Questions and Answers About Sprains and Strains
This fact sheet contains general information about
sprains and strains, which are both very common injuries. Individual sections
describe what sprains and strains are, where they usually occur, what their
signs and symptoms are, how they are treated, and how they can be prevented. At
the end is a list of key words to help you understand the terms used in the fact
sheet. If you have further questions, you may wish to discuss them with your
doctor.
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Treatment for Exercise & Sports Injuries
Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
 Sports injuries refer to the kinds of injury that occur
during sports or exercise. While it is possible to injure any part of the body when playing
sports, the term sports injuries is commonly used to refer to injuries of the
musculoskeletal system.
Some of the most common sports injuries include:
- Sprains—tears to the
ligaments that join the ends of bones together. The ankles, knees, and wrists
are commonly affected by sprains.
- Strains—pulls or tears
of muscles or tendons (the tissues that attach the muscles to the bones)
- "Shin splints"—pain
along the outside front of the lower leg, commonly
seen in runners
- Achilles tendonitis
or rupture of the Achilles tendon—These injuries involve the large band of tissue that connects the calf muscles
to the heel
- Fractures of the bones
- Dislocation of joints
Acute injuries usually
occur suddenly while participating in sports or exercise. They may result in
sudden and severe pain, the inability to bear weight on a limb, or inability to move the affected part of the body. Chronic
injuries usually result from overuse of one area of the body over a period of
time. Symptoms of chronic injuries include soreness, dull aching pain, and pain
during participation in physical activity.
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What is the difference between a sprain and a strain?
A sprain is an injury to a ligament--a stretching
or a tearing. One or more ligaments can be injured during a sprain. The severity
of the injury will depend on the extent of injury to a single ligament (whether
the tear is partial or complete) and the number of ligaments involved.
A strain is an injury to either a muscle or a
tendon. Depending on the severity of the injury, a strain may be a simple
overstretch of the muscle or tendon, or it can result in a partial or complete
tear.
What causes a sprain?
A sprain can result from a fall, a sudden twist, or a blow to
the body that forces a joint out of its
normal position. This results in an overstretch or tear of the ligament
supporting that joint. Typically, sprains occur when people fall and land on an
outstretched arm, slide into base, land on the side of their foot, or twist a
knee with the foot planted firmly on the
ground.
Where do sprains usually occur?
Although sprains can occur in both the upper and lower parts of
the body, the most common site is the ankle. Ankle sprains are the most common
injury in the United States and often occur during sports or recreational
activities. Approximately 1 million ankle injuries occur each year, and 85
percent of them are sprains.
The talus bone and the ends of two of the lower leg bones (tibia
and fibula) form the ankle joint (see fig. 1).
This joint is supported by several lateral (outside) ligaments and medial
(inside) ligaments. Most ankle sprains happen when the foot turns inward as a
person runs, turns, falls, or lands on the ankle after a jump. This type of
sprain is called an inversion injury. One or more of the lateral ligaments are
injured, usually the anterior talofibular ligament. The calcaneofibular ligament
is the second most frequently torn ligament.
The knee is another common site for a sprain. A blow to the knee
or a fall is often the cause; sudden twisting can also result in a sprain (see
fig. 2).
Sprains frequently occur at the wrist, typically when people
fall and land on an outstretched hand.
Figures 1 and 2
Next: What are the signs and symptoms of a sprain? »
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