Sprains and strains are closely related injuries and sometimes even occur together. In addition, their symptoms are very similar and patients frequently confuse one for another.
In what follows below, we first discuss the causes of these two injury groups and how they compare with each other. We then perform a brief comparison of the symptoms and treatments of the two injury types.
Sprains And Strains – Causes & Risk Factors
Tissue Damage Involved
A key difference between sprains and strains lies in the nature of the tissue damage involved.
Sprains are caused by damage (stretching or tearing) to the ligaments of a joint. Ligaments are tough pieces of tissue connecting bones of a joint together.
Strains are caused by similar damage (stretching or tearing) to muscles or tendons. The tendons are bands of tissue that connect muscles to adjacent bones.
Both sprains and strains tend to be classified as one of grades I, II or III depending on the severity of the damage. A grade I, or mild sprain or strain usually involves stretching, but no tearing, of the affected ligaments, muscles or tendons.
Grade II sprains or strains involve a partial tear of the affected ligament, muscle or tendon. However, a grade III injury (sprain or strain) involves a complete tear of the affected muscle, ligament or tendon.
What Causes Sprains & Strains?
Another key difference between these injuries lies in how the damage is caused. Most sprains are the result of a sudden traumatic event that exerts a significant force on the ligament.
On the other hand, strains can either be the result of a similar force or they can be the result of the muscle or tendon being overworked over a prolonged period.
This can occur, for example, with an athlete who overtrains over a period of time and does not allow enough time for rest and recovery between training sessions.
Where Do Sprains & Strains Occur?
Another important difference between sprains and strains relates to the areas of the body that they tend to affect.
Most sprains tend to appear in the form of an ankle sprain. However, strains tend to mainly occur either to the hamstring muscle (at the back of the thigh) or to the lower back.
In general, sprains tend to occur at or near a joint. This is because ligaments, the tissues that suffer damage in sprains, are mainly located in joints (they bind the bones of a joint together).
On the other hand, muscle strains can sometimes occur away from a joint. If the tendon is the injured structure, however, a strain can result in pain or swelling at or near a joint.
Risk Factors
Sprains and strains share many risk factors in common. They are both sports medicine injuries that tend to happen to athletes or physically active individuals. Athletes in contact sports are particularly affected.
For both injuries, the risk of occurrence increases for individuals with weak, undeveloped or imbalanced joint muscles. The risk of injury occurrence is also higher if you have previously experienced the same injury.
Finally, those who fail to stretch and/or warm up properly before commencing activity are more at risk of either a sprain or strain injury. This is because the muscles, ligaments or tendons are colder and less supple. This makes them more vulnerable to damage (tearing or overstretching) if they experience a sudden tug or other force.
Symptoms & Treatment
Symptoms
Both sprains and strains result in several common symptoms. Among these are pain and swelling.
There will also be joint or muscle weakness.
Both injuries also can result in contusions or skin discoloration at or near the site of the injuryt.
Additionally, for both injuries, there is sometimes a popping noise or sensation at the time the injury is incurred.
However, there is one key difference between the two injuries in relation to symptoms. In some cases, muscle or tendon strains can result in muscle spasms. However, ligament sprains tend not to produce these spasms.
In addition, as mentioned above, sprains tend to occur at or near joints. The symptoms of a sprain will usually include reduced range of motion of the injured joint.
Treatment
For both sprains and strains, treatment of a grade I (and most grade II) injuries will usually be home based and will depend on the P.R.I.C.E. strategy:
Protect the injured joint or muscle and allow it time to heal. Do this by refraining from activities that may place stress on the injured area. An orthopedic brace or athletic tape may be used to prevent injuries during the recovery period;
Allow the injured joint or muscle to Rest and recover naturally;
To reduce pain and swelling, apply Ice or a cold compress to the injured area for 20 minutes at a time;
Apply Compression to the area to improve blood flow and reduce swelling;
Elevate the injured area above heart level whenever possible to facilitate the flow of blood back to the heart. This will in turn promote its replacement with fresh and nutrient rich blood, thus accelerating healing.
For both sprains and strains, physical therapy is usually an important part of the overall treatment strategy. It will help to stretch and strengthen affected joints and muscles and reduce the risk of re-injury after normal activity has resumed.
Treatment of grade III sprains or strains will usually require surgery, especially if there is accompanying bone damage.
The LP Cervical Collar is made from moderately dense foam (17 mm) and has a cotton stockinette covering that provides a contoured fit for the chin. It has a hook and loop closure at the rear to provide a customized and comfortable fit. The collar constrains the extent to which you can flex or extend…
Whether you’re an athlete recovering from an intense workout, someone dealing with a nagging injury, or simply seeking quick relief from everyday muscle soreness, our Cold Spray is your go-to companion. Comes in a 4oz can.
The Mueller Sports Medicine Elastic Bandage is a high quality cotton and elastic bandage. A highly versatile bandage that you can use to treat muscle/ligament strains and sprains as well as bone fractures.
Endura sports tape is a rigid rayon backed strapping tape that uses a zinc oxide based adhesive. It is designed for patellofemoral taping and treatment of lower body or shoulder injuries using techniques developed by Australian physiotherapist Jenny McConnell. Endura is comparable to other rigid strapping tapes like LeukoTape or DynaPro Rigid Athletic Tape. However…
BSN Leukotape P is a tape with a rayon backing, superior tensile strength and an ultra strong zinc oxide adhesive. A great choice for securing the patella-femoral and shoulder areas, it can remain in position for up to 18 hours at a time.
The Relief Pak® HotSpot® Moist Heat Pack will give you the same moist heat therapy treatment as the Hydrocollator® HotPacs, only at a more economical price.
Choose DynaPro SelfWrap 5yd and 6 yd rolls for a latex free and hypoallergenic solution to your need for a cohesive bandage that will stick only to itself and provide the support and compression you need for treatment of your soft tissue injuries.
The DynaPro Health Single Use Instant Cold Pack is an essential part of a first aid kit that will help you start treatment of acute injuries right away.
Mueller Sports Medicine Sports Wrap is a versatile alternative to compression wraps, wound care and fixation bandages. It will support your tape jobs and keep them in place, keep your hair away from your face and serve many other useful purposes.
Use DynaPro StretchLight for superior conformability and support for knees, ankles, hands and wrists, particularly when treating sprained or vulnerable joints. Its latex free and hypoallergenic composition also makes it the ideal choice for those with sensitive skin or for those with histories of allergic reactions.
The Mueller Wonder Wrap provides firm and reliable support with long term elasticity. Durable and reusable, this wrap is the ideal solution when you are looking for a quick way to treat a muscle strain.
Calko Woven Elastic Wraps are reinforced bandages offering stretch as well as compression. Useful for treating muscle/ligament strains and tendon sprains, holding hot and cold packs or other bandages in place as well as other therapeutic applications.
Wrist brace to control motion of the CMC and MP joints
The Bio Skin Wrist / Thumb Spica regulates movement of the CMC and MP joints by preventing painful movements of the thumb and wrist but allowing unrestricted use of the fingers.