Quick answer: It’s often hard to tell a sprain from a fracture without an X-ray. Signs that point to a break include a snap at the time of injury, severe pain over the bone, a visible deformity, or not being able to put any weight on it. Urgent care with on-site X-ray can diagnose and splint most sprains and simple fractures. Go to the ER for a bone poking through the skin, a badly deformed limb, numbness or a cold, pale hand or foot, or a hip, thigh, neck or back injury.
Ankles, wrists and fingers are the most common joints people injure, from sports, falls, stairs and missteps.
New to PACS? Start with our complete guide to urgent care in Alexandria, VA.
Sprain vs. fracture: common signs
| Sprain | Fracture | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Stretched or torn ligament | Broken or cracked bone |
| Pain | Around the joint, often soft tissue | Sharp pain directly over the bone |
| Sound at injury | Sometimes a pop | Sometimes a snap or crack |
| Shape | Swollen, but normal shape | May look bent or out of place |
| Weight bearing | Painful but often possible | Often impossible |
Some fractures, like small cracks in the wrist or foot, can look and feel like a sprain. That’s why an X-ray matters.
First aid: RICE
- Rest the injured area
- Ice for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, with a cloth between ice and skin
- Compression with an elastic bandage, not too tight
- Elevation above heart level when possible
Urgent care with X-ray
At PACS, you can get an exam, digital X-ray and a splint or brace in one visit. If you need a specialist, we’ll refer you to orthopedics. Learn more about broken bone care. For self-pay patients, an X-ray is $99 plus the visit charge.
Go to the ER for
- Bone through the skin or an open wound over the injury
- A badly bent or deformed arm or leg
- Numbness, tingling, or a cold, pale or blue hand or foot
- Injuries to the hip, thigh, pelvis, neck or back
- Injuries after a car crash or a high fall
Frequently asked questions
Can urgent care set a broken bone?
Urgent care can diagnose and splint most simple fractures. Fractures that need to be realigned or operated on are referred to orthopedics or the ER.
How long does a sprain take to heal?
Mild sprains often improve in 1 to 3 weeks. More severe sprains can take 6 weeks or more.
Should I walk on a sprained ankle?
Only as pain allows. If you can’t take four steps, get an X-ray.
Get care today at PACS Urgent Care
PACS Urgent Care – Alexandria
3481 N Beauregard St, Alexandria, VA 22302
Open 7 days a week, 8 AM – 8 PM · Walk-ins welcome
Call (571) 656-8838 · Get directions · New patient guide
This article is for general information and isn’t a substitute for medical advice. If you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911.
