What is the difference between a sprain and a strain?
While the terms are often used interchangeably, strains and sprains are two different medical conditions. A sprain is an injury to the ligament, a piece of tissue that connects the bones of a joint. An ankle sprain is something that often happens after a fall or during sports.
However, a strain is an injury to the muscles or tendons. Consider a hamstring strain that occurs while sprinting or a back muscle strain that occurs from repeatedly bending over. Both sprains and strains consist of over-stretching or tearing of the tissue.
What are the symptoms of a sprained ligament?
Sprains are graded on a scale based on how much tissue is injured:
- Grade 1: The ligament is stretched with little to no tearing.
- Grade 2: Has more tearing, causing the joint to become loose.
- Grade 3: This is a complete tear that may result in a very loose or unstable joint.
Common symptoms of a sprain are:
- Hearing a popping sound or feeling a pop when the injury occurs
- Pain or discomfort
- Mild swelling
- Bruising
- Redness
- Difficulty using the joint.
More severe sprains generally result in more significant swelling and pain, as well as a sense of joint looseness or an inability to use the joint.
How are sprains diagnosed?
Your doctor can usually diagnose a sprain after taking a medical history and carrying out a brief physical examination. In some cases diagnostic imaging may be required. The doctor may use an xray, ultrasound or MRI to help clarify the diagnosis.
Can sprained ligaments heal?
The short answer is, it depends. The location and extent of a sprain determines the ability of the tissue to repair itself. For example, ankle ligaments and some ligaments of the knee like the medial collateral ligament (MCL) have a good blood supply. As a result, they have great healing potential and with the right care, the ligaments can return to a nearly normal state.
But the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of the knee is deep inside the joint where the blood supply is much weaker, making it difficult for the ligament to heal. A grade 3 or complete tear of the ACL is therefore more likely to require surgery to regain joint stability.
Most sprained ligaments do not require surgery. At Avid Sports Medicine we’ll help you determine if your injury can be treated without surgery. We also recommend rest and joint protection with gentle movements in the early healing phase.
Common pitfalls that many patients encounter is rushing back to activity too soon. This leaves the ligaments vulnerable to re-injury. Once the tissue is strong enough, we will create a personalized, focused and gradual program of therapeutic exercises. This will allow you to return to sports and activities safely.
How long does it take for a sprain to heal?
The healing time for a sprain depends on its severity. Grade 1 sprains usually heal within a few days to a week. Grade 2 sprains can take several weeks, as they involve more significant damage. Grade 3 sprains, involving complete tears, may require months to heal fully, especially if surgery is necessary.
Is it OK to walk on a sprained ankle?
It’s usually not advisable to walk on a sprained ankle, especially if it causes pain. Walking on a sprained ankle can exacerbate the injury and prolong the healing process. For a mild sprain, limited walking might be possible with proper support, like a brace or compression wrap. It’s essential to consult a healthcare provider for an accurate assessment and recommendations on mobility based on the sprain’s severity.
What are the symptoms of a strained muscle?
Strains are also graded on a scale of tissue injury:
- Grade 1: These injuries have mild damage to individual muscle or tendon fibers.
- Grade 2: These injuries have more muscle or tendon fibers involved.
- Grade 3: These injuries are complete ruptures of the muscle or tendon.
Symptoms of a muscle strain can include pain, swelling, bruising, difficulty moving or loss of movement.
How are strains diagnosed?
Your doctor can usually diagnose a strain after taking a medical history and carrying out a brief physical examination. In some cases diagnostic imaging may be required. The doctor may use an xray, ultrasound or MRI to help clarify the diagnosis.
Can strained muscles heal?
Sudden muscle and tendon strains have great healing potential. Depending on the location of the injury and the stress that the tissue must withstand, many muscle and tendon strains can heal with conservative treatment.
At Avid Sports Medicine we work with you to tailor treatment options to both the severity of your injury and the demands of your lifestyle.
Chronic muscle or tendon injuries often require a different approach. In addition to resolving the current symptoms, we aim to uncover the patterns or issues that led to the injury in the first place. By dealing with the underlying problems we hope to decrease the likelihood of the injury returning.
How long does it take for a strain to heal?
The healing time for a strain also varies. Mild (Grade 1) strains may heal within a few weeks, while moderate (Grade 2) strains often take up to several months. Severe (Grade 3) strains, which involve a complete tear of the muscle or tendon, might require several months to a year to heal, particularly if surgical intervention is needed. Rehabilitation, including physical therapy and gradual return to activity, is crucial for optimal recovery.
Prevention Strategies for Sprains and Strains
While sprains and strains can occur unexpectedly, there are several strategies to reduce the risk of these injuries, especially for those who are physically active or involved in sports.
Warm-Up Properly: Engaging in a thorough warm-up before physical activity helps increase blood flow to the muscles and improves joint flexibility, reducing the risk of strains and sprains.
Strengthening Exercises: Regularly performing exercises that strengthen muscles and tendons can provide better support to the joints, thereby reducing the likelihood of ligament injuries.
Improve Flexibility: Incorporating stretching into your daily routine can improve flexibility, which is crucial in preventing muscle and tendon injuries.
Wear Appropriate Footwear: Choosing the right footwear for your activities can provide necessary support and reduce the risk of ankle and foot sprains.
Use Protective Gear: In sports or activities with a high risk of falls or contact, using protective gear like ankle braces or knee supports can help stabilize the joints and prevent sprains.
Mind Your Posture and Technique: Proper posture and technique during exercise and sports are essential in avoiding undue stress on muscles and joints.
Avoid Overexertion: Listening to your body and avoiding pushing it beyond its limits can prevent overstretching muscles and ligaments.
Stay Hydrated and Nutritionally Balanced: Good hydration and a balanced diet aid muscle recovery and strength, playing a role in injury prevention.
What’s Next?
Schedule your free consultation to evaluate your individual circumstances. During this call you’ll speak directly with Dr. Jow, our sports medicine physician. While we can’t give out specific advice until you become a patient, we can discuss your issue and determine if Avid is the best fit for you. If an in-person visit is recommended, we will schedule it right away.