“Sprained ankle looks a bit deformed?”
I fell down a few steps last week and sprained my ankle. I have not gone to a doctor due to financial reasons. It does not hurt unless I move it the wrong way. I have been able to walk on it but the area around the ankle is very swollen still and somewhat firm. It looks funky. How do I know if something is fractured? I have broken my other ankle before and have screws in place but this is different.
Female | 49 years old
Complaint duration: 7 days
6 Answers
The only way to know for sure is to get an X-ray, but I doubt you have a fracture. Get a lace up ankle brace and wear it whenever your foot touches the floor. Take advil 600 mg three times a day. Expect healing to be 4-5 weeks in total.
Hope it helps!!
Dr. Bose
Hope it helps!!
Dr. Bose
If you can walk on it, most likely it’s not broken, but X-rays are needed to be done. It is most likely a sprain that needs a boot, but you need to see a doctor.
If it is a small fracture, you may not be able to tell the difference between a fracture and a sprain without an X-ray. Swelling is normal for several months following any ankle injury, including a sprain.
There is no way to know if you have a fracture without x-rays or imaging studies of some kind. It is very normal to have swelling after an ankle sprain. Normally, if a patient can immediately put weight on the ankle and foot and is able to ambulate after such an injury, we usually assume it is just a sprain and not a fracture. But if the swelling and deformity last >1 week, I would highly suggest visiting a local foot and ankle specialist for evaluation
You need to get an x-ray.
The only way to determine a bone injury, such as fracture would be to get an X ray. I recommend you make an appointment with a foot and ankle surgeon (podiatrist) for appropriate diagnosis and treatment
