Is It a Break or a Sprain? Only an X-Ray Can Tell, and We Offer On-Site X-Rays

An unexpected twist, fall, or accident can leave you with a painful and swollen limb that may have you asking: Is it a break or a sprain? 

While symptoms can overlap, treatment for fractures and sprains differs. The only way to know whether you have a broken bone or sprain is to get an X-ray. 

Still, you may hesitate to seek medical care because of the long wait at the emergency room. At First Response Urgent Care in Brooklyn, New York, you don’t have to wait. We offer on-site X-rays so you can skip the ER and get answers fast.

Here’s why getting an X-ray matters and how urgent care can help.

Sprain vs. break

Sprains and fractures (breaks) are musculoskeletal injuries that often result from the same incidents, falls, twists, and direct blows. But they affect different parts of the musculoskeletal system.

Sprains

A sprain occurs when you stretch or tear a ligament, the connective tissue that holds bones together. You may hear or feel a “pop” at the time of the injury, followed by pain and swelling that may worsen with movement or weight-bearing. 

The severity of a sprain can vary from mild discomfort with a mild sprain to prolonged pain and recovery with a more serious sprain that involves a tear. 

Fractures

A fracture is a break in the bone, ranging from a small crack to a full break that pierces the skin. While some fractures are obvious, others present with the same swelling and pain as a sprain, making it hard to tell without imaging. 

Breaks and sprains have varying degrees of severity, but since they cause similar symptoms, the only way to know is to get the injury checked out. 

Why an X-ray is essential

X-rays use low-level radiation to capture images of the inside of your body. Dense structures like bone and tumors absorb the most radiation, appearing white in the image. This clarity makes X-rays the best tool to confirm or rule out fractures.

If you’ve injured a limb and don’t know whether it’s a break or a sprain, getting an X-ray ensures you get the right treatment. 

First aid for your injury

Until you know the extent of your injury, treat it as if it’s a broken bone to avoid worsening the damage. First aid should include:

• Immobilization of the affected limb
• Ice to decrease swelling and pain
• Activity modification to avoid using the injured limb
• Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers

Call your primary care provider for guidance, or come in to see us at First Response Urgent Care for immediate attention. You don’t need an appointment, and we can perform X-rays here.

What to expect at urgent care

When you arrive, our team gathers information about the injury, including symptoms and cause. Our urgent care experts evaluate the injury and determine if an X-ray is needed. 

Sometimes, we can diagnose a sprain without an X-ray but may order the diagnostic imaging test to confirm.

If you have a broken bone, we apply a splint or cast and refer you to an orthopedic doctor for follow-up care. If you have a sprain, we may wrap the limb and recommend continued rest, icing, compression, and elevation (RICE) and follow-up care with your primary or a specialist.

If you’re not sure if your injury is a break or a sprain, visit the urgent care clinic nearest you. We have clinics in the Brownsville and Clinton Hill neighborhoods of Brooklyn. You can also book an appointment online or give us a call. We’re here to help you heal without the long wait.