Break or Sprain? Only an X-ray Can Tell for Sure

Minor injuries happen to everyone. Any regular daily activity, like walking downstairs or stepping off a curb, could lead to a problem. Your risk is significantly higher if you’re an athlete (or act like one).

But once you injure yourself, how do you know the extent of the damage? Can you treat it at home, or do you need to see a medical professional?

Sprains and fractures are among the most frequent injuries David Biss, DPM, treats at his private practice, Concord Podiatry, which has Plymouth and Concord, New Hampshire offices.

Dr. Bliss can help you determine the best course of action. He has extensive experience treating acute injuries safely and effectively.

If you suspect you have a sprain or a break, the best thing to do is come in for an X-ray to know for sure. In either case, here’s what you can expect from breaks and sprains.

What is a sprain like?

Ankle sprains are among the most common musculoskeletal injuries. Some 30,000 ankle injuries occur every day in the United States.

When you stretch or tear your ligaments — the tissues that connect your bones — that’s called a sprain. You need your ligaments to keep your body stable; when they are injured, you could lose function in that joint until it has healed.

You can get a sprain from a fall, impact injury, or twisting your joint the wrong way. In a mild sprain, the ligament is just overstretched, but in a more severe sprain, the ligament ruptures and separates from your bone.

The severity of your symptoms from a sprain depends on whether you’ve stretched or torn your ligaments, but you can expect to see the same telltale signs: swelling, bruising, and pain.

We generally treat sprains by immobilizing the area and applying the RICE treatment:

Rest
Ice
Compression
Elevation

This approach helps reduce inflammation and allows your injury to heal. In severe cases, you may need physical therapy or even surgery, but most sprains respond well to the RICE treatment.

What is a bone break like?

In many cases, it may be difficult to tell the difference between a break and a sprain. Both injuries cause swelling, bruising, and pain. That’s why it’s so important to visit a healthcare professional like Dr. Bliss to find out precisely what you’re dealing with.

Ankle fractures are common. They account for 9.3% of all fractures and are the fourth most common fracture in the elderly. Fractures in other parts of the foot are also common because the human foot has 26 bones.

A broken bone in your foot or ankle may need to be set to heal properly. The RICE method helps keep the swelling down, but ice and rest may not be enough if you have a chipped bone or offset fracture.

A splint or cast to keep the area immobile for a few weeks may be necessary. This gives your bone the best possible chance of healing completely so you retain full function.

A fracture or break can occur in any bone in your foot or ankle. Stress fractures are tiny, hairline cracks in the bone that typically occur in the foot from overuse.

How X-rays work

If Dr. Bilss suspects a bone fracture, he will X-ray the area.

When a bone is broken or fractured, the X-ray reveals the fracture and clearly rules out a sprain and other injuries. The image also gives Dr. Bliss the information for the next steps.

An X-ray is the only way to know for sure if you have a break or a sprain. When you sustain an injury that causes swelling, bruising, and pain, call Dr. Bliss immediately to get expert answers quickly and start healing soon. If you have a non-emergency situation, contact Concord Podiatry to request an appointment with Dr. Biss today. We have two convenient locations in Plymouth and Concord, New Hampshire. For an immediate appointment, call the office closest to you.