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

Pain

Although it may seem like a fracture would be the most painful, that is typically not the case. The pain an individual experiences from a sprain and a break will feel almost the same, with one significant difference. In the case of a sprain, pain is felt around the bone in the muscle, ligaments, and soft tissue whereas breaks cause pain in the bone itself. In both sprains and fractures, there will be swelling, possible bruising and both problems will likely result in pain when pressure is applied to the injured area.

Treatment

Sprains should be treated by resting the injured area, applying ice, using compression, and elevating. The use of crutches is also necessary if the injury is in the legs or feet. Common sprains can heal in less than ten days whereas more severe cases require up to five weeks to completely recover. Most bone fractures can be treated with conservative methods like splinting - immobilizing the injured area first and creating a splint. Some of the more severe injuries could require surgery. Often, patients with a broken bone receive over-the-counter medication to manage their pain.