Summer 96, I severely sprained my left ankle playing basketball. Came down, rolled and heard a pop. Swelled up instantly. Soft cast and crutches for several weeks, then rehab.
October 03, I broke my right ankle when I fell from a ladder. Foot instantly went numb and swelled up. The pain kicked in about 3 minutes later. Almost passed out from the pain several times. Drove myself to the hospital - 2 nights, 3 days and 2 scres later, I was in a cast and crutches for about 4 weeks, then boot for about 4 weeks.
I can tell you right now that the pain of a broken ankle is much, much worse. I was on much heavier medication (morphine, morphine, morphine) with the broken ankle and rehab is taking much longer. It's been 9 months and the ankle is still swollen and nowhere near 100%.
But I've been told by doctors, nurses and physical therapy people for the long term, a bad sprain is worse - the ankle never being the same - tendons get stretched, muscles damaged, etc. Whereas with a break, the bone heals and ankle will be the virtually the same.
I haven't had enough time to confirm this yet, but I can tell you that the sprained ankle does not have the range of motion I used to have.
Good luck with rehab.
