Sprains and strains are very common injuries, and while they’re often mentioned together, they’re quite different.
Sprain vs. Strain: What’s the Difference?
Sprains and strains have similar symptoms, but they occur in different body parts. A sprain is the stretching or tearing of ligaments, which connect bones. For example, an ankle sprain is an injury to ligaments in the ankle joint.
A strain, on the other hand, is an injury that involves stretching or tearing a muscle or tendon, which connect muscles to bones. Strains are not uncommon in the lower back or the hamstring.
What Are the Signs?
Swelling and bruising are both common symptoms of a sprain or strain. Swelling typically occurs shortly after the injury, while bruising may not appear until hours later or may not show at all. Bruising also may occur some distance from the affected joint, as blood from damaged tissue seeps along muscles and around the joint before coming close to the skin.