A misstep on the stairs, an awkward landing during sport, and the ankle swells up. Sprain or fracture? It's a fair question, and the honest answer is: only an X-ray can settle it with certainty. Still, here are some useful pointers, and above all the right things to do while you wait to see a doctor.
Content validated by Dr Cécile Besson Duvanel, Medical Director
A sprain typically causes pain and swelling around the joint, with weight-bearing difficult but often possible. A fracture is more often accompanied by very sharp, localised pain, a complete inability to put weight on the limb, and sometimes a visible deformity or a crack felt at the moment of impact.
But be careful: these pointers are not 100% reliable. Some fractures still allow you to walk, and some severe sprains are more disabling than a hairline fracture. Hence the importance of imaging if in doubt.
While waiting for the consultation, the RICE protocol has proven its worth:
See a doctor without delay if you cannot put weight on the limb, if the pain is intense, if the joint is deformed or if the swelling is significant. And in any case, pain that lasts more than a few days deserves a medical opinion: a poorly treated sprain can leave lasting instability, particularly in the ankle.
With children and older people, be even more careful: their bones react differently to impacts, and a consultation is warranted more readily.
At Quai Santé's emergency care, at Montreux station, radiology is right there on site: you are examined, X-rayed and directed to the right care on the same floor, without an appointment. And if follow-up is needed, our 3 orthopaedic surgeons cover the lower and upper limbs, from diagnosis to rehabilitation, with a physiotherapy partner in the same building.
A joint that's worrying you? Walk-in emergency care at Montreux station, or an orthopaedic consultation by appointment on 021 964 30 00.
This information is general and does not replace a medical consultation. In a life-threatening emergency, call 144. Medical disclaimer
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