How do i tell if my wrist is broken or sprained without going to the doctor?

X-ray to be sure: Unless there is an obvious deformity you may not be able to tell the difference with the naked eye. While a sprain is an injury to the ligaments of the wrist, and a fracture is damage to the bone, strains of muscles and tendons are also possible. In any case, common symptoms may be pain, limited strength/ motion, swelling, and/ or bruising. Have an x-ray to be sure!