What Is a Sprained Ankle vs. Broken Ankle?

Written by Hirania Luzardo
Medically Reviewed by Shruthi N, MD on June 21, 2025
8 min read

An ankle sprain is what happens when you twist, roll, or turn your ankle in a way that stretches or tears the ligaments. These are strong bands of tissue that connect bones and help keep your ankle stable. You might feel sudden pain, see swelling, or notice bruising. If the sprain is mild, you may still be able to walk. But a more serious sprain can make it hard to put any weight on your foot.

The symptoms of a sprained ankle can appear quickly or may take a little time to show up. You might notice symptoms such as:

  • Pain, especially when you try to stand or walk
  • Swelling around the ankle
  • Bruising or discoloration
  • A popping sound or feeling at the time of the injury
  • Tenderness when you touch the area
  • Trouble moving your ankle or putting weight on it
  • The loose, wobbly feeling in your ankle
  • A feeling like your ankle might give out

How long does a sprained ankle take to heal​?

How fast you heal depends on the type of sprain. It also depends on how well you follow your doctor’s care plan. You might feel better within two weeks. But if your ligament is severely stretched or torn, full recovery can take longer.

You can expect different healing times based on the grade of your sprain:

Grade 1 (mild sprain). You stretched the ligament without tearing it. You’ll likely have mild pain and swelling. Healing usually takes one to three weeks.

Grade 2 (moderate sprain). The ligament is partially torn. You may have more pain, swelling, and bruising, and walking may be hard. Recovery usually takes three to six weeks.

Grade 3 (serious sprain). The ligament is completely torn. You may feel intense pain, have major swelling and bruising, and not be able to put weight on your ankle. Healing can take three to six months.

A broken ankle is when one or more of the bones in your ankle joint break. This can happen if you fall, twist your ankle, or take a hard hit. You might feel sharp pain right away or hear a snap.

Some breaks are small. In others, the bone moves out of place. These usually need more care or even surgery.

A broken ankle can feel a lot like a bad sprain, but the symptoms are usually more intense. Paying attention to these signs can guide you on when to see a doctor. Signs that may point to a broken ankle include:

  • Bruising or discoloration around the ankle
  • Trouble walking or putting weight on your foot
  • A visible change in the shape of your ankle
  • An ankle that looks twisted or out of place
  • Tenderness when you touch the area
  • A snapping or grinding sound heard at the time of injury

It’s not always easy to tell the difference between an ankle sprain and a break. These signs can help you figure out which injury you have:

The way you got hurt. A sprain usually happens when your foot twists too far inward. This can stretch or tear a ligament. Doctors call it an “inversion injury.” A break can occur when your foot twists inward and down. This puts too much pressure on the bone and causes it to crack. Doctors call it a “rotational injury.” Sometimes, you can have both a sprain and a break at the same time.

Whether you heard a sound when it happened. A sprain often happens quietly. Sometimes, you may hear a pop. A break usually makes a cracking sound.

How your ankle looks. Both injuries can cause swelling. But if your ankle looks crooked or uneven, you may have a broken bone.

If you feel numbness or tingling. A sprain usually causes pain, but not numbness. If you feel tingling or lose feeling in part of your ankle, it may be broken.

If you feel pain in the bone. Pain directly over the ankle bone points to a break. Pain in the soft areas of your ankle usually means a sprain.

Whether you can move your ankle. A sprain may still let you move, even if it hurts. A break often makes movement too painful or impossible.

Whether you can walk or put weight on it. Some people can walk with a sprain, though it hurts. But if you can’t put any weight on the ankle, it might be broken.

To diagnose your injury, your doctor will examine your ankle, foot, and lower leg. Each of these steps helps them find out if you have a sprain or a break:

You explain what happened. Your doctor will ask how you got hurt, where it hurts, and what you felt at the time.

You show where it hurts. Your doctor will look for swelling, bruising, or changes in shape. They may press on your ankle to find the most painful spot.

You move your foot or walk a few steps. This helps your doctor see how well your ankle works.

You may get an X-ray. This can show whether you have any broken bones.

You get more tests if needed. Your doctor might use imaging tests such as an MRI, CT, or bone scan to check your ligaments or find small fractures.

Most sprains get better with home care. You usually don’t need surgery or long-term treatment.

You can take pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen to ease swelling and discomfort.

Your doctor may recommend the RICE method to help you recover:

Rest. Stay off your ankle as much as you can.

Ice. Apply ice for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day.

Compression. Wrap your ankle with an elastic bandage to ease swelling.

Elevation. Raise your ankle above your heart to help ease swelling.

If walking hurts, your doctor may give you crutches. You might also need a bandage, brace, or boot to support and protect your ankle while it heals.

If your sprain is moderate, your doctor may recommend physical therapy. This helps you build strength, improve balance, and get your movement back once pain and swelling go down.

Surgery is rare and usually only needed if your ankle doesn’t heal with other treatments.

If you think your ankle is broken, see a doctor as soon as possible. Keeping your ankle still helps prevent more damage. Your doctor may give you crutches, a splint, or a cast to protect the area while it heals.

Sometimes, your doctor can move the bones back into place without surgery. This is called a “reduction”. They may numb the area first to keep you comfortable.

If the bones won’t stay in place or the break is more serious, you may need surgery. An orthopedic surgeon can use metal plates, screws, or rods to hold the bones together. They may remove them after the bone heals or if they cause pain.

You can also put ice on your ankle, raise it above your heart, and take pain relievers. These steps help reduce swelling and ease pain.

Recovery time depends on the type of injury you have and how well you care for your ankle. Here’s what you can expect:

You have a mild to moderate sprain. You may feel better in a few days. You should be mostly healed in about six weeks.

You have a serious sprain. Recovery may take several months. You might need physical therapy to regain strength and balance.

You have a broken ankle. Bones usually heal in two to three months with a cast or boot.

You have surgery for your break. Recovery may take three months to a year, depending on how serious the break is and how well you follow your care plan.

You can get a sprained ankle when you stretch or tear a ligament. A broken ankle means one or more bones in your ankle have cracked. Both injuries can cause swelling, bruising, and pain. But the way your ankle looks, feels, and moves can help you tell the difference. Sprains usually heal with rest, ice, and support. A broken ankle may need a cast, boot, or surgery. With the right care, you can heal in a few weeks to months.

Can you still walk on a broken ankle?

You might still walk on a broken ankle, especially if the break is minor. But more serious fractures usually make it hard or impossible to put weight on your foot. You may need crutches, a boot, or a cast to protect your ankle while it heals.

Should I go to the ER for a sprained ankle?

You should go to the ER if your ankle looks out of place, you can’t walk on it, or the pain and swelling don’t start to get better after a couple of days. Go right away if you have severe swelling, numbness, or trouble moving your foot.

Can you move your ankle if it’s fractured?

You probably can’t move your ankle normally if it’s broken. A fracture usually needs to be kept still (immobilization). Your doctor will use a cast or boot to keep the bones still so they can heal correctly. Even minor fractures often mean you’ll have to limit movement and stay off the ankle until it heals.

Do you need a boot for a sprained ankle?

You might need a boot for a sprained ankle if the injury is moderate or severe. A walking boot helps protect your ankle, keeps it stable, and gives the ligament time to heal. Your doctor will decide if a boot is right for you based on how much the ligament was stretched or torn.