An awkward step when going for a run, playing sports, or taking a walk can be all it takes to hurt yourself. When you hear a crack or popping sound in your foot and ankle, followed by swelling and pain, it means you have an injury that needs to be treated.
It’s not always possible to tell immediately if you sprained or fractured your foot, but differentiating is essential to ensure you get the correct treatment at Podiatry Hotline Foot & Ankle, in Mission Viejo, California. Find out from double board-certified podiatrist Thomas Rambacher, DPM, FACFAS, FAPWCA, the difference between a sprained and broken foot and what care each injury needs.
A foot or ankle sprain damages ligaments or tissues. Sprains mean the ligaments are overly stretched or torn, causing the ankle or foot to lose stability.
A fracture means you’ve broken a bone in your ankle or foot. Sprains and fractures can vary in severity, but generally, a fracture is a more severe injury than a sprain and requires prompt medical treatment.
You probably won’t be able to tell right away if your foot injury is a sprain or break. However, these indicators can give you an idea of the severity of the problem.
Hearing the noise your foot or ankle makes when the injury occurs can be a clue as to the nature of the injury. You can often hear a bone crack when there’s a break or fracture, while a sprain can make a popping sound or not make any noise.
Sprains and fractures can both cause pain, swelling, tenderness, and bruising in the area of injury. When you’ve broken your foot or ankle, the symptoms tend to be more severe and last longer.
Fractures can also cause tingling and numbness, which aren’t usually symptoms of a sprain.
If your foot appears misshapen, or you can see bone protruding out of your foot, you have a serious fracture that needs immediate emergency care. Spains and less serious fractures don’t change the way your foot looks.
The only definitive way to tell if your foot is broken or sprained is to get an X-ray at Podiatry Hotline Foot & Ankle. At your appointment, Dr. Rambacher will perform a medical history and examination of the injury.
He then X-rays the area to see if a break or sprain has occurred. In some instances, he also orders an MRI or ultrasound.
The treatment for foot and ankle breaks and sprains depends on the location and severity of the injury. Most injuries heal with conservative care.
Your treatment plan can include:
More severe fractures and sprains that have caused significant ligament damage can also require surgery. Generally speaking, ankle sprains take up to several weeks to heal, while fractures can take a few to several months.
If you’ve had any type of foot injury, an immediate appointment ensures you get the correct treatment right away and avoid any worse, potentially permanent damage. Contact us for an urgent appointment if you’ve injured your foot or ankle.
