Sprains and Strains Summary A sprain is a stretched or torn ligament. Ligaments are tissues that connect bones at a joint. Falling, twisting, or getting hit can all cause a sprain. Ankle and wrist sprains are common. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and being unable to move your joint. You might feel a pop or tear when the injury happens. A strain is a stretched or torn muscle or tendon. Tendons are tissues that connect muscle to bone. Twisting or pulling these tissues can cause a strain. Strains can happen suddenly or develop over time. Back and hamstring muscle strains are common. Many people get strains playing sports. Symptoms include pain, muscle spasms, swelling, and trouble moving the muscle. At first, treatment of both sprains and strains usually involves resting the injured area, icing it, wearing a bandage or device that compresses the area, and medicines. Later treatment might include exercise and physical therapy. NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Array Ankle sprain – aftercare Elbow sprain — aftercare Foot sprain – aftercare Hamstring strain – aftercare Hip flexor strain — aftercare Sprains Strains Tendon repair Wrist sprain – aftercare Children Ankle Sprain Treatment American Academy of Pediatrics Broken Bones, Sprains, and Strains (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Strains and Sprains Are a Pain Nemours Foundation Teenagers Ankle Sprains Nemours Foundation Strains and Sprains Nemours Foundation Specifics Ankle Sprains: Healing and Preventing Injury American Academy of Family Physicians Hamstring Injury Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Thumb Sprains American Society for Surgery of the Hand Whiplash National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Wrist Sprains American Society for Surgery of the Hand Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Sprains and Strains National Institutes of Health Treatments and Therapies How to Care for a Sprained Ankle American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Strains and Sprains Nemours Foundation Living With How to Strengthen Your Ankle After a Sprain American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society How to Stretch Your Ankle After a Sprain American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society MedlinePlus: Mobility Aids Diagnosis and Tests MRI of the Musculoskeletal System Array Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Array Find an Expert National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Journal Articles Sprains and Strains Start Here Sprains and Strains National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Sprains, Strains, and Tears American College of Sports Medicine What Are Sprains and Strains? National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Prevention and Risk Factors Stretching Safely and Effectively Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
