{"id":1514,"date":"2026-08-20T17:57:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T21:57:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aedcpr.com\/articles\/?p=1514"},"modified":"2026-08-20T18:04:43","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T22:04:43","slug":"sprained-vs-broken-ankle-how-to-tell-the-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aedcpr.com\/articles\/sprained-vs-broken-ankle-how-to-tell-the-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"Sprained vs Broken Ankle: How to Tell the Difference"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>TL;DR<\/strong><br>Rolled your ankle and not sure if it&#8217;s just a sprain or a fracture? While both injuries can cause pain, swelling, and bruising, a broken ankle often causes more severe pain, difficulty bearing weight, or a visible deformity. Learn the warning signs, when to use the RICE method, when an X-ray may be needed, and when it&#8217;s time to head to the emergency room so you can get the right treatment and recover safely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>An ankle injury can happen quickly and unexpectedly. It can happen whether it&#8217;s from playing sports, slipping on slick surfaces, falling from a height, or event just missing a step. When it does happen, your ankle can become painful or swollen after a while. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the first questions people often have is whether the ankle is <strong>sprained or broken<\/strong>. Unfortunately, both sprains and broken ankles can have many similar symptoms. Contrary to popular belief, breaks are not always more painful than sprains. In fact, people may feel that they can walk on a broken ankle if the break is minor, while a severe sprain may be debilitatingly painful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Understanding the signs can help you decide what to do next, but the only reliable way to rule out a fracture may be a medical examination and imaging such as an X-ray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is an Ankle Sprain?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A <strong>sprain is an injury to a ligament<\/strong>. Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that connect bones to one another and help keep a joint stable. There are 11 main ligaments in the ankle, although some are more likely to be sprained than others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An ankle sprain usually occurs when the foot twists or rolls, stretching the ligaments further than is safe. In a sprained ankle, the ligament is overstretched and may be partially or completely torn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sprains range in severity:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mild sprain (Grade 1):<\/strong> The ligament is stretched but remains largely intact. Bearing wait is painful.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Moderate sprain (Grade 2):<\/strong> The ligament is partially torn, causing greater swelling and pain. Bearing wait is very difficult. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Severe sprain (Grade 3):<\/strong> One or more ligaments may be completely torn, making the ankle unstable and sometimes impossible to bear weight on.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>A sprain can require medical attention, even there are no broken bones. This is especially true of moderate to severe sprains in which the ligament is torn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is a Broken Ankle?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A <strong>broken ankle, or ankle fracture, occurs when one or more bones around the ankle joint crack or break<\/strong>. The ankle itself is made up of three bones:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tibia: the shinbone<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fibula: the calf bone<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Talus: top of the foot bone<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Fractures can range from a small hairline crack to a severe injury in which the bones move out of their normal position. In serious cases, a broken bone may also damage nearby tissues or break through the skin in what is known as a compound fracture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both fractures and sprains can happen after a twisting injury or fall, so it&#8217;s difficult to tell whether an injured ankle is broken or sprained just from what caused the injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Symptoms of a Sprained Ankle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Common symptoms of an ankle sprain include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Pain, especially when moving or putting weight on the ankle<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Swelling around the joint<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bruising or discoloration<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tenderness around the injured ligaments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduced range of motion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Difficulty walking<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A feeling that the ankle is weak or unstable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Some people report feeling or hearing a <strong>pop<\/strong> at the time of the injury. However, a popping sensation does not necessarily mean that a bone has broken. Ligament injuries can also cause this sensation when the ligament itself moves over bone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Symptoms of a Broken Ankle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A fracture can cause many of the same symptoms as a sprain. Signs that may raise greater concern for a broken bone include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Severe pain immediately after the injury<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Significant swelling or bruising<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Very specific tenderness directly over a bone<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Inability to put weight on the injured foot<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An ankle that appears bent, crooked, or otherwise deformed<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pain that remains severe even while resting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A grinding sensation during the injury (indicating possible bone-on-bone contact<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bone visible through an open wound (compound fracture) <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>As noted earlier, <strong>being able to walk does not rule out a fracture<\/strong>. The pain can vary greatly in a fracture depending on how deep the fracture is and what bones are involved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When there is uncertainty, it is safest to have the injury evaluated by a professional. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Should You Do After an Ankle Injury?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Immediately after an ankle injury, stop whatever activity you were engaged in, and avoid all unnecessary walking. Remember the acronym &#8220;<strong>RICE<\/strong>.&#8221; It stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a suspected minor sprain, focus on controlling swelling and protecting the joint. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Protect the ankle:<\/strong> Avoid any activities that could increase pain or could cause another injury.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rest from strenuous activity<\/strong>: Do not try to \u201cwalk it off\u201d if walking is painful. This can worsen the injury.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Apply ice<\/strong>: Place a cold pack wrapped in a thin cloth on the ankle for about 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Do not place ice directly against the skin. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Use compression:<\/strong> An elastic bandage may help control swelling. It should be snug but not tight enough to cause numbness, tingling, or color changes in the toes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Elevate the ankle<\/strong>: When possible, raise it above the level of the heart to reduce swelling.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Over-the-counter pain medication may also be appropriate for some people when taken according to the label directions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Are Sprains and Broken Ankles Treated?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Treatment depends on the severity of the injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A mild or moderate sprain may improve with protection, gradual return to movement, and exercises that restore strength, flexibility, and balance. More serious sprains may require more involved treatment such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A brace or walking boot to keep the ligament from flexing as it heals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Physical therapy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In <strong>rare<\/strong> cases, surgery if the joint is unstable. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>A broken ankle requires medical evaluation. Treatment may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A <a href=\"https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/treatments\/25252-splint\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">splint<\/a>, cast, or walking boot<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Crutches or instructions to avoid putting weight on the ankle<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Follow-up X-rays<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rehabilitation exercises or physical therapy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Surgery for fractures that are displaced, unstable, or otherwise severe<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Do not attempt to straighten an ankle that appears deformed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When Should You Seek Emergency Care?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Some ankle injuries require immediate medical attention. <strong>Call 911 or seek emergency care<\/strong> if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Bone is sticking through the skin (compound fracture). <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The ankle or foot is severely deformed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There is heavy bleeding.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The foot becomes pale, blue, unusually cold, or numb.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You cannot feel or move the toes normally after the injury.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The injury resulted from significant trauma, such as a serious fall or vehicle collision.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You should also seek prompt medical evaluation if you cannot bear weight, have severe swelling or pain, have significant tenderness directly over a bone, or your symptoms are not improving as expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When in Doubt, Get It Checked<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It is not always possible to distinguish a sprained ankle from a broken ankle by appearance or pain level alone. Both injuries can cause swelling, bruising, tenderness, and difficulty walking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the injury is severe, walking is difficult or impossible, the ankle looks abnormal, or you are uncertain about the extent of the damage, have it professionally evaluated. Treating an ankle injury correctly from the beginning can help prevent prolonged pain, instability, and other complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Injuries can happen at any time. Take a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aedcpr.com\/online-first-aid-training-class.php\">First Aid course<\/a> to be better prepared for injuries and know how to respond in an emergency.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>TL;DRRolled your ankle and not sure if it&#8217;s just a sprain or a fracture? While both injuries can cause pain, swelling, and bruising, a broken ankle often causes more severe pain, difficulty bearing weight, or a visible deformity. Learn the warning signs, when to use the RICE method, when an X-ray may be needed, and &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aedcpr.com\/articles\/sprained-vs-broken-ankle-how-to-tell-the-difference\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Sprained vs Broken Ankle: How to Tell the Difference&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1522,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1514","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-training"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Sprained vs. Broken Ankle: How to Tell the Difference &amp; When to Seek Care<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Think you injured your ankle? 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Mike was raised in New York, where at a young age he became an instructor for the American Red Cross, the National Safety Council, the American Safety Health Institute (ASHI), and the American Heart Association (AHA). He then earned a BS in Mathematics and trained to become a paramedic. In 1995, Mike began teaching emergency medical and continuing education classes at hospitals, schools, and other institutions. He has taught at Molloy College, New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital to name a few. In 1999, Mike founded the American AED CPR Association (AEDCPR), an organization specializing in emergency cardiac care training. Under his leadership, AEDCPR has expanded throughout the United States, and internationally into Europe, Asia, and Africa. Through their network of instructors and innovative website, they have trained over a million people in CPR, AED, First Aid, and Bloodborne Pathogens . Mike helped develop one of the first online learning platforms for the NYS department of labor. He continues to develop new and innovative online tools. This is why the American AED CPR Association has been recognized as a leader in both online and blended classroom training. After years of teaching and performing emergency medical procedures, it was Mike who needed CPR. After an accident racing offshore powerboats, Mike was saved by a team of well-trained rescuers with only seconds to spare. 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Mike was raised in New York, where at a young age he became an instructor for the American Red Cross, the National Safety Council, the American Safety Health Institute (ASHI), and the American Heart Association (AHA). He then earned a BS in Mathematics and trained to become a paramedic. In 1995, Mike began teaching emergency medical and continuing education classes at hospitals, schools, and other institutions. He has taught at Molloy College, New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital to name a few. In 1999, Mike founded the American AED CPR Association (AEDCPR), an organization specializing in emergency cardiac care training. Under his leadership, AEDCPR has expanded throughout the United States, and internationally into Europe, Asia, and Africa. Through their network of instructors and innovative website, they have trained over a million people in CPR, AED, First Aid, and Bloodborne Pathogens . Mike helped develop one of the first online learning platforms for the NYS department of labor. He continues to develop new and innovative online tools. This is why the American AED CPR Association has been recognized as a leader in both online and blended classroom training. After years of teaching and performing emergency medical procedures, it was Mike who needed CPR. After an accident racing offshore powerboats, Mike was saved by a team of well-trained rescuers with only seconds to spare. 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