What’s the difference between sprains and strains?

A sprain is an injury to a ligament (tissue that connects two or more bones at a joint). When a sprain happens, one or more ligaments is stretched or torn.

A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon (fibrous cords of tissue that connect muscle to bone). In a strain, a muscle or tendon is stretched or torn.

How do you get them?

Sprains occur most often in the ankle. However, if you fall and land on their hand, you can sprain your wrist. Skiing and other sports can make it more likely for you to sprain your thumb.

Strains are most common in your back and the hamstring muscle in the back of your thigh.

Certain sports can make it more likely for you to have a strain in your back or legs. Examples include:

• Soccer
• Football
• Hockey
• Wrestling
• Boxing

If you play sports that use your hands and arms a lot, you may be more likely to have a strain in your arm or hand. For example:

• Gymnastics
• Tennis
• Rowing
• Golf

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of a sprain include:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Inability to use the joint

Strains

In addition to pain, symptoms of a strain include:

• Muscle spasms
• Swelling
• Cramping
• Difficulty moving

If you tear a muscle or tendon completely, it is very painful and hard to move.

What causes sprains and strains?

Sprains

Many things can cause a sprain. Falling, twisting, or getting hit can force your joint out of its normal position. This can cause ligaments around your joint to stretch or tear. Sprains usually happen when you:

• Fall and land on your arm
• Fall on the side of your foot
• Twist a knee

Strains

A strain happens when you twist or pull a muscle or tendon. Strains can happen suddenly or develop over days or weeks. A sudden or acute strain is caused by:

• A recent injury
• Lifting heavy objects incorrectly
• Overstressing your muscles

Chronic strains usually happen when you move the muscles and tendons the same way over and over (repetitive motion).

Testing

Your doctor checks for a sprain or strain by:

• Asking how the injury occurred
• Examining the area
• Ordering an x-ray to make sure no bones are broken

Your doctor may order an MRI to look closely at the area of the injury or pain. An MRI is a test that uses magnetic energy to look inside the body.

How are they treated?

Treatments for sprains and strains are the same. To reduce swelling and pain in the first day or two, doctors usually say to:

• Rest the injured area. If the ankle or knee is hurt, your doctor may tell you to use crutches or a cane.
• Put ice on the injury for 20 minutes 4 to 8 times a day.
• Compress (squeeze) the injury using special bandages, casts, boots, or splints. Your doctor will tell you which one is best for you and how tight it should be.
• Put the injured ankle, knee, elbow, or wrist up on a pillow.
• Take medicines, such as aspirin or ibuprofen.

After treating pain and swelling, your doctor may tell you to exercise the injured area. This helps to prevent stiffness and increase strength. In addition, you may need physical therapy. Your doctor or physical therapist will tell you when you can start to do normal activities, including sports. If you begin too soon, you can injure the area again.

Managing sprains and strains

The goal is to get you back to your normal everyday activities, including sports if possible. You should work closely with your doctor or physical therapist to make sure you are ready. It is important that you have the following before returning to normal activity or sports:

• Normal motion
• Flexibility
• Strength

The amount of time you need to fully heal after a sprain or strain depends on the person and the type of injury.

Preventing sprains and strains

You can help prevent sprains and strains by:

• Avoiding exercise or playing sports when tired or in pain.
• Eating a well-balanced diet to keep muscles strong.
• Maintaining a healthy weight.
• Trying to avoid falling (for example, put sand or salt on icy spots on your front steps or sidewalks).
• Wearing shoes that fit well.
• Getting new shoes if the heel wears down on one side.
• Exercising every day.
• Staying in proper physical condition to play a sport.
• Warming up and stretching before playing a sport.
• Wearing protective equipment when playing.
• Running on flat surfaces.

“Strains and sprains are bound to happen for minimally active people all the way up to professional athletes”, says Dr. Alexandra Matthews, Sports Medicine physician with Orthopedic Performance Institute. “There are many treatment options, including simple RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) to more aggressive braces or injections. We regularly see both injuries and would be happy to help heal you.”

The Orthopedic Performance Institute is a comprehensive medical practice specializing in adult and pediatric orthopedics and sports medicine, and has office locations in San Antonio, Boerne, or Bulverde.

The post Treating Sprains and Strains appeared first on Orthopedic Performance.

Some injuries can result from accidents, and others can result from poor training practices or improper gear. Some people get injured when they are not in proper condition. Not warming up or stretching enough before you play sports or exercise can also lead to injuries.

Some of the most common sports injuries are:

—sprains and strains
—knee injuries
—swollen muscles
—Achilles tendon injuries
—pain along the shin bone
—fractures
—dislocations

Many sports injuries can be prevented by following safe exercise habits like stretching and wearing the proper shoes. For a complete list of ways to help avoid sports injuries, visit NIH.gov.

The Difference Between Acute and Chronic Injuries

Acute injuries occur suddenly when playing or exercising. Sprained ankles, strained backs and fractured hands are acute injuries. Signs of an acute injury include:

—sudden, severe pain
—swelling
—inability to place weight on a leg, knee, ankle, or foot
—an arm, elbow, wrist, hand or finger that is very tender
—inability to move a joint normally
—extreme leg or arm weakness
—a bone or joint that is visibly out of place

Chronic injuries happen after you play a sport or exercise for a long time. Signs of a chronic injury include:

—pain when playing
—pain when you exercise
—a dull ache when resting
—swelling

If You Get Injured…

Never try to “work through” the pain. Stop playing or exercising when it hurts! It will only cause more harm. Some injuries should be looked at by a doctor right away, while others you can treat yourself.

—the injury causes severe pain, swelling or numbness
—you can’t put any weight on the area
—an old injury has begun hurting again
—an old injury is swelling
—the joint doesn’t feel normal or feels unstable

If you don’t have any of these signs, it may be safe to treat the injury at home. If the pain or other symptoms get worse, however, you should definitely call your doctor. Use the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) method to relieve pain, reduce swelling, and speed healing.

Follow these four steps right after the injury occurs and do so for at least 48 hours:

• Rest. Reduce your regular activities. If you’ve injured your foot, ankle, or knee, take weight off of it. A crutch can help. If your right foot or ankle is injured, use the crutch on the left side. If your left foot or ankle is injured, use the crutch on the right side.
• Ice. Put an ice pack to the injured area for 20 minutes, four to eight times a day. You can use a cold pack or ice bag. You can also use a plastic bag filled with crushed ice and wrapped in a towel. Take the ice off after 20 minutes to avoid cold injury.
• Compression. Put even pressure (compression) on the injured area to help reduce swelling. You can use an elastic wrap, special boot, air cast, or splint. Ask your doctor which one is best for your injury.
• Elevation. Put the injured area on a pillow, at a level above your heart, to help reduce swelling.

If the RICE method doesn’t work, and you’re still experiencing pain and/or swelling, make an appointment with your doctor.

The physicians at Orthopedic Performance Institute are experts at identifying and correcting all types of sports injuries. Their goal is to treat your injury using the most up-to-date and effective means available. You can count on OPI to get you “back in the game.”

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