How can you tell if it's sprained or broken?

The only definitive way to diagnose a fracture is with an X-ray. Hairline fractures, however, are not always visible initially. It may take seven to 10 days for changes in the injured bone to show up, indicating a fracture. Bruising and swelling are similar for both sprains and fractures.

There's a common myth that if you can the move the limb or can walk on it, it isn’t broken. This is not true. Even though they’re painful, fractured bones can still have full range of motion and weight-bearing ability. Sometimes, sprains can be severe enough they need to be treated like a fracture. But remember, tenderness around a bone does not indicate a fracture. The tenderness usually indicates that a tendon and/or ligament injury has occurred.