human
I'm a little confused by the difference between a sprained ankle and a broken ankle. Can you explain?
assistant
A sprained ankle is an injury to the ligaments that support the joint in the ankle. It causes pain, swelling, and difficulty walking or bearing weight on the affected foot. A broken ankle is a complete break of the bones in the lower leg. This can be caused by a direct blow to the ankle or from twisting the ankle while it's already injured. In both cases, the ankle will need medical attention for proper treatment.