Stretching or tearing of ligaments can cause a sprain. Ligaments are fibrous tissue bands that connect two bones in the joints. Though they are different, people often use the terms sprain and strain interchangeably. In a sprain, the fibrous tissues that connect two bones get injured. On the other hand, a strain involves an injury to a muscle that attaches a muscle to a bone. Strain is a muscle-to-bone connector injury, whereas sprain is a bone-to-bone connector injury.
The sprain may result in the injury of one or more ligaments. Sometimes, the ligaments can be partially or completely torn and may need repair surgery. The sprain severity can range from ligament stretching to tear. The intensity of the sprain depends on the injury severity and the number of ligaments involved.
A sprain can occur in any joint, but the most vulnerable spots are the parts prone to falls and trauma. The most common areas for sprains are the ankle, knee, hand, and wrist.
It typically occurs when our foot turns inward while running, turning, or landing on the ankle after a jump.
Typically occurs after a blow to the knee, a fall, or due to sudden twisting of the knee.
It occurs when we fall and put all body pressure on an outstretched hand.
Anyone can suffer from a sprain, young or old, athletic or non-athletic. You may be at an increased risk if:
The sprain symptoms can vary from mild to severe, depending on the degree of muscle tear. The following are some predominant symptoms of sprain:
A sprain occurs when you tear a ligament while severely stressing or injury to the joint. Sprains can occur during the following conditions:
Children are more likely to experience a fracture than a sprain, as they have growth plates (soft tissues near the ends of the bones) and the ligaments around a joint are generally stronger than growth plates, so the tear chances are low.
The following are some factors that contribute to sprains:
Depending on the results exam and the body's response to initial treatment, the doctor can recommend higher imaging, like an ultrasound or MRI, to further evaluate the degree of injury.
The treatment of a sprain depends on the severity of the sprain injury. The sprain treatment depends on the degree of the injury and the number of ligaments injured. The following are the types of sprain injury:
The doctors advise following the PRICE method in the first 24 to 48 hours after the injury. PRICE stands for:
Depending on the severity, sometimes the doctor may recommend surgery for a sprain. Orthopedics recommend a surgery after a thorough evaluation of the injury and determining the healing potential with and without surgery. Other factors affecting recovery include age, activity level, and risk factors involved with surgery.
Healthcare professionals advise physiotherapy after a sprain to fasten healing. The intensity of the sprain will determine the steps needed for the recovery process. A physiotherapist will formulate a program for you depending on the severity of your sprain injury. Properly designed physiotherapy exercises will help regain joint strength and mobility.
Additionally, physiotherapists will recommend a home exercise program according to your conditions to prevent the injured joint from becoming stiff. A home exercise program will involve exercises to build strength and balance to recuperate the injury. Physiotherapy can help you build joint strength and stability, making the affected joint even stronger than it was. If you have suffered repeated sprains or were immobilized for a long time, the doctors strongly recommend physiotherapy to reduce the chance of getting injured again.
The recovery period is directly proportional to the severity of the injury. In mild sprains, the recovery period will be for a few weeks. In severe cases, it could take up to 12 weeks to recover. In the cases of complete ligament tear, the doctors recommend surgical repair, and the recovery period will be the longest. The healthcare specialists may design a surgery, healing, and return-to-activity plan following surgery for smooth recovery.
The following are some helpful tips to reduce the risk of getting a sprain:
Sprain healing will take time, but if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, immediately contact your doctor:
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