Strains Causes, Symptoms And Prevention
Sprains and strains are common injuries that share the same signs and symptoms, but occour in different parts of the body.
A sprain is a tearing or stretching of the ligaments — the tough bands of fibrous tissue that joins two bones together in your joints. The most common location for a sprain is the ankle.
A strain is a stretching or tearing of muscle or tendon. A tendon is a fibrous cord of tissue that joins muscles to bones. Strains often happens in the lower back and in the hamstring muscle in the back of the thigh.
Initial treatment for both sprains and strains includes rest, ice, compression and elevation. Mild sprains and strains can be fully treated at home. Severe sprains and strains sometimes require surgery to repair torn ligaments, muscles or tendons.
Symptoms of Strains
Signs and symptoms will differs, depending on the severity of the injury.
Strains
- Pain
- Swelling
- Muscle spasms
- Limited ability to move the affected muscle
Sprains
- Pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Limited ability to move the affected joint
- At the time of injury, you may hear or feel a “pop” in your joint
Mild sprains and strains causes can be taken care of at home. But the injuries that cause sprains can also cause serious injuries, such as fractures. You should see a doctor if you:
- Can’t walk more than four steps without significant pain
- Can’t move the affected joint
- Have pain directly over the bones of an injured joint
- Have numbness in any part of the injured area
Strain causes
Strain
Strain causes: There are two types of strains: acute and chronic. An acute strain occurs when a muscle becomes strained or pulled — or may even tear — when it stretches unusually far or abruptly can lead to strain causes. Acute strains often occur in the following ways:
- Slipping on ice
- Lifting heavy objects or lifting
- Running, jumping or throwing
A chronic strain results from prolonged, repetitive movement of a muscle. This may occur on the job or during sports, such as:
- Gymnastics
- Tennis
- Rowing
- Golf
Sprains
A sprain happens when you overstretch or tear a ligament while severely stressing a joint. Sprains often occur in the following circumstances:
- Wrist — Landing on an outstretched hand during a fall
- Thumb — Skiing injury or overextension when playing racquet sports, such as tennis
- Ankle — Walking or exercising on an uneven surface
- Knee — Pivoting during an athletic activity
Strain causes treatments
Treating sprains and strains all depends on the joint involved and the severity of the injury.
Therapy
In cases of a moderate sprain or strain, you should apply ice to the area as soon as possible to avoid swelling. In cases of severe sprain or strain, your doctor may immobilize the area with a brace or splint.
Medications of strain causes
For moderate sprains and strains, your doctor likely will recommend basic self-care measures and an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).
Surgery
In cases, such as in the case of a torn ligament or ruptured muscle, surgery may be considered.
