Is it a sprain or a break? What we look for
People often wait days with an ankle injury because they can still limp on it. Walking on it does not rule out a fracture.
A sprain is a stretched or torn ligament; a fracture is a crack in the bone. Both swell, both bruise, and both hurt a great deal. The difference matters because a missed fracture heals badly.
The signs that concern us
We pay attention to where the tenderness sits. Pain directly over a bony point, an inability to take four steps, or a joint that looks wrong in shape all push us towards imaging immediately.
What we do about it
Our digital X-ray is on site, so you find out during the same visit. If it is broken, we splint it here and arrange the orthopaedic follow-up. If it is a sprain, you leave with a brace and a rehabilitation plan.
First 48 hours at home
Rest it, ice for twenty minutes at a time, wrap it with light compression, and keep it raised above your heart when you can. Move it gently once the sharp pain settles — total immobility slows recovery.
Come see us if
You cannot put weight on the limb, there is an obvious deformity, the pain is directly over a bone rather than soft tissue, or the swelling has not improved after two days.