Ankle Sprains vs. Ankle Fractures

When dealing with the ankle, it can be difficult to gage the severity of the damage.Ankle fractures and sprains are very different injuries, so first and foremost it is important to visit your podiatrist and get checked by a professional.If you look at the pictures below it is impossible to visually diagnose.X-rays and testing is imperative in order to make an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

Ankle Sprain Ankle Fracture

Ankle fractures and ankle sprains oftentimes have overlapping symptoms, making it difficult to distinguish what the real injury is. Both injuries can present symptoms in similar ways and the symptoms can vary.

An ankle sprain is damage to the ligament within your ankle. These injuries are categorized by the degree of severity including Grades I, II, and III. A less serious impairment would be the stretching of the ligament and can escalate to a full tear. A sprained ankle can occur when you roll or twist your ankle in an uncomfortable way, stretching and damaging the ligament.

An ankle fracture is more drastic than an ankle sprain, however if an ankle sprain is bad enough it can feel like a fracture. A fracture is when one or more bones within the ankle are broken. The three bones usually involved are the tibia (shin bone), fibula (lower leg bone), and the talus (ankle bone). This injury is classified based on what area of the bones are breaking.

It’s important to seek the help of a podiatrist with ankle injuries. When the injury first arises it may not feel severe, however it can escalate into a complex injury. Don’t let a simple twist or fall become a bigger issue and call us at GSFA! Your foot health is important to us.