What does it mean when you fall on your ankle and it pops?

A “popping” sound is very common to hear at the moment when you sprains your ankle. A “cracking” noise means it’s most likely a fractured bone. Swelling can be normal for this type of injury, but if your ankle appears deformed or crooked at the same time, it’s most likely a fracture. Numbness also indicates a fracture.

Does your ankle pop when you fracture it?

A sprain may occur silently, or in severe cases there may be a popping sound. With a fracture, you might hear a crack.

What is the popping noise when you sprain your ankle?

A popping sound following a sprained ankle can indicate a loose tendon or ligament that is slapping against the ankle bone. This loosening is often temporary, in which case things shortly return to normal. Other times, surgery could be needed to repair tendons or ligaments that have become permanently stretched.

How do I know if my ankle is sprained or fractured?

Both ankle sprains and fractures result from similar activities, such as tripping, falling, or twisting, and occur when the ankle is stressed at an angle. The difference is that sprains result when there is damage to the ligament, whereas ankle fractures require a break in the bone.

Can walking on a sprained ankle make it worse?

Yes. That’s the very short answer. According to the National Association of Athletic Trainers, ankle injuries, including sprains, are very often undertreated. Ignoring treatment, including excessive movement of the ankle through unnecessary walking, leads to a greater risk of worsening the injury.

How do you rule out a broken ankle?

If you have a broken ankle, you may experience some of the following signs and symptoms:

  1. Immediate, throbbing pain.
  2. Swelling.
  3. Bruising.
  4. Tenderness.
  5. Deformity.
  6. Difficulty or pain with walking or bearing weight.

Can ankle ligament tear heal itself?

Nearly all isolated low ankle sprains can be treated without surgery. Even a complete ligament tear (Grade 3) will heal without surgical repair if it is immobilized and rehabilitated appropriately.