Sprains vs Fractures- Dr Ritesh Khokhar - Chandigarh

Sprains and fractures are common injuries. Sprains are when you stretch or tear the ligaments around a joint. They vary in severity depending on how much damage is done.

Fractures are when a bone breaks to some degree. Hairline fractures are tiny cracks, partial breaks are larger cracks, and complete fractures are when a bone breaks into two or more pieces. Fractures can also be simple, meaning bone doesn’t break through the skin, or compound, meaning the bone does break through the skin and is visible.

WHERE TO GET TREATMENT FOR SPRAINS AND FRACTURES
If you’ve sprained a particular joint before and know that’s what you’re experiencing, you probably also know how to treat it and may not need to see a doctor. However, if you don’t know what you’re dealing with or it’s clear you have a broken bone, you should seek prompt medical attention.

The decision to go to an urgent care clinic or emergency room depends on the severity of the break. If the injury has caused significant misshaping of the bone or the bone has penetrated the skin (a compound fracture), you should go to an emergency room. If it’s a minor break with little or no change in the shape of the bone, an urgent care clinic can probably treat the injury.

Of course, if you aren’t sure, it’s best to be safe and go to an emergency room.

For more information consult our expert Dr Ritesh Khokhar at Fortis Hospital Mohali