A slip on the ice can be tough on the ankles

Most people don't often realize, warned Dairman, that sprains and fractures often occur at the same time and a bad sprain can mask a fracture. "Just because you can walk on your ankle or foot after a fall doesn't mean you don't have a fracture."

Dairman advises "anyone who falls and has a great deal of swelling, bruising, and difficulty with walking to seek medical attention," to prevent further damage that can prolong recovery.

If that's not possible, it's best to follow the RICE strategy -- an acronym for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.

"Rest it immediately after the injury; apply ice to it, 20 minutes on 20 minutes off; apply compression, usually with an ACE wrap; and elevate it above heart level or at least above the hip to reduce swelling," Dairman explained.

"Sometimes a P is added to it to make it PRICE therapy, which is protection in the form of a cast or splint," he added.

Never soak the injured ankle or foot in warm water, Dairman stressed. "That's absolutely the wrong thing to do because that will increase the swelling, increase the pain, and prolong the injury," he said.

According to the ACFAS website -- FootPhysicians.com -- symptoms of ankle sprains and fractures overlap, but, in contrast to sprains, fractures are associated with pain at the site of the fracture that can extend from the foot to the knee. Also fractures often involve significant swelling, blisters over the fracture site, and bruising soon after the injury.

A fracture is obvious if bone protrudes through the skin, which is a sign of a compound fracture. This requires immediate attention.