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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 Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time.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 opfn0101 1 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 opfn0101 2 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 opfn0101 3 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 opfn0101 4 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 opfn0101 5 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 6