Sprains
What is a sprain?
A sprain is an injury — usually a stretching or a tearing — to a ligament. One or more ligaments can be injured during a sprain. The severity will depend on the extent of injury to a single ligament (whether the tear is partial or complete) and the number of ligaments involved.
A strain, on the other hand, is an injury to either a muscle or a tendon. Depending on the severity of the injury, a strain may be a simple overstretch of the muscle or tendon, or it can result in a partial or complete tear.
A sprain can result from a fall, a sudden twist, or a blow to the body that forces a joint out of its normal position. This results in an overstretch or tear of the ligament supporting that joint. Typically, sprains occur when people fall and land on an outstretched arm, slide into base, land on the side of their foot, or twist a knee with the foot planted firmly on the ground. Although sprains can occur in both the upper and lower parts of the body, the most common site is the ankle. Ankle sprains are the most common injury in the United States and often occur during sports or recreational activities. The knee is another common site for a sprain. A blow to the knee, sudden twisting, or a fall can cause a knee sprain. Wrist sprains are also very common, usually caused by someone falling and landing on their outstretched hand.
What are the signs and symptoms of a sprain?
The usual signs and symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and loss of the ability to move the joint. However, these signs and symptoms can vary in intensity, depending on the severity of the sprain. Sometimes people feel a pop or tear when the injury happens.
