Ankle injuries can be painful and often take time to heal. If you've recently injured your ankle and it's bruised and swollen, visit a walk-in clinic to find out if it's sprained or fractured — or if there's another issue. Take a look at the common symptoms of sprained and broken ankles below to differentiate between the two.

Symptoms of a Sprained Ankle

Ligaments are the stretchy bands that keep your joints stable and connect two bones. When you have a sprain, it means you have stretched the ligaments beyond their limits — sometimes even tearing them in the process. A healthcare professional at a walk-in clinic can examine your ankle to determine if it's sprained or broken. Before you stop in, check for some common symptoms of a sprain yourself. These include bruising, swelling, and tenderness, plus an inability to put weight on it without pain in the soft part of your ankle. If there was no cracking or snapping sound at the time of the injury, there is likely no break.

Symptoms of a Broken Ankle

It's often difficult to tell the difference between an ankle sprain and a fracture. A compound fracture, in which the bone breaks the skin, is extreme and obvious. However, hairline fractures or displaced breaks are sometimes more elusive. Symptoms of a broken ankle may include severe swelling and bruising to the point of deformity, in which case you are unable to put weight on the ankle. Pain can occur in the bone itself, making any movement distressing. If you hear a cracking sound during the injury, this can indicate a fracture instead of a sprain. If you suspect you have a broken ankle, head to a walk-in clinic immediately for a medical examination and X-rays.

If you have an ankle injury, visit the walk-in clinic at Burton Creek Rural Clinic in West Plains, MO. For more than a decade, the doctors, nurses, and other staff at this caring medical clinic have been providing trusted service to individuals and families across Howell County. Call (417) 256-2111 today to schedule an appointment, or visit their website for more information about their state-of-the-art services and compassionate care.