Sprains and Strains: What’s the difference?

Sprains and strains are among the most common injuries that share similar signs and symptoms. The main difference between the two is the structure that is injured. A sprain is an injury to a ligament (structure that connects bone to bone). A strain, on the other hand, is an injury to a muscle and/or tendon (structure that attaches muscle to bone).

A sprain can be caused by either a direct or an indirect trauma knocking a joint out of position, overstretching and/or rupturing the supporting ligaments. It ranges from mild to severe eliciting pain, bruising, swelling, inflammation, and limited ability to move the affected joint. A mild to moderate sprain can cause the joint to become unstable, while a severe sprain causes the joint to go out of alignment making the joint nonfunctional.

A strain can be a result of a direct blow to the muscle causing the muscle to overstretch or over contract. It can be caused by prolonged, repetitive movements or overuse, as well. Signs and symptoms include pain, muscle spasm, muscle weakness, swelling, inflammation, cramping, and limited ability to move the affected muscle. With mild strain, the muscle or tendon is stretched slightly. Moderate strain is associated with a slight muscle tear. Severe strain is typically accompanied by a partially or completely ruptured muscle or tendon.

Rest, ice, compression, and elevation will help minimize the damage. Severe sprain or strain may require surgery or immobilization followed by months of therapy. Mild and moderate strains may be treated conservatively in a Chiropractor’s office and will require rehabilitation exercises and activity modification during recovery. With proper care, most sprains and strains will heal without long-term side effects.