sprained, bruised, fractured or broken? pic included

[unicornwonders]

so yesterday i fell over a curb i didn’t see(stupid i know but a box box was blocking my view) i limped back to the car in extreme pain, it’s quit swollen, i can’t put weight on it so i’m limping about, it’s a big swollen lump we’re the sticking out bit of the ankle is, not sure due to swelling but think the ankle bone may have moved. I don’t want to sit in hospital if it’s something minor. Any advice welcome as i’m not sure what’s wrong with it or how to treat it other than elevate it

Fractured and broken is the same thing by the way.

Also this.

What do you think "fracture" means, if you think it's different to "broken"? A broken bone is broken, whether it's a massive displaced break or a hairline crack.

What does it matter? Does repeating this make you feel good about yourself?

I also did this and was swollen in the exact same area, the nubley pointy bit on the side of the ankle and pretty bruised. I couldn't walk on it at all. Its called an Avulsion fracture, and its where the ligament attaches to the bone and comes away with force, pulling a tiny section of bone way with it. So its not a break across the normal ankle bones and less severe. I was in a boot for about 4 weeks and a tubigrip thing for another 2.

Just reiterating OP, you can do more harm than good by not going to minor injuries/A&E. So please go!

I now have a weakness (would've had it anyway though from my first injury) from not getting my broken foot treated properly in the first place - one or two small bones were broken but it was misdiagnosed as a bad sprain.

The doctor/nurse who saw me after I did it again said that when I broke my foot, a bad sprain/twist can show up similar symptoms - e.g. very swollen.

This was years ago but advice with sprain was to elevate, rest, cold icepacks. Now it's same but warm compresses and walk with crutches. They also didn't x ray back then.

With an ankle, same as with foot, I also got strict advice (but had this from first doctor) not to exercise/dance etc on it for 3 months to give the foot time to heal. And to wear a support bandage.

currently sitting in a&e, called 111 who advised to come as apparently minor injuries unit near me wouldn’t be able to help, it’s quite busy but hopefully not to long of a wait but i guess we will see thanks to everybody for the advice and to those saying broken and fracture are different i didn’t know this as i’ve heard both scores sound used so thought they meant different things

Hope you don't have to wait too long & fingers crossed it is not broken

Even drs and nurses can't always tell your need MIU or a&e jf not
Many places don't have a MIU we don't but a small section of a &e is for this now

I didn't know fractire and broken were same thing either until i broke my foot and 90% of people asked me have you fractured it or broken so i think its common to think its the same thing

i have a hairline fracture thanks to everyone for their help

hopefully it will heal quickly!

Oh no - did they put a cast on? Hope all ok

Probably a sprain but you need it checked. Minor injuries unit best.

sorry to hear it’s a hairline fracture! Rest up OP and take it easy!

I do wish all the armchair people who think “oh it’s only a sprain” would think before they say this. Even if it’s only a sprain if it’s bad there’s a weakness in that limb/area so you need to ensure it heals well. Break even worse.