Fracture or Sprain? How to Tell the Difference and What to Do
You fell, your foot swelled up and you can hardly move it. Is it a fracture or a sprain? Dr. Amr Elyamany explains how to tell them apart, what to do straight away and how each is treated.
Signs of a fracture
- Very severe pain, which may prevent you from moving or even touching the limb.
- A visible deformity, or the limb looking shorter.
- It usually follows a strong blow or a violent fall.
- The swelling often takes a little while to appear.
Signs of a sprain
- A sprain injures the ligaments. The pain can also be severe, but not to the level of a fracture.
- You can move the joint, though with difficulty.
- The swelling tends to appear faster and the area looks redder.
First aid for both
In either case, keep the joint still, place it in a fixed position, apply an ice pack, and use the RICE approach: rest, ice, compression and elevation. Then see a doctor: a clinical examination together with a plain X-ray will tell a fracture from a sprain.
Treatment
- Fracture in a good position: a splint or cast, kept on for about four to six weeks until it has fully healed.
- Displaced fracture: surgery with a plate and screws to bring it back to a position where it can heal well.
- Grade 1 or 2 ligament sprain: conservative treatment with a splint, cast or brace for about three weeks.
- Grade 3 sprain, especially in a professional or regular athlete: often surgery, usually keyhole, to repair the torn ligament.
Key takeaway: You cannot tell for sure by looking: a swollen, painful limb after a fall needs an X-ray.
When to see a doctor
- Severe pain, deformity or inability to bear weight after an injury
- Numbness or a cold, pale limb (an emergency)
- A sprain that is not improving after a week or two
Need advice about your own case? Book a consultation with Dr. Amr Elyamany in Dubai.
This article is for general education and does not replace an in-person medical examination. If you have symptoms, please consult a qualified doctor.