Ankle injuries are one of the most common injuries in sports and everyday activities, however it can be difficult to tell if you have a sprain or broken ankle. The quick answer is the difference between a sprain and broken ankle is the presence of a fracture, chip or crack in the bones. This fracture in the ankle can be seen with the use of an x-ray. To learn more about the foot and ankle, please read this ARTICLE.
sprain or broken ankle
A broken ankle involves fracturing one of the bones that makes up the joint.
These bones include:
Fractures typically occur as a result of:
Image of Ankle Anatomy Examination by a Physician
In order to make an a proper diagnosis between a sprained or broken ankle. First, an exam with a physician is needed. Next, The physician will do a physical exam on the injured ankle as well as examining the x-rays. The physical exam will determine the amount of laxity of the ligaments of the ankle. Sometimes other diagnostic tests are needed to assist in the diagnosis of the injury.
A sprain of the ankle involves the ligaments. They are located in the lateral or medial aspects of the ankle joint. A lateral ankle sprain is more common and the severity is measured by three grades. A mild sprain or first degree, a moderate sprain or second degree and a severe sprain or third degree. The amount of laxity determines the grade of the sprain. A severely sprained ankle and fractured ankle symptoms can be similar.
Sprained Ankle Illustration
A sprained ankle involves stretching or tearing one or more of the ligaments surrounding the ankle joint. The ligaments of the ankle attach bone to bone and provide stability. The severity of the sprain will lead to different treatment paths.
It should be noted that you should not try to ambulate or walk on either a suspected broken or badly sprained ankle. You should use the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) technique and seek out a medical orthopedic evaluation.
The key to knowing which injury you have is to get evaluated by a physician. The physician may use an x-ray or other diagnostic test to differentiate between a broken or sprained ankle.
If you want to learn more about ankle sprains, please watch this Ankle Sprain Video.
A broken or fractured ankle requires medical attention for diagnosis and treatment. The Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute has board certified orthopedic physicians who can help.
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When treating patients for ankle pain, JOI Rehab clinicians will commonly focus on range-of-motion with active and passive mobility exercises. Another form of therapy is strength training. This will help with stability of the ankle. Balance position sense is another key factor in treating ankle pain and preventing patients from losing their sense of balance due to ankle injuries. Different pairs of shoes may also help with healing ankle pains.
