feel pain directly on the bone, it is most likely a break. Pain on the softer tissue around your ankle indicates a sprain. 

• Is pain easing with time and rest? Elevating a sprained ankle and keeping weight off it can alleviate pain over time. If your pain is increasing over time, it’s probably due to a break. 

Treatments to Expect

Sprains 

Most sprains are treated without surgery. Depending on the sprain’s severity, you can expect it to take 6 to 12 weeks to recover fully. 

The same three phases treat all sprains:

Phase 1 – Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). Anti-inflammatory medications will reduce pain and swelling. 

Phase 2 – Restore range of motion, increase flexibility, and strengthen the ankle using physical therapy. 

Phase 3 – Slowly reintroduce sports. 

Breaks 

A broken bone must be realigned and stabilized. Most of the time, the doctor will be able to position it correctly without surgery. A complicated fracture may require surgery that includes placing rods or screws to hold the bones in place while they heal. 

Breaks also require that you wear a cast to prevent the bones from moving and use crutches to keep weight off the healing joints for around 4 to 6 weeks. 

Bottom Line

If you suspect a broken or sprained ankle, you need to seek medical help immediately. A doctor will give you the proper diagnosis. That way, you can avoid further injury to your ankle and speed up the healing process.