You've hurt your ankle, and it's starting to swell, not to mention hurting. It could be a simple sprain or strain, but it may also be a fracture. It's hard to spot the difference between the two, so it's crucial to know the signs of each.
Fractures and sprains require medical treatment and an experienced diagnosis, which is where the Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio can help. Dr. Marque A. Allen provides a quick diagnosis and customized treatments for various ankle problems, such as sprains and fractures.
An ankle sprain occurs when the ligaments in the joint stretch or tear. It's a prevalent injury among athletes and non-athletes alike. A severe ankle sprain that doesn't heal properly leads to chronic joint instability and repeat sprains.
Different grades of sprains occur, ranging in severity from a mild grade 1 sprain to a severe grade 3 injury. A grade 1 sprain happens when the ligaments stretch beyond their standard capacity but don't tear.
Grade 2 sprains involve ligament stretching and a partial tear. The worst sprain is grade 3, where the ligament tears completely, causing severe pain and a more extended healing period.
Ankle sprains happen from trauma to the ankle. You can sprain your ankle, slide into home plate, or simply step off a curb incorrectly.
Most sprains take at least two weeks to heal, but severe sprains may take six months to mend completely. To avoid complications, getting treatment and allowing the ligaments to heal appropriately is crucial.
Ankle fractures happen when one of the bones cracks or breaks, causing instability and pain around the joint. Three bones comprise the ankle joint: the talus, tibia, and fibula. If one or more of them breaks, you have an ankle fracture.
The symptoms of an ankle fracture sometimes mimic those of a severe sprain, but there are a few differences. The signs of a broken ankle include:
Ankle fractures require a trip to the emergency room or urgent care and sometimes require surgery. Dr. Allen evaluates the severity of the injury with an X-ray and provides treatments like casting, crutches, and anti-inflammatories.
Severe fractures that don't come together with casting may require surgical repair with plates and screws. However, many factors determine the need for surgery besides the fracture.
Ankle fractures and sprains are two different injuries that share similar symptoms – so how do you know which one you have? It's challenging to differentiate between the two. Still, there are a few questions to ask yourself after an injury and they include:
One way to tell the difference between a sprain and a fracture is through the noise it makes. A broken bone often cracks, while a torn ligament sounds like a quick popping noise.
Swelling is a prevalent symptom among fractures and sprains, but a noticeable deformity means one thing – a broken bone. Depending on which bone breaks, you might notice a lump or bump around the ankle joint.
Pain happens with sprains and fractures, but where it hurts gives you a clue as to what injury occurred. Pain over the ankle bones indicates a fracture, while soft-tissue discomfort usually means a sprain.
Numbness is a key sign of a broken bone, especially when it happens with tingling. Ankle sprains usually cause pain but no numbness or tingling.
It's difficult to walk with a fracture or a severe sprain, but it's nearly impossible with a broken bone. Although painful, you can still walk even with a grade 3 sprain. A fractured bone can't hold up your weight and leads to severe pain and disability.
Call our team today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Allen for an ankle injury. We have two convenient locations in San Antonio, Texas. You can also request a consultation using our convenient online booking tool.
