Signs of Broken Ankle Vs Sprained Ankle: Diagnosis & Best Treatment!
Signs of Broken Ankle Vs Sprained Ankle: Make 100% sure you aren’t missing the proper diagnosis. Get best FASTER and Confidently!
Signs Of A Broken Ankle:
A Broken Ankle Usually Includes Trauma:
- A suddenly twisted or bent ankle.
- Tripping or falling over something.
- Severe impact such as a fall.
- Trauma experience in a car accident.
- Even an awkward step down the stairs can cause it.
Symptoms of a broken ankle:
- Severe pain.
- Ankle swelling to the injured area.
- Bruising & purple skin.
- Very tender region.
- Inability to put weight on the ankle.
- Possible deformity to the area.
A Broken Ankle Vs Sprained Ankle:
1)Sprained Ankle:
Ankle Sprain symptoms:
- Pain, mostly on the outside.
- Swelling & redness.
- Increase in fluid within the area.
- Decrease in joint mobility.
- Still can have swelling sometimes.
How long does an ankle sprain last?
- Most ankle injuries heal in about 1-2 weeks at most.
- There a types of ankle sprains that cause cause rupture of the ligaments.
- These injuries may need surgery & may take 2-3 months to heal.
- But in 90%+ of cases, you should start feeling better after a few days.
- This is especially true if you use anti-inflammation treatment protocols.
Ankle Sprain:
If it does seem like you have a sprained ankle rather than a broken ankle: Follow this guide to find out exactly how long your ankle treatment will take.
Keys to ankle sprain treatment include:
- Rest, Ice, Compression, Inflammation.
- Protection.
- Physiotherapy.
- X-ray, CT, MRI or nuclear imaging of the joint.
There are three grades sprained ankles:
- Make sure to see your podiatrist most of all to make sure that you are not missing anything, don’t take advice on something so serious from someone online!
- Grade 1 sprained ankle is something that requires probably 1 to 2 days of rest, ice, compression and elevation, at this point you still want to be protected with a good supportive shoe, and lace up ankle brace for about 1-2 weeks.
- A grade 2 sprained ankle requires around 3 to 5 days of rest, ice, compression and elevation. And you still want to get a good supportive shoe and lace ankle brace for probably around the next 2 to 6 weeks.
- A grade 3 sprained ankle will require 5 to 7 or more days of rest, ice, compression and elevation. You probably do have to take a break from sports at this time. And you want to get a good supportive shoe and lace up ankle brace for probably even over six weeks up to three months. Next paragraph for grade 3 ankle sprain probably wanted to go see your podiatrist and get this, evaluate, you probably do need x-rays and probably even an MRI to make sure that you do not have any further damage.
2) Broken Ankle:
It is very difficult to tell the difference between a sprained ankle & a broken ankle. But these signs might make diagnosis more likely:
- Gross deformity.
- Dislocation of the ankle.
- Difficulty moving the ankle.
- Cracking or snapping noise during the injury.
- More severe trauma: large fall or motor vehicle injury.
Broken Ankle Vs Sprained Ankle Prediction:
The Ottawa Ankle Rules are a system designed to predict if someone is more likely to have an ankle injury or a sprained ankle:
A broken ankle is more likely if:
1)Pain in the tibia 6 cm within the ankle.
- Two bones make up your leg.
- The tibia is the inside & the fibula is the outside of the leg.
- The tibia is the major weight bearing bone.
2)Pain in the fibula 6 cm within the ankle.
- The fibula is the outside of your leg.
- It makes the outside boney part of your ankle.
- If pushing against it hurts, it may be an ankle fracture.
- **The soft area below the edge of the bone will hurt in a ankle sprain, but not the bone itself!**
3) You cannot stand on the ankle.
- If you cannot bear weight, this is more likely a fracture.
- Especially a couple days later if you have been icing & elevating the leg.
4)Tenderness on the outside bone of your foot.
- If the middle outside bone of your foot (5th metatarsal) is hurting, you may have a jones fracture.
- This is not a broken ankle, but can be just as serious.
- The 5th metatarsal is a weight bearing bone & if broken can take a very long time to heal.
5)Tenderness when you press on top of the foot (less likely):
- The bones in the middle of your foot may be broken.
- But this is much more unlikely.
6) Unable to bear weight on your foot after a couple days.
- Especially if you have been icing , elevating & taking anti-inflammatories.
- Just like not being able to put ankle, this also happens with your foot!
Traumatic Injury Treatment:
- If you have a traumatic injury such as a severe bruise or broken bone, or even a ruptured tendon: consider protecting your foot!
- The best way to do this is of course to see your podiatrist and get evaluated with an x-ray and potential MRI or CT scan.
- If you are unable to do so it may benefit you to be in a cast, fractured boot, or even keep the weight off of it with a rolling knee scooter or other protective devices.
- We as podiatrists frequently take patients off work for very long period of time when they suffer a traumatic injury, unfortunately there is no other way around us in labor jobs.
- If you have a sitdown job there are ways to get people back to work quicker, but this can be very difficult otherwise.
Ankle Fracture Best Boot Options:
- A cast may be indicated initially, but gradually there are some benefits to a removal air cast.
- This has recently been shown to be more and more beneficial for ankle fractures.
- Our favorite fracture boots and their supplies:
Best Fracture Scooters
Best Value & Best Seller Knee Rolling Scooter.
Best All Terrain Heavy Duty Scooter.
Best Crutch Free Walking Device.
Best Elevating Specific Postop or Swelling Pillow
Price:
$107.99
$268.99
$149.00
$52.99
Overview:
Very good reviews at 4.5/5 with 3,000+ reviews. Great Price.
Excellent overall reviews at 4.4/5 with 1,300+ reviews. Great heavy duty all terrain.
Decent reviews at 3.9/5 with 4,000+ reviews. NOT for everyone!
Very good reviews at 4.7/5 with almost 2,000 Reviews. Simple job but does it well.
Pros:
Great reviews, great price overall, what more can you ask for?
Good for offroad, grass and dirt. This is the better choice for heavy and tall patients over 6 foot and heavy.
This is great for athletic and mobile people. We have found success for younger and more physically capable people.
Great pillow for the first 1-2 weeks after foot or ankle fracture and surgery. Decreased pain and swelling.
Cons:
Least durable and no real off-road capabilities.
It is more costly than the economy version.
DO NOT get this if you are older, have poor balance and poor mobility. Higher fall risk.
Basically it is a pillow that costs $50, if you are tight on money, don't get it.
Crucial Tips:
These can be tough on the knee and the lower back. Combine with physical therapy.
If you are a bigger person at over 6ft tall, consider this. If you need to be at work or outside, this is great option.
This is better for very mobile and physically capable people. Do not get this if you have poor weight control or poor balance.
It can be very effective and does a great job, but if you are tight on cash, use it on a better boot or scooter.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Fracture Scooters
Best Value & Best Seller Knee Rolling Scooter.
Price:
$107.99
Overview:
Very good reviews at 4.5/5 with 3,000+ reviews. Great Price.
Pros:
Great reviews, great price overall, what more can you ask for?
Cons:
Least durable and no real off-road capabilities.
Crucial Tips:
These can be tough on the knee and the lower back. Combine with physical therapy.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Fracture Scooters
Best All Terrain Heavy Duty Scooter.
Price:
$268.99
Overview:
Excellent overall reviews at 4.4/5 with 1,300+ reviews. Great heavy duty all terrain.
Pros:
Good for offroad, grass and dirt. This is the better choice for heavy and tall patients over 6 foot and heavy.
Cons:
It is more costly than the economy version.
Crucial Tips:
If you are a bigger person at over 6ft tall, consider this. If you need to be at work or outside, this is great option.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Fracture Scooters
Best Crutch Free Walking Device.
Price:
$149.00
Overview:
Decent reviews at 3.9/5 with 4,000+ reviews. NOT for everyone!
Pros:
This is great for athletic and mobile people. We have found success for younger and more physically capable people.
Cons:
DO NOT get this if you are older, have poor balance and poor mobility. Higher fall risk.
Crucial Tips:
This is better for very mobile and physically capable people. Do not get this if you have poor weight control or poor balance.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Fracture Scooters
Best Elevating Specific Postop or Swelling Pillow
Price:
$52.99
Overview:
Very good reviews at 4.7/5 with almost 2,000 Reviews. Simple job but does it well.
Pros:
Great pillow for the first 1-2 weeks after foot or ankle fracture and surgery. Decreased pain and swelling.
Cons:
Basically it is a pillow that costs $50, if you are tight on money, don't get it.
Crucial Tips:
It can be very effective and does a great job, but if you are tight on cash, use it on a better boot or scooter.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Ankle Fracture Best Scooter Options:
- Crutches can be very difficult on the inside of the armpits, this can cause significant pain, especially considering how long it takes to heal the broken ankle.
- These are favorite knee scooters and walking devices:
Best Fracture Boots & Covers
Best Tall Boot
Best Short Boot
Best Fracture Boot Balance Device
Best Cast Shower Cover
Best Weather Walking Cover
Price:
$78.24
$45.10
$29.99
$13.99
Price not available
Overview:
Excellent reviews at 4.6/5 with over 800+ Reviews:
Very good reviews. This is 4.3/5 ratings on over 3,000+ reviews.
Outstanding reviews: 4.3/5 for 1,000+ reviews! Prevents hip, knee and back pain.
Amazing Reviews at 4.6/5 at 500+ reviews. Best reviewed and cost effective bag.
Great reviews at 4.1/5 with 200+ overall reviews.
Pros:
It has an air bladder for extra cushion. It is tall for extra support, as well as air bladder.
Excellent lower cost walking boot. With a orthotic and cushion, it really keeps pressure off of your ankle.
This works great to balance the opposite foot. This prevents the back, hip and knees from having any pain.
It is very effective but not perfect. The price is really good and it has excellent reviews.
Great cover for walking around in snow and rain, it is great at what it does!
Cons:
The inner sleeve can ride lower and the plastic around the rim can irritate the boot.
Less support with the less than full length boot. It is more comfortable but less supportive.
Does not work that great for slippers and less supportive shoes.
It can still leak, so be careful!
It is still not fully water proof.
Crucial Tips:
Make sure your lift the cushioning material along the hard plastic rim. Make sure to keep it pumped up. Use an orthotic and a lift on the other side.
Use a lift for the other foot to prevent back and hip problems. Also use an orthotic for the flat foot bed.
This is very cost effective and well worth it. Just make sure both shoes have good supportive orthotics.
Just be careful with this is not perfect. It can still get wet underneath.
Great cover for outdoors. Good at what it says it will do.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Fracture Boots & Covers
Best Tall Boot
Price:
$78.24
Overview:
Excellent reviews at 4.6/5 with over 800+ Reviews:
Pros:
It has an air bladder for extra cushion. It is tall for extra support, as well as air bladder.
Cons:
The inner sleeve can ride lower and the plastic around the rim can irritate the boot.
Crucial Tips:
Make sure your lift the cushioning material along the hard plastic rim. Make sure to keep it pumped up. Use an orthotic and a lift on the other side.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Fracture Boots & Covers
Best Short Boot
Price:
$45.10
Overview:
Very good reviews. This is 4.3/5 ratings on over 3,000+ reviews.
Pros:
Excellent lower cost walking boot. With a orthotic and cushion, it really keeps pressure off of your ankle.
Cons:
Less support with the less than full length boot. It is more comfortable but less supportive.
Crucial Tips:
Use a lift for the other foot to prevent back and hip problems. Also use an orthotic for the flat foot bed.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Fracture Boots & Covers
Best Fracture Boot Balance Device
Price:
$29.99
Overview:
Outstanding reviews: 4.3/5 for 1,000+ reviews! Prevents hip, knee and back pain.
Pros:
This works great to balance the opposite foot. This prevents the back, hip and knees from having any pain.
Cons:
Does not work that great for slippers and less supportive shoes.
Crucial Tips:
This is very cost effective and well worth it. Just make sure both shoes have good supportive orthotics.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Fracture Boots & Covers
Best Cast Shower Cover
Price:
$13.99
Overview:
Amazing Reviews at 4.6/5 at 500+ reviews. Best reviewed and cost effective bag.
Pros:
It is very effective but not perfect. The price is really good and it has excellent reviews.
Cons:
It can still leak, so be careful!
Crucial Tips:
Just be careful with this is not perfect. It can still get wet underneath.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Fracture Boots & Covers
Best Weather Walking Cover
Price:
Price not available
Overview:
Great reviews at 4.1/5 with 200+ overall reviews.
Pros:
Great cover for walking around in snow and rain, it is great at what it does!
Cons:
It is still not fully water proof.
Crucial Tips:
Great cover for outdoors. Good at what it says it will do.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Broken Ankle Rehab & Treatment:
There are 5 essential things that you may need to help you with your broken ankle recovery time!
The five essential things include the number one most important:
- You do have to see your podiatrist and foot specialist to diagnose your broken ankle! We cannot do this for you as an online service. If you have dark bruising and swelling, there is a good chance that you may be having a problem.
- So important tip number one is go see your podiatrist for your broken ankle or your broken foot to make sure.
- Stuff that we can help you with is provide you some more cost-effective alternatives for some products.
- Things that you will need are most likely a rolling the scooter to stay off your foot for long period of time, he probably will need either a cast or a fracture boot.
- You will probably need a cast protectorate avoid getting it wet so you don’t smell, and that your significant other doesn’t leave you.
- And most likely you will also need a cast elevator to keep your foot elevated so that it does not swell extensively.
Phase 1 of your broken ankle recovery:
Table could not be displayed.
Phase 2 of your broken ankle recovery:
Table could not be displayed.
Pain treatment options for a broken or sprained ankle:
Best Foot & Ankle Muscle/Ligament Pain Relief Products
Best & Proven Pain Relieving Gel.
Roll On Version of Biofreeze Gel.
A giant container of value size biofreeze.
Menthol Based Ointment with Hemp Extract
Price:
$32.97
$24.48
$137.21
$24.99
Overview:
The Proven and Scientifically Published Menthol Based Gel
Same as biofreeze gel, but the roll-on is prefered by some people for their feet, less messy.
8.1 lbs(3.67 kg) of Value Sized Biofreeze!
This is an alternative cream: Basically Biofreeze + hemp extract.
Pros:
Scientifically proven to loosen up and relief pain up to 2x longer than Ice. Less effort than ice and great reviews. 900+ 5 star reviews on Amazon.
The roll-on application of this biofreeze can be easier to apply. Less overall mess.
If you know you already love it and trust the reviews. This is a great value that lasts a long time.
It has great reviews, loved by the all natural crowd. 100s of 5 star reviews with a near perfect rating.
Cons:
Don't put this on open sores or mucous membranes, it will burn! It can run out quick and doesn't prevent pain, just helps it.
Not as easy to spread in other areas, main difference is the roll on applicator, same solution.
A gigantic bottle that could fall over and injure you! Seriously this could be too big in some situations.
Basically looks like menthol(active Biofreeze ingredient), but with hemp extract SKYROCKETING the price.
Important Tips:
Menthol is the active ingredient in this and other hemp based creams. It works similar to ice, but once you apply it you can just move on rather than waiting 20 minutes. **Works great to get your through the night if you have pain sleeping**
Roll-on method is best for the bottom of the feet. No other real advantage. Most patients like it prior to bed for easy sleeping without foot pain.
If you know you love it, this stuff works all over the sore areas in your body not just your foot. I have had many people get me to order this for them in the past and LOVED IT!
The hemp extract is almost nothing and likely a marketing gimmick. It's basically Biofreeze with some hemp extract raising the price.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Foot & Ankle Muscle/Ligament Pain Relief Products
Best & Proven Pain Relieving Gel.
Price:
$32.97
Overview:
The Proven and Scientifically Published Menthol Based Gel
Pros:
Scientifically proven to loosen up and relief pain up to 2x longer than Ice. Less effort than ice and great reviews. 900+ 5 star reviews on Amazon.
Cons:
Don't put this on open sores or mucous membranes, it will burn! It can run out quick and doesn't prevent pain, just helps it.
Important Tips:
Menthol is the active ingredient in this and other hemp based creams. It works similar to ice, but once you apply it you can just move on rather than waiting 20 minutes. **Works great to get your through the night if you have pain sleeping**
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Foot & Ankle Muscle/Ligament Pain Relief Products
Roll On Version of Biofreeze Gel.
Price:
$24.48
Overview:
Same as biofreeze gel, but the roll-on is prefered by some people for their feet, less messy.
Pros:
The roll-on application of this biofreeze can be easier to apply. Less overall mess.
Cons:
Not as easy to spread in other areas, main difference is the roll on applicator, same solution.
Important Tips:
Roll-on method is best for the bottom of the feet. No other real advantage. Most patients like it prior to bed for easy sleeping without foot pain.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Foot & Ankle Muscle/Ligament Pain Relief Products
A giant container of value size biofreeze.
Price:
$137.21
Overview:
8.1 lbs(3.67 kg) of Value Sized Biofreeze!
Pros:
If you know you already love it and trust the reviews. This is a great value that lasts a long time.
Cons:
A gigantic bottle that could fall over and injure you! Seriously this could be too big in some situations.
Important Tips:
If you know you love it, this stuff works all over the sore areas in your body not just your foot. I have had many people get me to order this for them in the past and LOVED IT!
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Foot & Ankle Muscle/Ligament Pain Relief Products
Menthol Based Ointment with Hemp Extract
Price:
$24.99
Overview:
This is an alternative cream: Basically Biofreeze + hemp extract.
Pros:
It has great reviews, loved by the all natural crowd. 100s of 5 star reviews with a near perfect rating.
Cons:
Basically looks like menthol(active Biofreeze ingredient), but with hemp extract SKYROCKETING the price.
Important Tips:
The hemp extract is almost nothing and likely a marketing gimmick. It's basically Biofreeze with some hemp extract raising the price.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
