I’m sure you’ve heard of someone that has had a sprain or a strain or even experienced one yourself. Sprains and strains are common injuries that affect the soft tissues of your body. You don’t have to be an athlete to experience one of these injuries.
People of all ages and activity levels are susceptible to sprains and strains. Sometimes these injuries can be confusing to keep straight, so what is the difference between a sprain and a strain?
What is a strain?
A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon. It happens when a muscle is overstretched or torn. Strains can happen to any muscle but are more commonly seen in the low back and hamstrings.
How do strains happen?
- Muscle overuse
- Muscle fatigue
- Muscle imbalance or compensations
What is a sprain?
A sprain occurs when a ligament is overstretched or torn. Ligaments are fibrous tissues that surround our joints and connect our bones.
How do sprains happen?
- Twisting/cutting
- Falling
- Traumatic injuries- like getting tackled in football
Common symptoms of sprains and strains
- soreness or pain
- swelling and bruising
- loss of motion in the affected area
- loss of strength or stiffness in the affected area
Why is it important to take care of sprains and strains?
It is important to take proper care of your sprains and strains so that they don’t become a bigger problem. If neglected, it is possible for the tears to become bigger. In some cases, if the tear becomes too severe, it could require surgery to repair the muscle, tendon, or ligament.
It is also important to take care of your sprains and strains so that you do not end up injuring other muscles and joints. If you do end up with a muscle strain or a ligament sprain, PT can help!
How PT can help!
PT can help assist with symptom management helping you to decrease swelling and pain. PT can work with you to help regain your range of motion, stabilize your joints and strengthen your muscles to help you recover from your injury and help you to prevent re-injuring yourself.
By Alyssa Burke, PTA
