What does fact checked mean?
At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- Mayo Clinic: Sprains and Strains
- Mayo Clinic: Sprains: First Aid
- National Institue of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
Although sprains and strains have similar symptoms, each injury affects a different part of the body 1. A sprain involves injuring the ligaments, while a strain involves injuring the muscles or tendons. Depending on the severity of the injury, most sprains and strains can be treated at home 1. Seek medical attention if you experience a fever or severe swelling or pain at the injured area.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Sprains
A sprain involves overstretching or tearing the ligaments, or the connective tissue that holds your bones, cartilages and joints together. Common areas where a sprain occurs include the knee, ankle and wrist. The most common symptom of a sprain is swelling. In general, the more painful and swollen the injured area, the more serious the injury. Seek medical care if you are unable to move or put any weight on the injured area after two or three days, if you have a fever or if the injured area feels hot.
- A sprain involves overstretching or tearing the ligaments, or the connective tissue that holds your bones, cartilages and joints together.
- Seek medical care if you are unable to move or put any weight on the injured area after two or three days, if you have a fever or if the injured area feels hot.
Strains
Hyperextension of the Calf
Learn More
A strain involves overstretching or tearing muscles or tendons, or the connective tissue that attaches your muscle to your bones. Common areas where a strain occurs include the back and hamstrings. Strains have similar symptoms as a sprain, including swelling, pain and limited range of motion for the injured area. As with sprains, seek medical care if you are unable to move or put weight on the injured area after two or three days, if you experience numbness or if the area appears to be red.
- A strain involves overstretching or tearing muscles or tendons, or the connective tissue that attaches your muscle to your bones.
- Strains have similar symptoms as a sprain, including swelling, pain and limited range of motion for the injured area.
Therapy
According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, it is important to stay off or reduce the amount of weight put on the injured area for the first 24 to 48 hours after the injury occurs 3. If possible, use pillows or other props to elevate the injury above the heart. This practice will help reduce swelling. Wrap a bandage around the injured area to reduce swelling further. Ice the injured area four to eight times a day for no longer than 20 minutes at a time. Do not place ice or a cold pack directly onto skin; use a towel or other cloth as a barrier.
- According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, it is important to stay off or reduce the amount of weight put on the injured area for the first 24 to 48 hours after the injury occurs 3.
- If possible, use pillows or other props to elevate the injury above the heart.
Heat
Heat or Ice to Reduce Swelling & Pain of Gout
Learn More
Heat is used to help increase blood circulation to stiff or sore muscles as well as to prepare your body for exercise. Once you are able to use or place weight on the injured area again, use heat therapy before starting any rehabilitation exercises. The heat may help make the injured area more flexible and may also help reduce pain. Never place a heating pad directly onto skin. Instead, place a warm, moist washcloth over the injured area for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Heat is used to help increase blood circulation to stiff or sore muscles as well as to prepare your body for exercise.
- Once you are able to use or place weight on the injured area again, use heat therapy before starting any rehabilitation exercises.
Related Articles
References
- Mayo Clinic: Sprains and Strains
- Mayo Clinic: Sprains: First Aid
- National Institue of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
- ABC News; When is it Appropriate to Use Ice or Heat to Treat Pain?; Laurie Sweet; August 2008
- Chinn L, Hertel J. Rehabilitation of ankle and foot injuries in athletes. Clin Sports Med. 2010;29(1):157–167. doi:10.1016/j.csm.2009.09.006
- Knee ligament sprains and tears: Clinical practice guidelines-ensuring best care. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2017;47(11):824. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.0511
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Wrist sprains. Updated April 2018.
- National Institutes of Health. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease. Sprains and strains. Updated January 2015.
- Wolfe MW, Uhl TL, Mattacola CG, McCluskey LC. Management of ankle sprains. Am Fam Physician. 2001;63(1):93–104.
- Fernandes TL, Pedrinelli A, Hernandez AJ. Muscle injury - physiopathology, diagnosis, treatment and clinical presentation. Rev Bras Ortop. 2015;46(3):247–255. doi:10.1016/S2255-4971(15)30190-7
- Ernlund L, Vieira LA. Hamstring injuries: update article. Rev Bras Ortop. 2017;52(4):373–382. doi:10.1016/j.rboe.2017.05.005
- Federer AE, Steele JR, Dekker TJ, Liles JL, Adams SB. Tendonitis and tendinopathy: What are they and how do they evolve?. Foot Ankle Clin. 2017;22(4):665–676. doi:10.1016/j.fcl.2017.07.002
- Field LD, Savoie FH. Common elbow injuries in sport. Sports Med. 1998;26:193–205 doi:10.2165/00007256-199826030-00005
- Grassi A, Quaglia A, Canata GL, Zaffagnini S. An update on the grading of muscle injuries: a narrative review from clinical to comprehensive systems. Joints. 2016;4(1):39–46. doi:10.11138/jts/2016.4.1.039
- Erickson LN, Sherry MA. Rehabilitation and return to sport after hamstring strain injury. J Sport Health Sci. 2017;6(3):262–270. doi:10.1016/j.jshs.2017.04.001
- Harvard Health Publishing. Recovering from an ankle sprain. Updated April 2019.
- Porter T, Rushton A. The efficacy of exercise in preventing injury in adult male football: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Sports Med Open. 2015;1(1):4. doi:10.1186/s40798-014-0004-6
- Blanchard S, Palestri J, Guer JL, Behr M. Current soccer footwear, its role in injuries and potential for improvement. Sports Med Int Open. 2018;2(2):E52–E61. doi:10.1055/a-0608-4229
- Woods K, Bishop P, Jones E. Warm-up and stretching in the prevention of muscular injury. Sports Med. 2007;37(12):1089–1099. doi:10.2165/00007256-200737120-00006
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Sprains, Strains and Other Soft-Tissue Injuries.
Writer Bio
Susan Diranian is a writer for various online publications and magazines, specializing in relationships, health, fashion, beauty and fitness. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with a concentration in nonfiction writing and editing.