Sprained or Broken Ankle? Ankle Physio Bexley North & Marrickville Here Is How to Tell
Rolled your ankle and not sure if it is sprained or broken? Here is how to tell, when you need an X ray, and how our award winning physios get you walking again.
- Same day appointments
- No referral needed
- Clear answer on X rays
- ⭐5.0 Google Rating240+ reviews
- 🏆2026 Award WinnerBayside Business Awards
- ⏱️60 Minute First VisitFind the real cause
- 💳HICAPSClaim on the spot
Sprained vs Broken Ankle explained
Sprained or Broken: What Is the Difference?
A sprained ankle is a stretch or tear of the ligaments that hold the joint together. A broken ankle is a crack or break in one of the bones. Both often come from rolling your ankle, and both can swell and bruise, which is why they are so easy to mix up. The good news: a quick physio check tells you which one you have.
Does This Sound Like Your Ankle?
- You rolled your ankle and felt a pop or heard a crack
- Swelling and bruising came up fast
- It hurts to put weight on it, or you are limping
- Pain right on the bony bump of your ankle
- Not sure if you need an X ray or just rest
- Worried about missing work, games or training
Who we see with ankle injuries
- ⚽Footy and soccer players
- 🏀Netball and basketball
- 🏃Runners and trail runners
- 🎾Tennis and court sports
- 🥾Hikers and walkers
- 👟Anyone who rolled it on a kerb
Two Clinics, Same Day Appointments
Book a physio at Bexley North or Marrickville, whichever is closer to home, work or the gym. Same award winning team at both.
20 Shaw Street, Bexley North. Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm, Saturday 8am to 1pm.
Book Bexley North →Inside World Gym, 4 Carrington Road, Marrickville. Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm.
Book Marrickville →Spot the difference
Sprain vs Break Side by Side
A sprained or broken ankle can look alike in the first few hours. Here is how the two usually differ.
Where it hurts
Soft spot below or in front of the outer ankle bone, not the bone itself
Right on the bone, often the back edge or tip of the ankle bone
What it feels like
Sore and achy, often with a pop or a tearing feeling as you roll it
Sharp, deep pain, sometimes a crack heard, and pain that does not ease with rest
Swelling and bruising
Swelling and bruising around the outer ankle within hours, sometimes a lot
Swelling and bruising can look the same, sometimes with a misshapen or deformed ankle
Can you walk on it
Usually, with a limp, and walking gets a little easier each day
Often not, but some breaks still let you limp, so walking does not rule one out
Common causes
Rolling your foot inwards on uneven ground, a kerb or an awkward landing
A bigger twist, a fall from a height, a heavy tackle or a car accident
Typical recovery
1 to 3 weeks for mild sprains, 6 to 12 weeks for bigger tears
Often 6 to 12 weeks for the bone, then rehab, and longer if surgery is needed
Best first step
A physio assessment, sports taping, gentle walking and a balance and strength plan
An X ray through your GP or emergency, then physio once the bone is healing
AIt is more likely a sprain if you can take four steps and the sore spot is soft tissue, not the bone.
BIt is more likely a break if the bone itself is tender, the ankle looks out of shape, or you cannot take four steps.
A physio assessment sorts it out fast, with same day appointments at Bexley North and Marrickville, but for a suspected fracture get an X ray first.
Real Ankle and Sports Injury Recoveries
★★★★★
After suffering from repeated ankle sprains and long term immobility and stiffness, just after 5 sessions with Sam, im back to playing sports and jogging pain free and tennis is finally and thankfully back on the map.
Sam S.Treated by Sam · Google review
★★★★★
We’ve taken both our girls here, with sports injuries and he has guided and supported them through both short and long term injuries. Ari is professional, knowledgeable, honest and caring… got her back on the field stronger.
Dimi N.Treated by Ari · Google review
★★★★★
PhyzFit Physio Julian has helped me massively in returning to play injury free. I have been around many physios through football but Julian’s methods have helped me a lot.
MasonTreated by Julian · Google review
More from our 240+ Google reviews
Sprain, Break or Something Else?
A rolled ankle can mean a few different injuries. Your physiotherapist works out which one you have, because each one needs a different plan.
01Sprained Ankle
Feels like: pain and swelling on the outer ankle, sore in the soft tissue rather than on the bone.
The ligaments stretch or tear when the foot rolls in. This is the most common ankle injury, and most heal well with early movement, sports taping and balance work.
Read about ankle sprain physio →02Broken Ankle
Feels like: pain right on the bone, trouble taking four steps, sometimes a crack at the time.
One of the ankle bones cracks or breaks. It needs an X ray and care from your doctor or a fracture clinic first, then physio to rebuild strength once it heals.
03High Ankle Sprain
Feels like: pain above the ankle bone, worse when you twist or push off.
The ligaments joining your two shin bones are injured, often in contact sport. It can be mistaken for a break, and it takes longer to recover than a normal sprain.
04Chip or Avulsion Fracture
Feels like: like a bad sprain, but with one sore spot right on the bone.
A ligament pulls off a tiny flake of bone. Once a doctor has checked the X ray, many are managed much like a sprain.
05Foot Fracture
Feels like: pain on the outer edge of the midfoot, not the ankle itself.
Rolling your ankle can also break the bone at the base of the little toe. Tenderness there is one of the signs that you need an X ray.
06Stress Fracture
Feels like: pain that built up over weeks of running, with no single roll or fall.
Tiny cracks from repeated load rather than one injury. They need a break from impact and a careful return to running.
Read about stress fracture physio →Not sure which one you have? Call (02) 8021 0969
How Our Ankle Physios Sort It Out
Whether your ankle is sprained or broken, every plan is built around your sport, work and life, from Saturday netball to long shifts on your feet.
- 1
Rule Out a Fracture
A full 60 minute assessment using proven clinical rules, and an X ray referral only if you need one.
- 2
Settle the Pain
Sports taping, hands on treatment and gentle movement for a sprain. Fracture care with your doctor comes first.
- 3
Build Strength and Balance
Calf, balance and hopping drills so the ankle feels solid again, after a sprain or a healed break.
- 4
Back to Sport
Running, cutting and jumping with confidence, and far fewer repeat sprains.
Treatments we may use
- Dry needling
- Hands on therapy
- Individualised rehabilitation programming
Related conditions we treat
Your first appointment
What to Expect at Your First Ankle Physio Appointment
60minutes, one on one
with your physio
Unlike many clinics, your first visit is a full 60 minutes. That time lets your physiotherapist check for a fracture, work out exactly what you have injured and build a clear, structured plan with you.
What to wear and bring
- Shorts and the shoes you train or work in
- Any X rays, scans or referral letters you have
- Your health fund card, HICAPS lets you claim on the spot
Same day appointments available
- 0 to 10 min
Your Story
We listen to how you hurt your ankle, what you felt at the time, and what game, run or job you want to get back to.
- 10 to 30 min
Fracture Check
We press on the key bony points, watch you walk, and test your ligaments, swelling and balance.
- 30 to 40 min
Sprained or Broken?
You find out in plain English if it looks like a sprain or a possible fracture, and exactly what happens next.
- 40 to 55 min
Hands On Treatment
For a sprain, sports taping, hands on therapy and gentle movement. For a possible break, an X ray referral that day.
- 55 to 60 min
Your Plan
A structured plan and two or three simple exercises, so you know exactly what to do next.
How Long Does Each Take to Heal?
Every injury is different, but this is what recovery usually looks like for a sprain, and for a break once your doctor clears you for rehab.
- First 1 to 2 weeks
Find Out and Settle
Sprains settle with protection, sports taping and gentle walking. A suspected break gets an X ray and care from your doctor first.
- Weeks 2 to 6
Build Balance and Strength
Many people with a sprain are back to jogging and light training. A healing fracture is usually still protected while the bone knits.
- Weeks 6 to 12
Back to Sport
Running, cutting and jumping drills after a sprain, and strength and balance rehab once a fracture has healed.
Bigger sprains, high ankle sprains and fractures can take longer, and some breaks need surgery. Your physio will give you your own timeline at your first visit, or call (02) 8021 0969 to ask.
When You Need an X Ray, a Doctor or a Physio
Most rolled ankles are sprains, but some are breaks. These simple checks, based on the Ottawa ankle rules doctors use, help decide what you need.
✓Book a Physio If
These usually point to a sprain we can treat.
- You can take four steps, even with a limp
- It is sore and swollen, but not tender right on the bone
- It still hurts or feels wobbly a few days after rolling it
- It keeps rolling, or you want to get back to sport safely
!See a GP or Emergency Now If
These need urgent medical care first, before physio.
- The ankle looks out of place or deformed
- You could not take four steps straight after the injury, and still cannot
- Numbness, pins and needles or a cold, pale foot
- An open wound or bone showing near the injury
- A hot, red, swollen calf that is getting worse
?Do You Need an X Ray?
Most sprains do not. You likely do if any of these apply.
- Pain when the back edge or tip of either ankle bone is pressed, or the bone on the outer or inner midfoot
- You could not take four steps straight after the injury, or you still cannot
- If you need one, we refer you and liaise with your GP or the hospital
Unsure if it is urgent? Call (02) 8021 0969
Your options
Why See a Physio First for a Rolled Ankle?
Waiting it out, painkillers and massage can all take the edge off. Only physiotherapy checks for a fracture, tells you if it is sprained or broken, and rebuilds your ankle.
Questions first? Call (02) 8021 0969
What You Can Do at Home Right Now
Three safe things to do for a rolled ankle while you wait for your appointment. If you suspect a break, see a doctor first.
- 🦶01
Elevate It
Rest the ankle above the level of your heart a few times a day in the first 48 hours to help the swelling settle.
- 👣02
Try Four Steps
If you cannot take four steps, even limping, get an X ray before you do anything else.
- 🔤03
Draw the Alphabet
For a sprain, trace the letters with your big toe a few times a day to keep the ankle gently moving.
Still limping after a few days? Call (02) 8021 0969
?Quick answers
Sprained or Broken Ankle Quick Answers
Fast answers to the questions people search most after rolling an ankle.
Can you walk on a broken ankle?
Sometimes, yes
Some small fractures still let you limp, so walking does not rule out a break. If the bone itself is tender, or you cannot take four steps, get an X ray before anything else.
Do I need an X ray for a sprained ankle?
Usually not
Most sprains do not need one. You likely do if the back edge or tip of either ankle bone is tender, the midfoot bone is tender, or you cannot take four steps.
Does a broken ankle swell more than a sprain?
Not always
A bad sprain can swell and bruise just as much as a fracture. Swelling alone cannot tell them apart, so where it hurts and whether you can bear weight matter more.
Can a sprained ankle hurt more than a broken one?
Yes, it can
A bad sprain can be very painful, sometimes more than a small crack in the bone. Pain level alone is not a reliable guide, which is why a proper assessment matters.
Does a sprained ankle heal faster than a broken ankle?
Often, yes
Mild sprains often feel much better in 1 to 3 weeks, and bigger ones in 6 to 12. A fracture usually needs 6 to 12 weeks for the bone, then rehab to rebuild strength.
Should I see a physio or go to emergency for my ankle?
Depends on the signs
Go to emergency if the ankle looks deformed, your foot is numb or cold, or you cannot take four steps. For most other rolled ankles, a physio is a great first step, with same day appointments.
🏆 2026 Award Winner
Meet Your Award Winning Ankle Physios
Winners of Outstanding Health Improvement Services at the Bayside Local Business Awards 2026, checking sprained and broken ankles in Bexley North and Marrickville every day.
Julian De Rosa
Physiotherapist Head physio for Fraser Park FC with a Master of Physiotherapy. Has competed in ICN natural bodybuilding and is passionate about helping people with lower back pain and chronic pain.
Read bio →
Sam Nunan
Physiotherapist Head physio for the Wests Tigers reserve grade team in the NSW Cup, and formerly with the Canterbury Bulldogs junior pathways. Loves powerlifting, cricket and rugby league.
Read bio →
Ari Moushis
Physiotherapist An Ironman triathlete who is excellent with runners, cyclists and swimmers, with a background in powerlifting, tennis and golf.
Read bio →
Easy Ways to Access Ankle Physio
Claim your ankle physiotherapy on the spot with HICAPS and your health fund, or use a Medicare care plan, DVA, Workers Comp or CTP.
- 💳Private Health InsuranceAll major health funds. Claim on the spot if you have extras cover.
- 🩺Medicare Care PlanHave a GP care plan? Bring it along and we'll handle the rest.
- 🎖️DVAVeterans with a DVA referral are bulk billed.
- 👷Workers CompensationSIRA approved. We liaise with your doctor and insurer.
- 🚗Car Accident (CTP)SIRA approved CTP physiotherapy after a road accident.
- 🤝NDISSelf managed and plan managed participants welcome.
Not sure if you're covered? Call (02) 8021 0969 and we'll check for you.
Before You Book
Sprained or Broken Ankle Questions, Answered
Quick answers about telling a sprained or broken ankle apart, from our ankle physios in Bexley North and Marrickville. Still unsure? Call us on (02) 8021 0969 and we'll help you out.
Physio Bexley North
20 Shaw Street, Bexley North NSW 2207
Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm
Saturday 8am to 1pm
Physio Marrickville
4 Carrington Road, inside World Gym, Marrickville NSW 2204
Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm
You cannot always tell by feel alone. Pain right on the bony bumps of the ankle, or not being able to take four steps, points to a possible break. A physio assessment sorts it out quickly.
Sometimes, yes. Some small fractures still let you limp around, so walking does not rule out a break. If the bone itself is tender or walking is very painful, get it checked.
Most sprains do not need one. Your physiotherapist uses proven clinical rules, known as the Ottawa ankle rules, and refers you for an X ray only when the signs point to a possible fracture.
Not always. A bad sprain can swell and bruise just as much as a fracture, so swelling alone cannot tell them apart. Where it hurts and whether you can bear weight matter more.
No. You can book straight in at Bexley North or Marrickville, with same day appointments most days. You only need a referral for a Medicare care plan, DVA, Workers Compensation or CTP.
Go to emergency or your GP if the ankle looks deformed, you cannot take four steps, or your foot is numb or cold. For most other rolled ankles, a physio is a great first step.
Your first visit is a full 60 minutes, one on one. That gives us time to check for a fracture, start treatment and build a clear, structured plan.
Yes. We have HICAPS at both clinics, so you can claim on the spot. We also see Medicare care plan, DVA, Workers Compensation and CTP patients.
Ready to Feel Like Yourself Again?
Same day ankle physio in Bexley North and Marrickville, no referral needed, and an award winning team to tell you if it is sprained or broken.
Find Your Ankle Physio
Two award winning clinics. Bexley North for Kingsgrove, Earlwood, Bardwell Park, Bexley and Rockdale. Marrickville inside World Gym for Dulwich Hill, Sydenham, Petersham, Tempe and the Inner West.
Physio Bexley North
20 Shaw Street, Bexley North NSW 2207
Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm, Saturday 8am to 1pm
Physio near
- Kingsgrove
- Bardwell Park
- Earlwood
- Bexley
- Rockdale
- Turrella
Physio Marrickville
4 Carrington Road, inside World Gym
Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm, private on site parking
Physio near
- Dulwich Hill
- Sydenham
- Petersham
- Newtown
- Tempe
- Enmore
Sprained or Broken? Find Out Today
Book a 60 minute ankle physiotherapy assessment in Bexley North, close to Kingsgrove, Earlwood and Bardwell Park, or Marrickville for Dulwich Hill, Sydenham and the Inner West. Same day appointments, no referral needed.
- 2026 Award Winner
- 5.0 from 240+ Google reviews
- Same day appointments
- No referral needed
- HICAPS claim on the spot
Got a Question? Contact Us
Not sure if your ankle is sprained or broken, or if a physio is the right first step? Our admin team is happy to point you the right way.
Bexley North: Mon to Fri 7am to 7pm, Sat 8am to 1pmMarrickville: Mon to Fri 8am to 7pm
Send an Enquiry
🏆 Award Winning Clinic 2026
Your Journey to Better Health Starts With an Award Winning Team
Same day appointments available