The Difference Between An Ankle Sprain And An Ankle Fracture

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When you hurt your ankle, it may be difficult to tell if you've sprained it or fractured it. Sprains occur when ligaments are stretched, whereas fractures occur when bones are cracked or broken. In case you injured your ankle. Using the RICE method - REST your ankle, apply ice, compress it with an Ace wrap, and ELEVATE it - is the best way to start. After a few days, if you still have pain or difficulty putting weight on your foot, it’s time to see a podiatrist.

At All-In-One Foot Care, we are specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of foot and ankle injuries. X-rays and our clinical expertise help us determine whether you've fractured a bone or torn a ligament and whether surgery is necessary.

Treatment for ankle sprains

It will be difficult to walk on a sprained ankle or a fractured ankle bone because both are black and blue around the ankle bones. Fractures usually occur when you cannot put any weight on them. If the ankle is sprained then the treatment plan is to RICE, as described above, and consider the aid of a Cam Walker. A cam walker looks like a ski boot that will immobilize your ankle and help with the healing. Also, your doctor may decide to wrap the foot and ankle in a specialized way to promote better healing and get you back to your daily activity a lot faster.

Treatment for ankle fractures

An ankle sprain usually heals in 4-6 weeks with a cast. Surgical intervention is required if the ankle is fractured. Early treatment can reduce your healing time, so be sure to see your doctor as soon as possible.

Don't push yourself too hard

Remember never to push an ankle that hurts! You should see a doctor if your body is communicating with you. Our goal is to keep you active for the long term, not just for a short period of time. You should not ignore your body's communication and push through the pain because that may lead to long-term ankle joint disability and arthritis. Often, ankle sprains cause pain for months after the injury, and swelling may last for months or even years.

You can contact our office at 949-588-8833 , or visit our website at https://www.ocfootdoctor.com/ Our offices are in Laguna Hills, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest, Foothill Ranch, and Costa Mesa.