Is It a Sprain, Strain, or a Break? How to Tell the Difference

It can happen so quickly. One second, you’re moving through life. Next, you have sharp, sudden pain. Whether you rolled your ankle, got hurt playing a sport, or got into a car accident, life shifts the moment you sustain your injury.

Fortunately, that shift is usually temporary. The body has remarkable healing abilities. With proper treatment and ample time, you should be able to fully recover. The question, then, is how much treatment and time do you need?

As an expert in musculoskeletal injuries, Angel J. Garcia, MD, can help you find out. At El Paso Center for Family & Sports Medicine, he and our team work with you to diagnose your injury and provide the appropriate treatment. 

Sometimes, you might be able to tell what’s going on before you visit our office. Here’s your quick-start guide to differentiating between injuries. 

Strains and sprains: Similarities and differences 

The main difference here comes from the type of soft tissue injury you sustain. You sprain a ligament, while you strain a muscle or tendon. 

Your ligaments connect bone to bone, so these injuries can be particularly problematic. When you roll your ankle, for example, you typically sprain the ligament there. That means hobbling around until it can heal. 

The differences effectively end there. Both sprains and strains come with symptoms like:

• Bruising
• Instability or weakness
• Limited range of motion
• Localized pain
• Swelling
• Tenderness 

The treatment is generally the same as well. Whether you have a strain or sprain, the best course of action is to rest the area. More severe soft-tissue injuries, such as tears, may require longer recovery and immobilization of the area. Generally, avoiding the affected area allows it to heal. 

You can wait a few days for a sprain or strain to heal. If it improves on its own, you might not need treatment. If you’re not seeing improvement, come visit Dr. Garcia. 

When it might be a broken bone

If you have a broken bone (what doctors call a fracture), you should seek immediate medical attention. Check for these indicators that you have a fracture:

• A joint that looks misaligned or has a bump that wasn’t there before
• Bruising
• Inability to put weight on or move the affected area
• Intense pain 
• Numbness
• Swelling
• Tingling

Seek medical care right away if you’re experiencing these symptoms. Doctors can use an X-ray to determine if you have a fracture and, if so, how severe it is. This lets them tailor care to help the bone heal properly. 

Not all injuries require medical attention. But if you’re in a lot of pain or you want to have Dr. Garcia determine what kind of injury you’ve sustained, we’re here. Contact our office or schedule an appointment online today.