Does a broken ankle hurt lots worse than a sprained one?
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Not typically. Your nervous system is going to fire on maximum whether it's a broken or badly sprained ankle.
One hint is how well you can wiggle your toes. If you're having shooting pain when trying to wiggle, or are barely able to wiggle them at all, you probably have a broken bone.
But that's just a hint. You simply won't know for sure unless you have an X-Ray performed.
Not necessarily. A very bad sprain with ligamentous laxity medial (inner) and lateral (A grade 4 sprain) is very serious and may take longer than 6 weeks to heal. Ottowa criteria for an ankle fracture include inability to weight bear. Many people can not tell if their ankle is broken (a very bad break--yes) but a more minor--often not.
Sometimes it can be hard. I have sprained my right ankle 4 times. The most recent, a little over a month ago.
One time I sprained it and thought it was broken. Going down stairs w/ my bike, (holding it, not riding it! LOL) and I missed the bottom step completely! Stepped right over it, and stepped on my foot, it went sideways and I heard a pop. I swear i broke it. I had to go up the stairs backwards on my butt!
Anywho, had an x-ray and it was not broken. I think that was a better sprain than the one I just got. (Which, btw, I have NO IDEA how i got it...it just started hurting one night, and just got worse)
So, after having never broken a bone, I don't know! :) I would think both a sprain and break would swell.
best way to tell is to get an x-ray!
try smash your good ankle in a hydraulic press so you can feel the difference.
Sometimes a break can only be diagnosed with an x ray. Breaks can be more serious than a sprain. A sprain that requires surgery can be more serious than a simple break. If it is your ankle why not see your doctor?
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