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

Patient Handouts

• Ankle sprain – aftercare Medical Encyclopedia
• Elbow sprain — aftercare Medical Encyclopedia
• Foot sprain – aftercare Medical Encyclopedia
• Hamstring strain – aftercare Medical Encyclopedia
• Hip flexor strain — aftercare Medical Encyclopedia
• Sprains Medical Encyclopedia
• Strains Medical Encyclopedia
• Tendon repair Medical Encyclopedia
• Wrist sprain – aftercare Medical Encyclopedia

Children

• Ankle Sprain Treatment American Academy of Pediatrics
• Strains and Sprains (For Parents) Nemours Foundation

Teenagers

• Ankle Sprains Nemours Foundation
• Strains and Sprains Nemours Foundation

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Sprains and Strains National Institutes of Health

Specifics

• Hamstring Injury Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Sprained Thumb American Society for Surgery of the Hand
• Sprained Wrist American Society for Surgery of the Hand
• Whiplash National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

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
• Mobility Aids: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine

Diagnosis and Tests

• Musculoskeletal MRI Radiological Society of North America
• Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Radiological Society of North America

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

Prevention and Risk Factors

• Stretching Safely and Effectively Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Related Issues

• What Are Sports Injuries? National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases