MainStreet Family Care is sharing a twisted tale about treating, recovering from, and preventing sprains to keep you in the game of life!

Did you twist and then shout? It may be a sprain. Or possibly a strain. What’s the difference? And more importantly, how do you treat it and prevent it from happening again? Read on to learn all about it!

Sprains and Strains – What’s the Difference?

While they are commonly used interchangeably, there is a difference between sprains and strains.

Sprains

A sprain occurs when you overstretch, tear, or twist a ligament. Ligaments are the bands of connective tissue around joints that connect your bones with other bones or cartilage.

The most common joints you may sprain include:

  • Ankles
  • Knees
  • Thumbs
  • Wrists

Sprains tend to occur suddenly when a joint moves out of its usual range of motion, causing the ligament to overstretch, tear, or twist. For example:

  • Direct trauma to a joint, such as your thumb bending back away from your palm when you try to catch a ball, can cause a thumb sprain.
  • Falling forward with an outstretched hand to brace yourself can cause a wrist sprain.
  • Pivoting or twisting suddenly at the knee can cause a knee sprain.
  • Walking on an uneven surface can cause your ankle to “roll” and result in an ankle sprain.

Strains

A strain occurs when you overstretch, tear, or twist a tendon or a muscle. Tendons are cords of flexible tissue that connect muscles to bones.

The most common areas you may strain include:

You may experience a strain suddenly if you overstretch, tear, or twist a tendon or muscle during movements such as:

  • Falling
  • Jumping
  • Lifting
  • Throwing

Unlike sprains, strains can also happen over time with repetitive motions like sports injuries from pitching, running, or a tennis swing. Chronic strains may also be caused in work settings where you may have extended periods of uncomfortable sitting, standing, or turning.

Do you have a work-related strain or sprain? MainStreet Family Care Occupational Health Services can help you with your worker’s compensation exam! Check with your employer to see if MainStreet Family Care is an approved provider.

Types of Sprains

Sprains can be classified into three different grades depending on the extent of damage to your ligament.

  • Grade 1 sprains. The ligament is mildly stretched and may have microscopic tears. Your joint will likely be tender to the touch and may have some mild swelling, but your joint will be stable and able to bear weight.
  • Grade 2 sprains. The ligament is partially torn. Your joint will have moderate instability, bruising, pain, and swelling. Your range of motion may be limited.
  • Grade 3 sprains. Your joint will have significant instability, restricted range of motion, and loss of function or weight bearing. These sprains cause severe pain, bruising, and swelling.

Symptoms of Sprains

When you experience a sprain, you may hear or feel a “pop” at the joint at the time of injury. Other common symptoms include:

  • Bruising at the injured joint. It may take 24 to 72 hours for the bruising to develop.
  • Limited range of motion or weight-bearing on the sprained joint.
  • Pain in the injured joint. The pain is usually immediate and lessens as the sprain heals.
  • Swelling around the injured joint. Swelling may start immediately or develop over a few hours. It usually subsides within 48 hours with treatment but may last longer in grade 3 sprains.

You should call your healthcare provider or seek immediate medical attention if you have any of the following symptoms accompanying a sprain:

  • An obvious deformity in the injured area.
  • Chills or fever.
  • Instability of the joint or inability to bear weight 24 to 48 hours after your injury.
  • Numbness or tingling around your injury.
  • Pain and swelling that does not improve after home treatment or worsens.

Treating Sprains

Most minor sprains can be treated at home, but more severe sprains may require medical treatment.

Home Treatment

The mainstay of sprain treatment during the first 24 to 48 hours is called RICE, which stands for:

  • Rest. Avoid physical activities that cause pain, such as putting weight on your injured foot and ankle or lifting heavy objects with your injured hand and wrist. This will allow your ligaments time to heal without additional stress.
  • Ice. Apply an ice pack or bag of frozen vegetables to your injured joint for 20 minutes every one to two hours. Ice can help promote healing by reducing inflammation, pain, and swelling. Remember to place a thin towel between your ice pack and your skin to prevent skin damage.
  • Compression. Use an elastic bandage to wrap your injured joint. Wrap the area with some pressure to provide support and help reduce swelling, but not so tight that it reduces blood flow. For example, if you wrap your ankle and notice discoloration, numbness, or tingling in your foot or toes, your elastic bandage may be too tight.
  • Elevation. Keep your injured joint raised above the level of your heart. While resting, you can use pillows or blankets to prop the injured area up. This will help improve circulation and reduce pain and swelling.

You can take over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, to further reduce pain and swelling.

If your pain and swelling do not improve or worsen after home treatment, you may need medical treatment. MainStreet Family Care urgent care services can help you heal and feel better Fast! Register online to see us today.

Medical Treatment

When you see a healthcare provider for a sprain, they will ask you several questions:

  • How did the injury occur?
  • When did the injury occur?
  • Did you hear or feel a “pop” at the time of the injury?
  • Have you injured this area before?
  • Has your injury responded to home treatment?
  • Do you have any numbness or tingling around the injured area?

Your healthcare provider will examine your injured joint for:

  • Deformity
  • Intact pulses and sensations in the injured area
  • Range of motion
  • Stability of the joint

Some further testing may be required, such as X-rays, to determine if there are any broken bones. They may also recommend magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine the extent of the ligament damage.

For minor to moderate sprains, your healthcare provider may add a “P” to “RICE” for a “PRICE” protocol. The “P” stands for protection of the joint. For example, this may be accomplished by applying a brace to the joint or using crutches to keep weight off your ankle or knee.

Your healthcare provider may recommend seeing a physical therapist as part of your recovery plan. Physical therapy can teach you strengthening exercises and help prevent reinjuring the joint.

Rarely, your healthcare provider may recommend surgery for your sprain. Surgery is usually reserved for severe sprains in which the ligament is completely torn or for repeatedly sprained joints that are chronically unstable.

Prevention of Sprains

Sprains are a common injury, but there are some things you can do to prevent a sprain. The key to prevention is to reduce your risk factors for a sprain. Here are our best tips:

  • Environment—Be aware of your surroundings. Watch for slippery or uneven surfaces that could cause a fall or a twisted ankle.
  • Gear – Wear appropriate gear for your physical activities, such as sturdy shoes and protective equipment when you play sports.
  • Healthy weight—Carrying extra body weight can place extra stress on your joints and tendons, putting you at a higher risk of sprains.
  • Rest – Ensure you are adequately rested before engaging in physical activity and take breaks if tired.
  • Strengthen – Regular stability and strengthening exercises using proper form can prevent sprains.
  • Warm-up – Before physical activity, perform light stretches to warm up your joints and tendons.

Turn to MainStreet Family Care

Think you’ve sprained your ankle? MainStreet Family Care urgent care services can help!

Register online to visit one of our clinics near you. You can wait from the convenience of your home or car until we’re ready to see you. We’ll text you when it’s time to head to the clinic.

We also accept walk-ins! However, please be aware that walk-ins join the same queue as those who register online and may experience longer in-clinic wait times.