If you’re active, play sports, or just live in a human body, you’ve probably experienced some kind of musculoskeletal injury. Sprains and breaks are two of the most common, and while they can feel similar, it’s important to understand the difference so you can get the right treatment.
This article will break versus sprain down, outlining the key differences between a sprain and a fracture (broken bone), including definitions, symptoms, how they’re diagnosed, and what treatment and recovery look like for each.
What is a sprain?
A sprain is what doctors call an injury to a ligament. Ligaments are the tough, fibrous tissues that connect your bones to each other.
Sprains happen when a ligament gets stretched too far or even torn. You might sprain a joint if you twist, roll, or turn it in an awkward way. For example, ankle sprains often happen when your foot turns inward.
Doctors classify sprains into three grades:
- Grade 1: The ligament is stretched, but only slightly damaged.
- Grade 2: The ligament is partially torn.
- Grade 3: The ligament is completely torn.
What is a fracture?
A fracture is a crack or break in a bone. Fractures can be tiny hairline cracks or complete breaks that split the bone into two or more pieces.
Most fractures are caused by falls, direct impacts, or repeated stress on a bone. Twisting injuries can also cause fractures, especially in the ankle.
Here are some different types of fractures:
- Simple fracture: The bone breaks, but the skin stays intact.
- Compound fracture: The bone breaks and punctures the skin. This is a medical emergency.
- Hairline fracture: A small crack in the bone.
- Complete fracture: The bone is broken into two or more pieces.
Symptoms: Sprain vs. Fracture
It can be tricky to tell the difference between a sprain and a fracture. Here’s what to look for:
Symptoms of a Sprain
- Pain and tenderness. You’ll likely feel pain at the injured joint that’s also tender to the touch.
- Swelling and bruising. The injured joint will likely swell, and bruising may appear as blood leaks into the surrounding tissues.
- Limited range of motion and instability. You’ll probably have a hard time moving the joint through its full range of motion, and the joint may feel unstable.
- Popping sensation. You may have heard or felt a pop when the injury happened.
Symptoms of a Fracture
- Severe pain. Fractures cause intense pain at the site of the break.
- Deformity. The injured limb may look visibly deformed.
- Swelling and bruising. Expect swelling and bruising around the fracture site.
- Inability to bear weight. You likely won’t be able to put any weight on the injured limb.
- Grinding sound or sensation. You may have heard or felt a cracking or crunching sound when the injury happened.
Diagnosis: How to Tell the Difference
If you can’t tell whether you have a sprain or a break, you’ll need to see a doctor. To figure out what’s going on, they’ll probably use some combination of the following methods:
- Physical examination: The doctor will look for swelling, bruising, and any obvious deformities. They’ll also gently move the injured area to see how well it functions and how stable the joint is.
- Mechanism of injury: How did you get hurt? This information can help a doctor distinguish between a sprain and a fracture. For example, injuries where the foot turns inward are more likely to be sprains, while high-impact or twisting injuries may point to a fracture.
- Imaging tests: X-rays are the go-to for diagnosing fractures. They can clearly show any breaks or cracks in the bone. Sometimes, an MRI scan might be ordered to get a better look at the ligaments and other soft tissues, especially if the doctor suspects a sprain or wants to rule out other problems.
How do you treat a sprain?
Most sprains improve with conservative treatment. Here’s what doctors usually recommend:
- RICE Protocol. The acronym RICE stands for:
- Rest: Stay off the injured joint as much as possible.
- Ice: Apply ice for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day.
- Compression: Wrap the joint with a bandage to minimize swelling.
- Elevation: Keep the injured limb raised above your heart.
- Pain Relief. Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help manage the pain.
- Physical Therapy. A physical therapist can teach you exercises to improve the joint’s range of motion, strength, and stability.
- Immobilization. For severe sprains, your doctor might recommend a brace or splint.
How are fractures treated?
Fractures need time, support, and careful medical management to heal properly. Here’s what you can expect from your treatment plan:
- Immobilization: Keeping the broken bone still is essential.
- Casting: Doctors often use plaster or fiberglass casts to immobilize the bone and let it heal.
- Splinting: Sometimes, you might get a splint at first for support and immobilization before a cast.
- Reduction: This means realigning the bone fragments.
- Closed reduction: A doctor manually realigns the bone pieces without surgery.
- Open reduction: This requires surgery to put the bone fragments back together, often using plates, screws, or rods.
- Pain Management: You’ll probably need medication, especially after surgery.
- Physical Therapy: PT helps you regain strength, movement, and function after the bone heals.
- Surgery: Some breaks need surgery to stabilize the bone and help it heal the way it should.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Sprain Recovery
How long a sprain takes to heal depends on how severe it is:
- Grade 1 sprains: 1-3 weeks
- Grade 2 sprains: 3-6 weeks
- Grade 3 sprains: Several months
Fracture Recovery
Healing from a fracture also depends on the location and severity of the break. Most fractures heal within 6-8 weeks, although more complex breaks can take longer. If you require surgery for a fracture, your recovery time may also increase.
In Summary
If you think you’ve broken a bone or sprained a joint, see a doctor right away. An accurate diagnosis is essential for the correct treatment and a full recovery.
Remember that sprains involve injuries to the ligaments, while fractures mean there’s a break in a bone.
Whatever your diagnosis, be sure to follow your doctor’s advice. Sticking to the treatment plan is the surest path to recovery.