How To Tell The Difference Between A Broken Bone And A Sprain

Sprains and broken bones often happen during physical activity, in fact, athletes are the most susceptible to these injuries. When an injury occurs, it can be difficult to determine if the bone has been broken, or if the wound is a sprain. Although they may seem similar because they are both very painful, in fact, they are very different; a sprain is considered to be less severe than a break or fracture and can be treated at home. There are certain factors to look for when attempting to figure out what exactly has happened under the skin.

The Facts

What exactly is the difference between a sprain and a break? Technically speaking, a sprain occurs when a ligament - the tissue that binds two bones together - is torn or stretched. Ligaments help to stabilize the body and protect the joints. A sprain also occurs when too much pressure is put on the joints, this overstretches the ligament and can cause them to rupture completely. When a break or fracture occurs, the bone is chipped, cracked, or completely broken in two or more places. Breaks should always be checked by a healthcare professional to ensure proper healing.

Breaks

A break or fracture happens when the bone is chipped, cracked, or broken; this creates trauma to the surrounding soft tissues in the affected area. Bones that are most likely to experience fractures are the clavicle, wrist bone, and the femur. The signs and symptoms of a break include intense pain, bleeding, hematoma (this looks like a bruise), swelling, and the inability to move the area. The best way to treat a break is to immobilize the entire injured area as this will help avoid more pain and any further complications that may arise. When a break is treated, the patient is told to rest the site of the injury and apply ice consistently. The limb must also be continuously elevated to avoid any restriction of blood flow.