Fractures Versus Sprains: Everything You Need to Know

You’re not sure if you broke or sprained your ankle — all you know is it really hurts.

It’s important to get medical attention as soon as possible if you find yourself in this situation. Prompt treatment helps you recover more quickly, but your treatment will vary depending on what injury you have.

Here at Full Orthopedics Urgent Care in North Miami Beach, Florida, we specialize in orthopedic urgent care, and we can diagnose and treat both fractures and sprains. Here’s what you need to know about both.

What’s the difference between fractures and sprains?

 A sprain occurs when you stretch or tear the ligaments around a joint. Sprains range from Grade 1 (microscopic tears in your ligament) to Grade 2 (a more severe sprain but incomplete tear) to Grade 3 ( a complete tear of your ligament).

A fracture is when your bone actually breaks. These breaks can include hairline fractures (small cracks), partial breaks (larger cracks), or complete fractures (when your bone breaks into two or more pieces). A simple fracture means your bone hasn’t broken your skin, while in a compound fracture, your bone does break through your skin. 

What are the symptoms of fractures and sprains?

While both fractures and sprains can be very painful, there are a few clues to help you determine which one you’re suffering from:

• Both injuries cause swelling, but if there’s a noticeable deformity, it’s probably a break
• If your pain is in the softer tissue around your joint, it’s probably a sprain
• If your pain comes from your bone or pressure on your bone, it’s probably a break
• If you hear a crack when the injury occurs, it’s likely a break
• Both fractures and sprains cause pain, but a fracture may also cause numbness and tingling

What treatment will you need?

You’ll need to visit your doctor to determine exactly what your injury is and what treatment you need.

 In general, sprains heal on their own over time, but you can help the healing process with RICE: rest, ice, compression (with an elastic bandage), and elevation (raising the joint above the level of your heart). Anti-inflammatory medications may also help.

You’ll likely need an X-ray to determine if you have a fracture. A fracture can be treated by realigning your bone if needed and immobilizing the area with a cast. You can help the healing process by avoiding putting pressure on the bone; pain relievers may help also. Occasionally, surgery is necessary to heal your fracture.

If you find yourself in a situation where you’re injured with a possible sprain or fracture, our team at Full Orthopedics Urgent Care is standing by to provide quality care. You can walk into our office anytime we’re open, or if you need to schedule an appointment ahead of time, you can call us at 305-343-1365 or use our convenient online scheduler.