Can a Rotator Cuff Injury Heal on Its Own?
A rotator cuff tear is painful and debilitating, but do you really need surgery? Here’s the rundown on rotator cuff injuries and when they need medical care.
Ankle Sprain vs. Stress Fracture: 4 Critical Differences
Sprains and stress fractures can mess up your ankle for several weeks, but how do you know which type of injury you have?
The best way is to see Dr. Bryan King or Dr. Jeffrey Cuomo at Tuscaloosa Orthopedic & Joint Institute in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Their experience and expertise enable them to reach an accurate diagnosis quickly so you can get started on the appropriate treatment.
In the meantime, here are some clues about these two common ankle injuries to narrow down the possibilities and understand what may have happened inside your ankle.
What is a stress fracture?
A fracture is a broken bone — it can be a partial or complete break. A stress fracture is also a bone break, but the cause is typically overuse or repetitive activity rather than an acute traumatic incident.
If you’re an avid runner or play a sport that requires a lot of running, such as basketball or soccer, you’re susceptible to stress fractures or small cracks in your ankle bones.
What is an ankle sprain?
An ankle sprain doesn’t involve your bones but your ligaments, the tissues that connect your muscles to your bones. If you fall, roll, or twist your ankle violently, you can stretch your ligaments beyond their capacity, and you have a sprained ankle.
We grade sprained ankles according to the severity of the overstretching: Grade 1 is a mild stretch, grade 2 is a moderate stretch with partial tearing, and grade 3 is a fully severed ligament.
The differences between an ankle sprain and a stress fracture
When your ankle hurts and you can’t put weight on it, you know you’ve damaged something inside, but what? Is it a sprain or a stress fracture? Answering the following four questions helps you arrive at a fairly reliable self-diagnosis.
1. Did you hear any sound when you injured your ankle?
If you were in a car accident or running for a touchdown amid the roaring cheers of a full stadium, you might not have heard anything when your ankle injury occurred. However, hearing a sound at the moment of impact can give you a clue about the type of injury.
A popping sound may indicate a severe ligament rupture (sprained ankle). A cracking sound may indicate a fracture.
2. Is your ankle numb?
Ankle sprains and stress fractures are typically painful, but only a fracture comes with a potential symptom of numbness and tingling.
If you’ve lost feeling in your ankle or have a pins-and-needles sensation, you may have a fracture. If so, it requires immediate medical attention because you may have a loss of blood flow to the area.
3. Where is the pain?
Focusing on where your ankle hurts the most can help you figure out what type of injury you have.
For example, a fractured bone hurts when you touch the area directly over that bone. Ankle fractures are most common in the three bones that make up your ankle joint: the tibia, the fibula, and the talus.
The bumps on your inner and outer ankle, formed by the ends of the tibia and fibula, are susceptible to fractures. If these are extremely tender or painful when you touch them, chances are you have a fracture.
On the other hand, sprains affect your ligaments, so if your pain is concentrated in your ankle’s soft tissues, you likely have an ankle sprain.
4. Is your ankle distorted?
Sprained and fractured ankles both cause swelling and bruising, but that’s where the similarities end. A fractured ankle — especially a severe fracture — can throw your ankle joint out of alignment and make it appear misshapen.
Treatment for ankle sprains and stress fractures
Once we diagnose your injury, we get you started on a treatment that addresses your unique symptoms and considers your age, weight, lifestyle, and activity goals. Depending on the type and location of your injury, your treatment plan might include bracing, physical therapy, rest, medication, and/or surgery.
If you’re an athlete and the injury happened in a game, practice, or training, our sports medicine experts develop a treatment plan specifically geared toward your sport and getting you back in the game with a strong, fully healed ankle.
To schedule an appointment with our specialists, call Tuscaloosa Orthopedic & Joint Institute at 205-391-4440.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Sprains vs. Strains: What Is the Difference?
You were playing your favorite sport or just walking down the street, minding your own business, when a sudden misstep or awkward motion ruined your day. Did you sprain or strain something? Here’s how to tell.
3 Subtle Signs of a Foot Fracture
After a fall, car crash, or unfortunate slide tackle, you know something’s wrong with your foot — but what? Here are the classic signs indicating it could be a foot fracture.
Can Hip Pain Change How You Walk?
It's bad enough that your hip hurts, but it could cause problems throughout your body if it changes how you walk. Here’s how painful hips affect your gait — and why it matters.
Why Do My Heels Hurt When I Wake Up?
If your first step in the morning sends a shock of pain through your foot and into your heel, you might have plantar fasciitis. Here’s what you need to know about this common but excruciating condition.
What Every Athlete Needs to Know About Tendonitis
Do you golf, run, throw, swing, swim, or pitch? If your favorite sport requires the exact same joint movement every time you play, you could be at risk for tendonitis. Here’s how to spot it, treat it, and prevent it in the future.