Sprains and fractures are both devastating injuries, especially if you're active or they cause you to miss out on work. Both injuries have similar symptoms, even though they affect different body parts.
Although some symptoms are the same, knowing the difference between a fracture and a sprain is essential. Fractures involve the bones and typically require specialized treatments to prevent complications.
You also need treatment for a moderate-to-severe sprain, which is why the Spine and Orthopedic Center of New Mexico team offers fast and efficient care at our urgent care facility in Roswell, New Mexico.
Dr. Omar Osmani is our orthopedic specialist, offering fracture care and sprain treatments along with our podiatrist, Dr. David Ball. We provide a quick diagnosis and customized treatments when you've suffered an injury.
A sprain is an injury that involves your ligaments. They’re usually traumatic injuries that occur in the ankles, wrists, and knees.
Ligaments are the structures that attach bones to other bones and are responsible for holding the muscles and bones in place. When you sprain a ligament, it either stretches beyond its average capacity or tears partially or entirely.
There are different grades of sprains ranging from mild to severe. A grade 1 sprain is the most favorable type, where the tendons stretch past normal. In contrast, grade 3 sprains are severe and involve the tendon completely tearing.
Sprains are common injuries during sports, overuse, or slips and falls. The symptoms of a sprain vary, depending on the severity of the injury. Common sprain symptoms include:
A sprain also causes a decreased range of motion around the injury, and you may have trouble putting weight on a sprained ankle or knee.
Fractures, or broken bones, are injuries where a bone breaks or cracks. There are varying levels of fractures that affect just about any bone in the body.
Adult bones are rigid but can bend or break when something applies enough force. Many fractures happen due to blunt force trauma from a fall, car accident, or a sports injury.
Osteoporosis can lead to fractures. Osteoporosis happens when you lose bone density and your bones become brittle. With osteoporosis, you could experience a fracture due to a simple sneeze or step off of a curb.
Overuse and repetitive motions can cause stress fractures, especially in the feet of runners and athletes.
Different types of fractures exist, including stable fractures, where the bones are barely out of alignment. In contrast, compound fractures occur when the bone breaks through the skin.
Most fractures cause significant pain, although it's not the only sign of a broken bone. Other common symptoms of a fracture include:
The symptoms of a fracture are very similar to those of a sprain, even though one affects bones and the other affects ligaments.
It's easy to mistake a fracture for a sprain and vice versa, but it's essential to determine which one you have for the proper treatment.
An ankle sprain can mimic a fracture because of the swelling, tenderness, and pain related to the injury. However, there are a few ways to determine if you have a fracture or sprain anywhere in your body. If you're unsure of the injury, think about the following:
If you said yes to any of the above symptoms, you may be dealing with a broken bone. A sprain can happen silently, although you may hear or feel a “pop” of the ligament rupture instead of the “crack” of a fracture. Sprains don’t typically include tingling or numbness.
Swelling is present in both sprains and fractures. Still, it's more likely to have a significant deformity with a broken bone. Pain in the soft tissues around a bone may indicate a sprain. In contrast, tenderness over the bone usually signals a fracture.
If you're still unsure whether you have a fracture or sprain, it's a good idea to come into our urgent care for a quick evaluation, X-ray, and the appropriate treatment.
If you've suffered an injury and aren't sure if it's a sprain or fracture, head into our urgent care center in Roswell, New Mexico. You can also call us to schedule an appointment or request a consultation on the website.
