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Sprains and Strains
Introduction
A sprain is a stretched or torn ligament. Ligaments are tissues that connect bones at a
joint. A strain is a stretched or torn muscle or tendon. A tendon is a tissue that
connects muscle to bone.
Falling, twisting or getting hit can all cause a sprain. A strain is caused by twisting or
pulling a muscle or tendon. Treatment can help sprains and strains heal.
This reference summary explains sprains and strains. It talks about symptoms, causes
and diagnosis of sprains and strains. It also covers their treatment and prevention.
Ligaments, Muscles and Tendons
Ligaments are fibrous bands of tissue. They
connect two or more bones at a joint. Ligaments
keep a joint stable by holding the bones of the joint
together. Injury to a ligament can cause the
affected joint to become unstable. When a
ligament is stretched or torn, it is called a sprain.
One or more ligaments can be injured at the same
time. Ankle and wrist sprains are common.
Ligaments
Muscles are found throughout the body. They
come in many different sizes and shapes. This
allows them to do many types of jobs. Muscles can
help you move around and lift or push objects. Some of the biggest and most powerful
muscles in the body are in the back, near the spine. These muscles help keep a
person upright and standing tall. Other muscles have different functions. For example,
the heart is a muscle that pumps blood throughout the body. All muscles are made of
an elastic tissue. Small fibers make up each muscle.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2017, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 02/25/2017
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Tendons are the tough cords of tissue that attach muscles to bones. They help your
muscles move your bones by pushing or pulling the bones in different ways. Tendons
can be small, like those found in the hand or ankle. Tendons can also be large, like the
Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. When
a muscle or tendon is stretched or torn, it is called a strain. Back and hamstring muscle
strains are common. The hamstring muscle is a major muscle in the back of the thigh.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of sprains and strains can vary, depending on the severity of the
injury.
A sprain or strain commonly causes the affected area to be:
• Painful.
• Swollen.
• Weak.
A sprain can also cause:
• Bruising.
• Feeling of a pop or tear when the injury happens.
• Inability to use the affected joint.
A strain can also cause:
• Cramping.
• Muscle spasms.
• Trouble moving the muscle or tendon.
Mild sprains and strains may be treated at home. But you should see a health care
provider if you:
• Are in severe pain.
• Can’t move the affected joint.
• Can’t walk without a large amount of pain.
• Have numbness in the affected area.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2017, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 02/25/2017
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Causes
Many things can cause a sprain. Falling, twisting or getting hit can force a joint out of
its normal position. This can cause ligaments around the joint to stretch or tear.Sprains
can happen if people:
• Experience a sudden blow to the knee.
• Fall and land on an arm.
• Fall on the side of their foot.
• Twist a knee.
• Walk or exercise on an uneven surface.
A strain is caused by twisting or pulling a muscle or tendon. Strains can happen
suddenly. In other cases, they can develop over days or
weeks.
A sudden, or acute, strain is caused by:
• A recent injury, such as slipping on ice.
• Lifting heavy objects the wrong way.
• Over-stressing the muscles. This can happen with
frequent running, jumping or throwing.
Chronic, or long-term, strains are usually caused by moving
the muscles and tendons the same way over and over.
This can happen with certain jobs or by participating in
sports, such as:
• Football.
• Golf.
• Gymnastics.
• Rowing.
• Soccer.
• Tennis.
Some people are at greater risk of getting a sprain or strain. These people:
• Are overweight.
• Are in poor physical condition.
• Do not properly warm-up before being physically active.
• Have a history of sprains or strains.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2017, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 02/25/2017
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Diagnosis
Your health care provider will ask you about your symptoms and medical history. A
physical exam will also be performed.
During the physical exam, your health care
provider will check for swelling. He or she will
also check for tenderness or pain in the affected
area. This can help determine the severity of the
injury. Your health care provider may also move
the affected joint or limb in a variety of ways.
This can help determine which muscle, tendon
or ligament has been injured.
X-rays may be done to rule out a bone injury,
such as a broken bone. An MRI is another
imaging test that can help determine the severity
of the injury. An MRI uses strong magnets to
create images of the inside of the body. You
may receive contrast material by injection to make abnormal areas easier to see.
Treatment
Treatment of sprains and strains depends on the joint involved. It also depends on the
severity of the injury.
Treatment for sprains and strains usually involves:
• Resting the injured area.
• Icing it.
• Wearing a bandage or device that compresses the
area.
• Using medicines.
To reduce swelling and pain in the first day or two, health
care providers usually recommend resting the injured
area. If the ankle or knee is hurt, you may need to use
crutches or a cane to get around. Put the injured ankle,
knee, elbow or wrist up on a pillow when sitting. Ice
should be placed on the injured area for 20 minutes at a
time. You may be told to do this four to eight times each day.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2017, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 02/25/2017
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Wearing a bandage or a device that compresses the injured area can also help reduce
swelling and pain. Your health care provider may recommend taking medicines, such
as aspirin or ibuprofen. These medicines can help with pain and swelling as well.
Later treatment for sprains and strains might include exercise and physical therapy.
Exercise helps to prevent stiffness and to increase strength. Some people need
physical therapy. Physical therapy helps strengthen the injured area to make it more
stable. You may need to go to physical therapy for several weeks.
Surgery may be needed if you have a torn ligament or ruptured muscle. Your health
care provider will tell you when you can start to do normal activities, including sports. If
you begin too soon, you can injure the area again.
Prevention
While you cannot prevent all sprains and strains, there are some steps you can take to
avoid these injuries. To help prevent sprains and strains, you should avoid exercising
or playing sports when tired or in pain. Tired or painful muscles are more likely to be
injured. Eat a well-balanced diet every day. This can help keep your muscles strong
and healthy.
Try to maintain a healthy weight. Extra weight puts more pressure on joints and
muscles, which can increase the chances of injuries like sprains and strains.
Exercising every day can help you maintain a healthy weight. Avoid tripping or falling.
If you can, stay inside when the weather makes for slippery conditions. Otherwise,
make sure to put sand or salt on your front steps or sidewalks where there are icy
spots. Wear shoes that fit well.
Get new shoes when needed, such as if the heel
wears down on one side. Warm up and stretch before
playing a sport. This loosens the muscles and makes
them less likely to be injured. Always wear protective
equipment when playing sports or riding a bicycle.
The equipment helps keep you safe in case of injury.
Run on flat surfaces. This decreases the amount of
pressure on joints when running.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2017, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 02/25/2017
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Summary
A sprain is a stretched or torn ligament. A strain is a stretched or torn muscle or
tendon. A sprain or strain commonly causes the affected area to be:
• Painful.
• Swollen.
• Weak.
Falling, twisting or getting hit can force a joint out of its normal position and cause a
sprain. A strain is caused by twisting or pulling a muscle or tendon. This may be a
result of an injury or repetitive movement of muscles and tendons, such as with sports
or certain jobs.
Treatment usually involves:
• Resting the injured area.
• Icing it.
• Wearing a bandage or device that
compresses the area.
• Using medicines.
• Exercise.
• Physical therapy.
Surgery may be needed if you have a torn
ligament or ruptured muscle.
While you cannot prevent all sprains or
strains, there are some steps you can take to avoid these injuries. Talk to your health
care provider to learn more about how to prevent sprains and strains.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2017, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 02/25/2017
opfn0101
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