Is It a Sprain or a Fracture? How to Tell the Difference

Sprains and fractures are common injuries, especially among athletes. Both can be mild or severe and cause pain and disability. But sprains and fractures are different injuries and may require different treatments.

Knowing if you have a sprain or fracture is critical to maximize healing and avoid further problems. If you’ve been injured and develop pain, swelling, or bruising, Jason Armstrong, DPM, in Shenandoah and Humble, Texas, can diagnose your foot or ankle injury and get you on the road to recovery. In the meantime, here’s how to tell the difference between sprains and fractures, and treatments you can expect for each.

Sprains 101

Sprains are soft tissue injuries that occur when your ligaments are torn or stretched. Ligaments are tissue bands connecting bones within the body, holding muscles and bones together and ensuring effective joint stability and range of motion.

Sprains commonly occur in the ankles, wrists, knees, fingers, and thumbs. They’re one of the most common injuries (especially ankle sprains). Symptoms of sprains include:

Swelling
Pain
Discoloration
Bruising
Joint instability
Reduced range of motion
Poor ability to bear weight on the injured area

Sprains can result from a fall, rolled ankle, twisted knee, overtraining, or repetitive strain. Having a physically demanding job and playing sports are also risk factors.

Fracture basics

Fractures are breaks or cracks in a bone, rather than soft tissues. They affect millions of people each year. Symptoms of fractures are similar to sprains and include:

Swelling
Tenderness
Pain
Instability
Discoloration
Bruising
Visible musculoskeletal deformity

Fractures may develop because of a car accident, playing sports, osteoporosis, trauma, work-related injuries, repetitive strain/overuse, falls, or colliding into something. It’s possible to fracture a bone and sprain a ligament at the same time.

Diagnosing sprains vs. fractures

Dr. Armstrong determines if you have a sprain or fracture by evaluating the injured area of your body, discussing your medical history and symptoms, and viewing the results of imaging tests, such as X-rays, MRIs, ultrasounds, CT scans, or bone scans.

Imaging helps distinguish between sprains and fractures, confirm your diagnosis, and establish an effective treatment.

Treating sprains and fractures

The treatments for sprains and fractures are often similar and may include:

Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE)
Casting
Bracing
Splinting
Taping
Walking boot
Crutches
Physical therapy
Medications
Immobilization
Surgery

You might need more than one type of treatment to ensure effective healing. Dr. Armstrong tailors sprain and fracture treatments based on the severity of the injury, your lifestyle, and your treatment preferences. He follows up to ensure pain relief and effective healing.

Schedule a foot or ankle injury evaluation with Jason Armstrong, DPM, to determine if you have a sprain, fracture, or both. Simply contact us today by phone or request an appointment online.