How Do You Know if Your Foot is Sprained or Broken?
July 16, 2018 • • ankle care
Imagine it. You are running or walking around when all of a sudden you make one wrong step and your ankle turns inward. All of a sudden you start experiencing sharp, shooting pain, it becomes difficult to walk, and your entire leg feels tender and sore. In order to treat the pain and start to feel better, you need to know whether you have a foot sprain or a broken foot.
An Ankle Sprain and a Broken Ankle Have Similar Symptoms
Determining if you have broken or sprained your ankle or foot can be difficult. It is difficult to determine if you have a sprain or a break because the symptoms are so similar. Common symptoms that are associated with both a foot sprain and a broken foot include:- Painful swelling
- Slight bruising around the foot or ankle
- Sudden pain or a dull ache
How to Determine if You Suffer from a Sprain or a Break
The only way to truly determine if your foot or ankle is broken or sprained is with an x-ray. An x-ray will take a close look at the bones of the foot or ankle and determine if there is any fracture or break.When to Seek Medical Attention for a Foot or Ankle Injury
Seeking prompt medical attention will help you receive a proper diagnosis. Properly diagnosing your foot or ankle injury is necessary to make sure you are receiving proper treatment. While it is recommended that you always seek medical attention if you believe you may have sprained or broken your foot or ankle, there are a few situations where you absolutely must see a doctor. You should seek immediate medical attention if you have the following symptoms:- Extreme pain or discomfort that prevents you from being able to move or walk
- Bone visibly breaking through the skin
- Foot or ankle that appears to be turning blue or dark purple and has a cold feeling to it
- Foot that is turned the wrong way or in an unnatural position
