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Suggest Treatment For Pain In Ankle Radiating To Legs Post Injury

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Posted on Wed, 10 Sep 2014
Question: my foot fell asleep and when i stepped down on it my ankle rolled. There was a loud cracking soound, like steppin on a bad of potato chips. I fell to the ground. very painful. ankle is swelling. pain accross ankle, radiating up leg but generating from ankle. slight bruising but not black or dark. I can move it without too much pain but it is tight. It can hold my weight. Just dont want to get an xray if unlikely to be broken. Have had too many in my day and dont want unnecesary exposure. i am icing and applying heat. any clues to how a sprain would present itself vs a break?
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (27 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
hi and welcome to hcm

Detailed Answer:
It is hard to differentiate it without xrays. Only external signs of fracture are deformity,crepitations and loss of function. This is seen in significant displacement of fractured bones. Minor fractures would manifest with swelling and pain which is seen in sprains too. Fracture would cause increasing pain if foot isnt resting but this is not always seen. So you have few options. First,to do xrays,which is really minor amount of irradiation which has negligible effect on internal organs. You can wait and see will pain progress,minor fractures and sprains will heal without immobilisation in short time. Serious fractures that requires surgery would cause inability to walk at all and significant pain so this is not likely to be in your case.wish you good health. Regards
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 13888 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Pain In Ankle Radiating To Legs Post Injury

Brief Answer: hi and welcome to hcm Detailed Answer: It is hard to differentiate it without xrays. Only external signs of fracture are deformity,crepitations and loss of function. This is seen in significant displacement of fractured bones. Minor fractures would manifest with swelling and pain which is seen in sprains too. Fracture would cause increasing pain if foot isnt resting but this is not always seen. So you have few options. First,to do xrays,which is really minor amount of irradiation which has negligible effect on internal organs. You can wait and see will pain progress,minor fractures and sprains will heal without immobilisation in short time. Serious fractures that requires surgery would cause inability to walk at all and significant pain so this is not likely to be in your case.wish you good health. Regards