Download Caring for Sprains, Strains, and Contusions

Caring for Sprains, Strains, and Contusions
What is a Sprain?
What is a Strain?
What is a Contusion?
A sprain is an overstretching or tearing of
ligaments, which are softtissues that connect bone to
bone. Sprains are a result of
trauma such as falling or
twisting and are commonly
seen in knees, ankles,
wrists, and fingers.
Strains, also referred to as
“pulls”, result from overstretching or tearing of a
muscle or tendon. Tendons
are tissues that attach
muscle to bone. Strains are
a result of excessive muscle
contraction or from overuse
type repetitive movements.
Strains are often seen in the
hamstrings, quadriceps, and
muscles of the back.
Contusions or bruises are an
injury to tissue or bone
resulting from fall or a blow
to the area. These forces
usually cause blood vessels
to rupture resulting in
discoloration beneath the
skin.
Signs and Symptoms
Sprains and strains have similar signs and symptoms; the difference is in their location. Sprains occur
within a joint space while strains occur within a muscle or along a tendon. Symptoms include: pain,
spasm, swelling, discoloration and muscle weakness. Contusions are usually blue or purple at first
and can be quite painful. Throughout the healing process, skin color often changes to shades of
yellow and green.
Treatment and return-to-activity
Treatment of for these injuries will depend on the extent of the damage done to the area. In most
cases, the R.I.C.E. principle will aid in pain and swelling reduction:
Rest: rest the injured area from painful activity.
Ice: apply cold to the area 20 minutes every hour.
Compression: Wrap the injured area with an elastic bandage starting at the point furthest from the heart.
Elevation: Keep the injured body part elevated above the heart as much as possible.
Activity modifications should be made during the healing process. Healing can be improved with
rehabilitation exercises that restore range-of-motion, strength, and normal function. Return-to-activity
should be gradual with the aid of protective bracing or strapping.
The information in this document is from the National Athletic Trainer’s Association’s Activity Health Tips:
http://www.nata.org/consumer/sprainsandstrains.htm. This information is not intended to be, and should not be used as, a substitute for
appropriate medical care. For more information on the Athletic Trainers’ Society of New Jersey, or how a certified athletic trainer can serve your
healthcare needs, please visit us on the web at: www.atsnj.org