5 Signs An Ankle Sprain May Actually Be A Fracture

An ankle sprain occurs when you move your ankle in a way that stretches or tears one or more of the ligaments that hold it together. Most ankle sprains involve injuries to the syndesmotic ligaments, which connect the lower ends of the tibia and fibula (shin bones) to each other and to the top of the talus (ankle bone).

On the other hand, fractures range from tiny cracks in your bones to breaks that pierce your skin, with no signs of injury. These split-second fractures are often the results of weak bone tissues and lack of muscle tone, but not always — there are a number of reasons why you might suffer from heel pain or broken bones without any blow or fall.

Here are 5 indicators that an ankle sprain may actually be a fracture.

Inability to place weight on your foot

Ligaments are active in supporting the ankle while it moves, and they play a particularly important role in preventing over-rotation. Most people with an ankle sprain can still walk or place weight on their foot without significant pain. There are always outliers, but the pain level with a fracture is going to be much higher.

Pain directly to the bone

Ankle injuries are very common, as the ankle is one of the most easily injured parts of the body. The ankle joint is where the tibia, fibula, and talus (ankle bone) meet. Joint injuries can cause pain on the outside edges of those bones because that's where the ligaments attach. Fractures have pain in a much larger area than just around the edges of those bones because they'll also hurt nearby tendons and muscles.

Pressing along the ankle bone will not necessarily result in pain if there is a sprain. Check the fifth metatarsal bone, which is located on the outside of the foot and may be fractured during an ankle sprain.

Persistent pain

Ankle sprains and fractures are both likely to cause pain and will require treatment to reduce the level of pain you're experiencing. With rest, ice, and compression, most ankle sprains significantly decrease pain after the first week, this is known as the RICE method. If your pain continues beyond that point, there is a higher likelihood that more extensive injuries are present.

Visible protrusion of the bone

When you sprain or fracture a bone, your foot swells due to the release of histamine and pro-inflammatory agents. But that's normal, and it should go away in a few hours or days. In less common cases, your bone will separate into two pieces that aren't structurally stable — this is called a displaced fracture. A displaced fracture causes your bones to protrude out of their sockets.

Bruising extending higher up the leg

Similar to swelling, bruising accompanies almost every ankle sprain and fracture. Ligaments tend to be located at the tips of the bones in the ankle. Because of this, any bruising will be located around the tips of those bones. Bones are very vascular, meaning they have a lot of blood flow, which results in more bruising.

Bruising, swelling, and pain are three symptoms of a standard ankle sprain. Bruising is caused by the rupturing of blood vessels and capillaries in the soft tissue of the joint and surrounding area - it can be seen as a black-and-blue mark on the skin. Swelling occurs when fluid accumulates within the injured region - it can be seen as puffiness of the soft tissue.

When a fracture occurs higher up the leg, the resulting bruising can be seen extending higher up the ankle.

A variety of factors can impact the severity of an ankle sprain or break. Any injury can be excruciating, and it's important to obtain immediate guidance from a trusted medical professional. A podiatrist can help you with proper diagnosis, treatment, and recovery from severe ankle injuries — all while supporting your individualised health needsI f you would like to have a professional examination of your feet, don’t hesitate to book an appointment with us.

*This blog contains general information about medical conditions and is not advice. You must not rely upon the information in this blog as medical advice. Medical advice should always be sought from an appropriately qualified podiatrist such as ourselves.