You're not alone if you’ve ever wondered whether you had a sprain or a fracture after a fall or other trauma. Some fractures are apparent, including those that break through the skin or affect how a finger, hand, leg, or ankle functions or looks.
But many fractures are less obvious and often mistaken for sprains or muscular strains rather than broken bones.
Board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Sumit Dewanjee and our team at FXRX in Tempe and Phoenix, Arizona, specialize in strains, sprains, and fractures of all types.
Only a doctor can say for sure, but understanding the signs of a broken bone and seeking medical attention is crucial to ensuring a full recovery.
Here's what our FXRX team wants you to know about signs of a fracture.
Fractures are not always obvious, but there are key indicators to watch for.
Persistent pain, especially when moving or touching the bone, is often a sign of fracture. Swelling can develop within minutes to hours after the injury.
Both sprains and fractures can cause tingling and numbness that could indicate nerve damage that a healthcare provider should check.
A limb that appears bent, twisted, or out of alignment could have a displaced fracture.
A fractured bone can cause nearby blood vessels to rupture, leading to visible bruising around the area.
Difficulty walking or moving the affected limb or joint might indicate a break.
You might hear or feel a grinding sensation when the fractured bones move.
A compound fracture occurs when the broken bone punctures the skin. Notably, this type of fracture needs emergency medical care to prevent bacteria from entering the bone, which can cause a life-threatening infection.
Sprains involve ligaments, strong fibrous tissue that helps hold bones within a joint together. It’s sometimes hard to spot differences between a sprain and a fracture since the symptoms are often similar.
It may be a sprain if you can move the involved joint normally, don’t notice any misalignment, and the pain responds to over-the-counter medicines and home care like ice and rest.
But at FXRX, we recommend scheduling a visit if the pain, swelling, and other symptoms linger for 2-3 days.
We usually recommend a visit for moderate to severe sprains since these injuries can affect joint stability, often take weeks to heal, and may require rehab before you return to sports or other routine activities.
Dr. Dewanjee typically combines a physical exam with imaging studies such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to confirm a fracture and assess its severity.
Treatment varies, depending on fracture type and severity. The most common approaches include:
Simple fractures are often treated with a cast to keep the bone in place while it heals.
Some fractures require traction to realign the bones using weights and pulleys.
Severe fractures may require surgery, such as internal fixation using metal rods, plates, or screws to stabilize the bone as it heals.
Once the bone has healed, Dr. Dewanjee may recommend physical therapy to restore mobility, strength, and function.
Healing times vary depending on the fracture type, the individual’s age, and overall health. The average healing time is 3-6 weeks in children and 6-8 weeks in adults. Older adults may require 10-12 weeks.
Schedule a visit at FXRX today for expert orthopedic care designed to get you moving pain-free again. Call our office or request an appointment online.
