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.
Other signs and symptoms will vary depending on the severity of your injury, but, in general, you can expect the following symptoms, according to the New York Times Health Guide:
Sprains:
● Pain
● Swelling of the infected area
● Bruising at the injury site
● Trouble moving joint
● Pain when moving joint
● "Popping" sound in the joint
Strains:
A strain may be acute, which comes on suddenly when straining or pulling a muscle too far or too quickly. Slipping and falling, lifting a heavy object, or running can cause an acute strain, for example.
A chronic strain may be the result of repetitive muscle movement. Often, these types of strains occur from job-related duties or sports, including gymnastics, tennis, rowing or golf.
● Pain
● Swelling at the injury site
● Muscle spasms
● Trouble moving joint
● Pain when moving joint
● Blood collecting under the skin at the site of the strain, called a hematoma, which may look like a large, dark red bruise
What Do I Do?
Initial treatment of both sprains and strains follows the RICE formula. If you suspect that you’ve sprained or strained something, you should:
● Rest: Rest your injured area. Don’t try to put weight on a sprained ankle or strained hamstring.
● Ice: Ice the injury to ease pain and minimize swelling.
● Compression: Wrap an ace bandage around the injury site immediately to limit movement and prevent yourself from developing further injury.
● Elevate: Elevate the injured limb so that you can minimize swelling
Aspirin, ibuprofen and other over-the-counter pain relievers may help ease the pain and discomfort of a sprain or strain, or your doctor may suggest a prescription painkiller if you have a severe sprain or strain.
Most mild sprains and strains are treatable at home using the formula above. However, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends that you seek medical attention if any of the following apply to you or your injury:
● Your pain is particularly severe.
● You can’t move the injured joint or muscle.
● You cannot take more than a few steps without serious pain.
● You cannot put any weight on the injured limb, or it gives way when you try to use it.
● The injured area looks crooked or has unusual lumps or bumps, beyond just swelling.
● You have numbness, discoloration or coldness in any part of the injured area.
● Symptoms persist after a few days of self-treatment.
These symptoms may indicate that you have a more severe injury, such as a fracture, or that your sprain or strain is severe enough to require professional medical attention. In severe cases, surgery may be required to repair torn ligaments, muscles or tendons.
How Did This Happen?
Sprains and strains can happen to anyone, physically fit or otherwise. However, there are some risk factors that increase your risk of developing a sprain or strain, reports the Mayo Clinic:
● Poor Conditioning: Physically fit athletes still can suffer from sprains and strains, but lack of conditioning, which leaves muscles weak, increases the likelihood of sustaining an injury.
● Poor Diet: Eating a well-balanced diet to keep your bones and muscles strong can minimize the risk of sprains and strains, whereas eating junk food and not getting required nutrition can put you at an increased risk of injury.
● Manage Your Weight: Excess weight can put added stress on the structures of the lower back, legs and ankles and can increase your risk of developing a sprain or strain.
● Fatigue: If your muscles are tired, they may provide poor support for your joints. This could put extra stress on your joints.
● Poor Warm-ups/No Warm-ups: If you’re about to perform physical activity, a proper warm-up is essential. Warming up loosens the muscles and helps to improve your range of motion. These stretches are essential for minimizing your risk of injury during exercise or while playing sports.
● Environmental Factors: Be wary of uneven, slippery surfaces (such as a raised bump in the sidewalk or a root in the ground). These obstacles can cause a trip or slip, which can put stress on your joints.
● Poor Footwear: Wearing unsteady stilettos or other ill-fitting or poorly maintained footwear can make you more prone to sprains and strains.