Is It a Sprain or a Fracture?
How to Tell the Difference Before You Take Another Step
“Did I just sprain it…or is it broken?”
It’s a critical question. The treatment paths are vastly different, and while both injuries are painful and disruptive, “walking off” a fracture can lead to disastrous consequences, including permanent cartilage damage, chronic arthritis, or a bone that heals in a non-functional position.
At our office, we see this confusion daily. While only a high-quality X-ray can give a 100% definitive answer, there are specific warning signs that can help you distinguish a soft-tissue sprain from a bone fracture before you even get to the doctor. In this blog, Cypress Foot & Ankle Center will explain those signs…and what you should do if you spot them!
The 3 Signs It Might Be a Fracture
If you experience these symptoms, do not try to “tough it out” or assume it will get better with ice alone.
- Pinpoint Pain: This is a major clue!
- If you can press on the bony prominence of your ankle (the malleolus) or the top of your foot and find a specific spot that hurts excruciatingly, be concerned.
- Sprains usually cause a more generalized, aching pain around the joint ligaments, whereas a fracture creates a sharp, localized tenderness directly over the bone.
- Immediate Swelling: Sprains swell, but they often do so gradually over a few hours.
- A fracture often causes the area to puff up almost instantly, sometimes resembling a golf ball or tennis ball within minutes of the injury.
- This rapid swelling is often due to bleeding from the bone itself.
- Deformity and Discoloration: This is the most obvious sign.
- If your foot or ankle looks “wrong” (crooked, twisted, or out of alignment), it is almost certainly a fracture or dislocation.
- Additionally, deep purple or black bruising that appears immediately can indicate significant trauma to the bone and surrounding vessels.
The “Can I Walk On It?” Myth
Many people believe, “If I can wiggle my toes or walk on it, it’s not broken.”
This is false and dangerous.
- You can often walk on certain types of fractures, such as fibula chips, hairline fractures, or stress fractures.
- However, the ability to bear weight does not mean the bone is intact.
- Walking on an unstable fracture can cause the bone to shift (displace), turning a simple injury that could have healed in a boot into a complex trauma requiring surgery and hardware!
When in doubt, just remember:
“Ability to bear weight” is not a reliable test for a fracture!
Don’t Guess with Your Mobility
Whether it’s a severe sprain that needs a stabilizing brace or a fracture that needs strict immobilization, you need a diagnosis from a foot and ankle expert.
We’ll use advanced imaging to see exactly what happened beneath the surface…and get you on the right road to recovery.
Experiencing pain or seeking preventative care? Cypress Foot & Ankle Center offers a wide range of services to address all your foot and ankle needs. While we focus on non-surgical treatments, our team also provides advanced surgical procedures when necessary, using the latest technologies to ensure superior outcomes. Call (281) 377-4040 or contact us online!
