A “broken” ankle is a term tossed around lightly nowadays. It could mean everything from losing balance while guarding a shifty basketball opponent to the pain you feel after a sudden misstep.

But did you actually break your ankle? Or is it just a sprain? While both involve the ankle joint and can cause significant pain and swelling, we at Your Next Step are here to settle the difference.

Ankle Sprain

An ankle sprain occurs when one or more ligaments are stretched or torn, which typically happens when the ankle rolls or is beyond its normal range of motion.

If you’ve ever sprained your ankle, you’ll know it causes immediate and sharp pain, swelling, bruising, and sensitivity to weight bearing.

But how does this differ from an ankle break?

Ankle Fracture

Like a sprain, an ankle fracture involves a break in one or more bones that make up the ankle joint. This can occur due to a forceful impact, a twisting injury, or a fall.

Nearly the same symptoms occur, but you may notice deformity or an unusual appearance of the ankle. Pain is also felt more near or at the actual site of the bone.

Does a Sprain Hurt as Much as a Fracture?

Well, this is a hot discussion. In fact, there are studies that show foot fractures are often misdiagnosed as sprains. With both symptom presentations having striking similarities, it’s often hard for patients to diagnose themselves.

Pain levels can vary depending on the severity of both sprains and fractures, as a severe sprain can be just as painful as a minor fracture and vice versa. That’s why it’s important not to rely solely on pain as an indicator of the type of injury.

Prognosis

• Sprains: Most acute sprains heal within a few weeks to a few months with proper care and rehabilitation. However, severe sprains may take longer to heal and can lead to chronic ankle instability.
• Fractures: Fracture healing time varies depending on the type and severity of the fracture. Most fractures heal within 6-8 weeks, but complex fractures may require surgery and multiple months to recover.

Dr. Eric Ricefield, Dr. Mark Yagodich, Dr. Aliza V. Eisen, and Dr. Cassandra Stache are eager to cater to your foot and ankle problems. Schedule your appointment and contact us today!