Is my ankle broken or sprained?

Question

I have bad ankles and have sprained them both more times than I can count but this feels different. After twelve hours, I can barely walk on it and the pain is much worse than when it happened. The bone of my outer ankle swelled up and was huge but has gone down some. The top of my foot is also very swollen and the ball of my feet and toes are a little numb. I've stayed off of it and kept it elevated all this time, but when I do have to get up, it feels like the top of my foot is "crunchy?" It's also warmer than the other foot - but not hot. I know if it's just a sprain, they'll wrap it and tell me to stay off it. As I said, this doesn't feel like my other sprains have. My husband says that I would have a fever if it's broken. I know only an x-ray can say for sure but I really don't feel like sitting in the ER with 3 kids on my birthday to be told it's just a sprain. Any medical professionals or people with ankle breaks that can offer advice? Serious answers only please

Answer 1

If the ankle was broken you wouldnt have been able to even walk on it. You said the pain came after twelve hours, which most probably means you didnt treat the injury the time it happened, and now it resulted in further swelling. I advice you go to a doctor, but from the way you describe it I dont think its broken, and you still need to rest those ankles atleast for the next two weeks. Put ice on them 15 to 20 mins every 2 or 3 hours, should help the healing process.

good luck!

Answer 2

Being a x-ray tech(on the night shift) I see patients present like you all the time. While I was reading I thought "probobly a sprain" until I got to the "crunchy" part. My wife's daughter thought she sprained her ankle and didn't go to the doctor. Turned out she had Talus (the bone in the top of your foot) dome fracture. LOL wish i could draw a little picture for you. Real bad news if not treated immediately. So a "3hr. wait" might be worth it. Too bad your not here, haven't had a patient yet. GOOD LUCK

P.S. I have had patients walk on fractured ankles before. Not many but it happens.

Put ICE on it!!!!!and keep elevated

Answer 3

My friend had a broken ankle and he was walking fine on it for 2 weeks. They just thought it was sprained, and it didn't really hurt that bad. FINIALLY when it wasn't getting any better, they got an exray, and he had a broken ankle and had crutches and a cast! So please go to the doctor! When I sprained my ankle grade 2, my foot felt numb and warm, it still does a little bit, after 6 weeks. It's also a little swollen. I don't have the money for a doctor right now, but if I did I would. So PLEASE go to the doctor before u make it any worse.

Answer 4

You have a level 3 sprain that means that means its the worst you should ice it every hour for sixteen min off then on try ice and heat . Get ace wrap there the most supportive . If u can't get a wrap get some toilet paper and tape and wrap it. Or layer it with socks . Make sure to stay off of it as much as possible. if it hasn't healed In one week go see a doctor and get some x rays done. There could be a hidden stress fracture. I hope that helped. :)

Answer 5

You would not have a fever if your foot was broken. It sounds like it is severely sprained or you have in fact fractured it. Did your ankle give way causing you to fall? If so, you may have in fact fractured it especially since it feels like no other sprain you have ever had. See about getting it x=rayed. It is too swollen to cast at this time, so keep it elevated and ice it down and go to the doctor in the morning.

PS : Happy Birthday!!!!!

Answer 6

You need to get that checked out, I work in a podiatrist office. If you are still hesitating, check out my source for an article on the fracture mentioned by the xray tech--talar dome fracture, it may be of some help.

Answer 7

Well it's always better to be safe then sorry if it is broke u not getting it treated now can cause further damage, It sounds like there is something wrong withit... I say you NEED to get get looked at 3kids birthday and all

Answer 8

if your ankle was broken you would not be able to walk on it at all and just moveing your leg ingenerall wouldhurt and if thats the case you need to go to the doc.

Answer 9

Danial dint worry if u think u have fracture then check fir following symptom {1} crypt's sound at fracture site (2)dislocating of bones from their original place in body (3)u have terrible pain at fracture site(4)u CANT MOVE UR AFFECTED PART DUE TO PAIN .....IN MY VIEW U HAVE INFLAMMATION AT THAT SITE DUE TO INJURY AFFECTED SITE SWELLS UP,IT SHOW REDNESS WA MY AT THAT REGION ...AND TENDERNESS THEN NO NEED TO WOO RY ..ITS BEST TO HAVE X=RAY ,MRI SCAN IT REVEAL WEATHER U HAVE FRACTURE , INFLAMMATION ,SPRAIN ...I CERTAIN TYPE OF SPRAIN ,STRAIN TENDONS,LIGAMENTS GET RUPTURED IF WE ANALYSE UR X -RAY AND MRI WE CAN SAY WHAT DEGREE OF RUPTURE U HAVE IN SERIOUS CASES WE PERFORM SURGERY NOTHING TO WORRY WE RE UNIT IT TRANSPLANT IT FROM UR ARM NOTHING TO WORRY PL CHECK UR DOCTOR ITS GOOD TO KEEP UR LEG IN INCLINE POSITION IT PREVENT FROM SWELLING OF UR LEGS AND IT ASSIST IN CIRCULATION TAKE CARE

Answer 10

you might want to get that checked out it could be a fracture!!