Sprains and strains are common injuries. They can happen to anyone but occur most often in people who participate in sports, perform repetitive activities, or are at-risk for falls.
A sprain is an injury to a ligament that connects two bones. A ligament can stretch or tear if the bones in a joint move out of position from force, such as falling down and spraining an ankle or wrist, or making impact with another person during sports. A sprain causes pain, bruising, and swelling. A severe sprain causes intense pain at the time of injury, followed by swelling and difficulty moving the joint.
A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon. These can be injured from overuse, overstretching, repetitive motions, sports injury, or direct force. For example, you can sustain a back strain if you perform repetitive heavy lifting.
At Express Bone & Joint Injury Care, we can diagnose a sprain or strain by physical examination. An X-ray may be needed if a fracture or severe structural damage is suspected. Mild sprains and strains may benefit from physical or occupational therapy following injury, while severe sprains and strains may require surgery or immobilization with a brace or splint for healing.
If you sustain a serious sprain or strain, don’t wait. Go directly to our Express Bone & Joint Injury Care clinic in Colorado Springs. Walk in without an appointment, or call us at (719) 622-4550.
