Sprains and strains

Sprains and strains are common injuries that occur during sports and other activities. While minor sprains and strains usually heal on their own, a severe injury may require a medical evaluation.

At Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic, our orthopedic specialists are trusted experts. Every day, they help people across the region heal faster and get back to the things they love to do.

What are sprains and strains?

Sprains and strains occur when the soft tissues around your bones and joints become stretched or torn. A sprain is an injury to a ligament, which connects two or more bones at a joint. A strain is an injury to a muscle or a tendon, which connects muscle to bone.

Cause of sprains and strains

In a sprain, an action forces your joint out of its normal position, causing the ligaments to stretch or tear. Rolling an ankle and twisting a knee are common causes of sprains.

Strains happen when you pull or tear a muscle or tendon. They can be sudden (acute) injuries, such as when you fall, lift a heavy object the wrong way or put too much stress on a muscle. Strains can also develop over time when you move the same way over and over again (repetitive stress).

Strains and sprains symptoms

Symptoms of sprains and strains are similar:

• Sprains cause pain, swelling, bruising and difficulty moving.
• Strains cause pain, swelling, muscle spasms and difficulty moving.

Strains and sprains diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on an evaluation of your symptoms and a physical exam. Your doctor may also order an X-ray to make sure you don’t have a broken bone or an MRI to look at the soft tissues.

Sprains and strains risk factors

Anyone can get a sprain or strain. Those most at risk include:

• Athletes and weekend warriors
• Older people, due to an increased chance of falls
• Workers whose jobs require lifting or repetitive movements

Sprains and strains prevention

Sprains and strains are preventable. To protect yourself:

• Avoid exercising or sports activities when you’re tired or in pain
• Eat a well-balanced diet to keep your muscles strong
• Exercise regularly
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Make your home safe to prevent falls
• Stay in proper physical condition to play a sport
• Warm up and stretch before playing a sport
• Wear protective equipment
• Wear shoes that fit well and replace them when they become worn

Sprains and strains treatment

You can treat most sprains and strains at home. To reduce swelling and pain in the first few days, doctors usually recommend:

• Rest: Avoid using the injured area.
• Ice: Use ice for 20 minutes, four to eight times a day (wrap the ice pack in a cloth or towel to protect your skin).
• Compression: Wrap the area using a compression bandage.
• Elevation: Prop the injured area up on a pillow.
• Medication: Take over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

After a few days, your doctor may give you exercises to do at home or refer you to physical therapy. Exercises and stretching promote healing, prevent stiffness, and increase strength and flexibility. Your doctor or physical therapist will tell you when you can resume normal activities. Beginning too soon can increase your chance of injuring the area again.