With a sprain, you feel pain. But if you have numbness or tingling,
your ankle is most likely broken
. Where is the pain? If your ankle hurts or is tender to the touch directly over your ankle bone, you probably have a fracture.
Can you break your ankle by rolling it?
Foot and ankle bones
A fall or blow to your ankle can break one or more of the three bones in your ankle joint — the fibula, the tibia and the talus. Rolling your ankle can cause a break in the
knobby bumps at the end of the tibia and fibula
. A broken or fractured ankle is an injury to the bone.
Can a rolled ankle be broken?
Foot and ankle bones
A fall or blow to your ankle can break one or more of the three bones in your ankle joint — the fibula, the tibia and the talus. Rolling your ankle can cause a break in the
knobby bumps at the end of the tibia and fibula
. A broken or fractured ankle is an injury to the bone.
Does a rolled ankle ever heal?
Most ankle sprains will heal with standard RICE therapy (rest, ice, compression and elevation)
within two to 12 weeks
. But for the patients with sprains that do not heal over time with standard therapy, both the cause and next steps for treatment can be unclear.
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.
How does a twisted ankle feel?
With most sprains, you feel
pain right away at the site of the tear
. Often the ankle starts to swell immediately and may bruise. The ankle area is usually tender to touch, and it hurts to move it. In more severe sprains, you may hear and/or feel something tear, along with a pop or snap.
How do you tell the difference between a sprained ankle and a twisted ankle?
A sprained ankle is similar to a twisted ankle but to a greater degree. When you sprain your ankle, it means you
have stretched
, and possibly even torn, the ligaments of your ankle. If your ankle is swollen, bruised and painful after you twist it, then you have most likely sprained it.
Why did I hear a pop when I rolled my ankle?
A “popping” sound is very common to hear at the moment when you
sprains your ankle
. A “cracking” noise means it’s most likely a fractured bone. Swelling can be normal for this type of injury, but if your ankle appears deformed or crooked at the same time, it’s most likely a fracture. Numbness also indicates a fracture.
How do you tell the difference between a sprain and a fracture?
To give a shorthand answer of whether your injury is a sprain or fracture,
sprains occur in ligaments and are usually joint related
. A fracture deals with damage done to the bone.
Can walking on a rolled ankle make it worse?
Yes
. That’s the very short answer. According to the National Association of Athletic Trainers, ankle injuries, including sprains, are very often undertreated. Ignoring treatment, including excessive movement of the ankle through unnecessary walking, leads to a greater risk of worsening the injury.
How long does a rolled ankle take to heal?
Mild, low-grade ankle sprains will usually heal in
one to three weeks
with proper rest and non-surgical care( such as applying ice). Moderate injuries may take between three and four weeks. Because of limited blood flow to the ligaments of the ankle, more severe injuries may take between three and six months to heal.
Is it OK to walk on a sprained ankle?
Do not walk on a sprained ankle
. The inflamed tissue needs time to heal, and walking on it too soon may cause more damage. Ankle sprains are common musculoskeletal injuries that can occur from playing sports or from everyday activities.
Can you wiggle your toes with a sprain?
As you can see, the symptoms for a sprained ankle are like those of a broken ankle, but
don’t include the inability to move the toes
or deformities.
How long should you stay off a broken ankle?
It takes
around six to 10 weeks
to recover from a broken ankle. During this time, you will probably need to wear a cast or boot. Most people are able to walk normally again and resume their daily activities by around three months.
How long will my ankle be swollen after fracture?
The ligaments are then often torn too, and cartilage may be damaged. The foot and ankle become swollen, painful and can no longer hold any weight. It takes
several days or weeks for
the swelling to go down completely, and can take months for the ankle joint to fully recover from the fracture.
Should I go to ER for sprained ankle?
Go to urgent care if your pain level and swelling is significant and you have difficulty walking, to the point that you need assistance, due to the pain. Go to the
emergency room
if your foot is bruised, deformed, or you are unable to walk at all. You may have a fracture, broken bone or serious ligament damage.
