Most ankle injuries result in pain, swelling, and immobility. Based on these symptoms, you could be suffering from an ankle sprain or a broken ankle, but which is it? Differentiating between ankle sprains and broken ankles can be difficult, but we're here to guide you in understanding the key differences.
Ankle Sprain vs. Broken Ankle
An ankle sprain is an injury affecting the ligaments in your ankle joint. Your ligaments are the tissue and muscles that connect your bones, helping provide structure and stability. An ankle sprain occurs when these ligaments are stretched or torn beyond their flexibility, contributing to pain and swelling.
Alternatively, a broken ankle is an injury that affects the tibia, fibula, or talus bones in your ankle joint. These bones can fracture or break due to blunt force, resulting in intense pain and swelling.
When trying to identify whether your ankle injury is a sprain or a fracture, consider these differentiating signs:
- Sound during Injury: While most sprains happen silently, they can sometimes be associated with a popping noise. Alternatively, a broken bone is usually associated with a cracking sound.
- Weight-Bearing Ability: When suffering from an ankle sprain, depending on the severity, you may be able to bear some weight on your injured ankle. Contrastingly, bearing any weight on a broken ankle will seem impossible as it will result in immense pain.
- Pain Severity: Pain will be most severe with a broken ankle, often worsening over time. So if your pain is only causing moderate discomfort that isn’t progressing, you likely have sustained a sprained ankle.
- Ankle Deformities: When you break your ankle, the bones usually move out of place, contributing to visualized ankle deformities. If you notice your ankle looking deformed, it is likely a break.
- Numbness: Experiencing numbness after your injury can often indicate a broken ankle. This is because the broken bones may have disrupted surrounding nerves or blood vessels.
- Timing of Swelling/Bruising: While swelling and bruising are associated with both a sprain and broken ankle, the timing of this swelling and bruising is the identifying factor. Broken ankles typically result in immediate swelling and bruising, while swelling and bruising for an ankle sprain may take several hours to days to develop.
Although there are a few slight differences in the symptoms, it may be difficult to make an accurate diagnosis without an X-ray and a physical exam by an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in foot and ankle injuries. A misdiagnosis and the wrong treatment can lead to further complications down the road.
So, whether you have suffered from a sprain or broken ankle, seek medical attention immediately. Reach out to Dr. Bryant Ho, an expert foot and ankle surgeon dedicated to helping restore function and relieve pain in your injured ankle today!
Dr. Bryant S. Ho is board-certified in orthopedic surgery and is trained in the operative and non-operative management of adolescent and adult foot and ankle disorders. Dr. Ho places a strong emphasis on customizing his care for each patient to ensure successful outcomes. He provides all treatment options, including preventative care, conservative management, and operative intervention.
