Is my ankle sprained or fractured?
But if you have numbness or tingling, your ankle is most likely broken. Where is the pain? If your ankle hurts or is tender to the touch directly over your ankle bone, you probably have a fracture. If the pain is in the soft part of your ankle, it’s more likely a sprain.
Can I fracture my ankle and not know?
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.
Which is more painful sprain or fracture?
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.
Can a fractured ankle heal on its own?
Although minor fractures can heal on their own, more serious fractures will require surgery. If you’ve experienced a fracture in your foot and/or ankle, you’ll need to be treated by an orthopaedic surgeon who has knowledge of the intricate workings of the bones, tendons, ligaments and muscles of the foot and ankle.
Do you need a cast for a fractured ankle?
A broken bone must be immobilized so that it can heal. In most cases, this requires a special boot or a cast.
Can you wiggle toes with 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.
Should I get my ankle checked out?
Seek immediate medical attention if you: 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.
Does a fractured ankle bruise?
Similar to swelling, bruising accompanies almost every ankle sprain and fracture. Ligaments tend to be located at the tips of the bones in the ankle. Because of this, any bruising will be located around the tips of those bones.
When should I get a sprained ankle checked?
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.
How do you tell the difference between a sprain and a fracture?
However, the difference is pretty simple — a fracture is a break in your bone, while a sprain is a soft tissue injury….Sprains can be mild or severe, and have a variety of symptoms including:
- Pain.
- Swelling.
- Bruising.
- Trouble moving the injured area.
- Popping sound or sensation around a joint.