What Do You Want to Know About Sprains and Strains?
Sprains and strains are injuries to the body, often resulting from
physical activity. These injuries are common and can range from minor to
severe, depending on the incident. Most sprains and strains are minor
and don’t require medical attention.
Sprains occur at joints and
affect ligaments, which connect bone to bone. Strains affect muscles or
tendons, which connect muscle to bone. They most often occur at the
calf, thigh, or groin.
What Causes Sprains and Strains?
Sprains occur when a joint is twisted while bearing some weight. Many
people are familiar with rolling, twisting, or spraining an ankle. This
is often caused by stepping or falling off of a higher platform, like a
sidewalk. Sprains can also occur at the knee from pivoting, at the wrist
from falls, and from accidents or collisions. Sprains can occur at any
joint and result in the ligaments becoming stretched. A sprain can range
from mild to severe. In severe cases, the ligament can actually
rupture, causing tissue damage and complete instability of the joint.
Strains are caused when too much force is placed on a muscle. They
often occur during weight-bearing activities that stretch the muscle.
Repetitive motions, overusing a muscle, or working beyond your physical
ability may cause a strain. Strains are also known as pulled muscles and
can range from mild, with minimal tear, to severe, with significant
tearing. Acute strains happen after a one-time incident. Chronic strains
are caused by repetitive activity.
Risk Factors of Sprains and Strains
You are more at risk for sprains and strains if you:
- have a current or prior injury to the muscles or joints
- have limited flexibility
- engage in physical activity beyond your ability
- fail to properly warm up before strenuous physical activity
Symptoms of Sprains and Strains
Sprains are usually noticeable when they occur. But sometimes a minor
sprain will happen without your noticing. The primary symptoms of
sprains include limited mobility, inflammation, pain, swelling, and
bruising. You might hear a popping noise at the time of injury.
Strains are often accompanied by pain, cramping, swelling, muscle
spasms, and stiffness or soreness in the muscle. As with sprains, you
may be aware of the exact movement or activity that created the strain,
or you may notice symptoms only later.
Diagnosing Sprains and Strains
To diagnose sprains and strains, your doctor will look at the impacted
area and ask questions about the injury or accident. Your doctor might
take an X-ray of the area to ensure that there are no broken or chipped
bones. Usually, you will be sent home with an at-home treatment and a
care plan.
Treating Sprains and Strains
For these types of
injuries, you will need to follow the RICE treatment (rest, ice,
compression, and elevation). Over-the-counter pain medication can also
be used to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. Topical creams and
gels may also help decrease pain and facilitate healing. For severe
injuries, you might be required to wrap the joint or wear a soft cast. A
doctor may recommend physical therapy to rehabilitate and strengthen
the affected area.
Other treatment options for sprains and
strains include massage, chiropractic treatment, and acupuncture. In
rare cases, surgery may be required to repair damaged tissues.
Both sprains and strains can limit physical ability until they heal. Be
sure to use caution and protect your body, especially the joints, until
you are fully healed. Once the sprain or strain is healed, return to
physical activity carefully. Even though you feel better, the tissues
might not be completely healed or as stable as they once were. Consider
wrapping or wearing a brace when you resume activity, in order to
protect the injured area.
Article Sources:
Sprains and
Strains: What’s the Difference? (2007). American Academy of Orthopaedic
Surgeons. Retrieved August 14, 2013, from
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00111
Sprains, Strains and Tears. (n.d.). American College of Sports Medicine. Retrieved August 14, 2013, from
http://www.acsm.org/…/brochur…/sprains-strains-and-tears.pdf
Sprains and Strains. (2011). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved August 14, 2013, from
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sprains-and-strains/DS00343
Sprains and Strains. (n.d.). MedlinePlus. Retrieved August 14, 2013, from
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/sprainsandstrains.html
