How long does it take for a fractured ankle to heal?
It takes at least 6 weeks for the broken bones to heal. It may take longer for the involved ligaments and tendons to heal. As mentioned above, your doctor will most likely monitor the bone healing with repeated x-rays. This is typically done more often during the first 6 weeks if surgery is not chosen.
Can you treat a broken ankle at home?
With a closed fracture, you should perform some basic first aid as part of your home care for foot fractures. In these cases, this means immobilizing the injury, using ice and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications to control swelling and relieve pain, and elevating the limb.
Does a sprain hurt more than a fracture?
Sprains can be extremely painful, and are easy to confuse as a break. Many times, they are more painful than a fracture, which has been confirmed by science. However, the symptoms of a sprain are usually: Pain around the injury area.
Can you wiggle your toes with a broken ankle?
Most believe that if they can wiggle their toes or move the ankle around that an ankle fracture has not occurred. The reason this is not true is because the nerves and muscles that allow the movement of the ankle have not been affected by the fracture.
Can you walk on a hairline fracture?
Although one can walk on a foot with a stress fracture, these tiny hairline breaks should not be ignored as they can return unless properly treated.
How do you know if ankle injury is serious?
People with a more severe ankle sprain — characterized by extreme bruising or swelling and an inability to bear weight on the foot without significant pain, or when there doesn’t seem to be any improvement over the first several days after the injury — should seek medical attention, Drs. SooHoo and Williams say.
How can you tell the difference between a sprain and a fracture?
However, the difference is pretty simple — a fracture is a break in your bone, while a sprain is a soft tissue injury. Sprains happen when the ligaments around your joint either stretch too far or tear. This can happen for a number of reasons, such as a fall or a sports injury.
How do you know if its a sprain or a break?
If you can walk with soreness, it is unlikely that it is broken. Is there significant swelling? If the injured area experiences immediate and severe swelling, that could be a sign of a broken bone or fracture. However, if the swelling is mild and develops gradually, it is likely a sprain or strain.
Do Broken ankles swell?
When severe fractures occur, blistering of the skin is not uncommon. The blisters emanate from excessive swelling in the soft tissues following a severe fracture. Sometimes the ankle is dislocated with this amount of swelling. Immediate medical attention is required in these circumstances to reduce the ankle.