What is the difference between a sprain and a fracture and how can I tell which one I have suffered?
A fracture is a break in a bone, which can result from an accident or other traumatic injury. A fracture rarely includes surgery and is usually treated by immobilizing the bone with a cast or a splint, which allows the broken bones to grow back together. A sprain is an injury of the ligaments, the rubber-band like tissues that connect bones together. When the ligaments are stretched past their normal range of motion, the result can include swelling and severe pain. A sprain will heal with rest, but a fractured bone must be set to heal.
