Sprains and strains are among the most commonly experienced soft tissue injuries among adults. Statistics Canada reports that these injuries exhibited the highest incidence rates among Canadians aged 12 and over during the 2009-10 period. 51% of the individuals under study reported experiencing an injury of this type during the period. This compares with 17% who reported the next most common type of injury (bone fractures).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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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 Hartmann Deluxe Elastic Bandage Double Length features a breathable cotton body to keep heat build-up to a minimum with no loss of support.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
