What is a sprain?

A sprain is a stretch and/or a tear of a ligament, which is the tough band of connective tissue that joins the end of one bone with another. Ligaments work to stabilize and support the body’s joints. Sprains are typically caused by a direct or indirect shock that knocks a joint out of position. A sprain has three categories: mild, moderate, and severe, and the symptoms below may appear in all cases. When a sprain occurs, you will usually feel a tear or pop in the joint.

Symptoms of a sprain include:

Pain Bruising Swelling Inflammation

What is a strain?

A strain is an injury to a muscle and/or tendon. Tendons are the cords of tissue that attach muscles to the bone. Strains are typically caused by overuse of a muscle or tendon. A strain has three categories: mild, moderate, and severe, and you may experience any or all of these symptoms in all cases.

Symptoms of a strain include:

Pain Muscle spasm Muscle weakness Swelling Inflammation

The RICE Principle If you think you have a sprain or strain, we suggests following the RICE principle.

RICE stands for:

Rest. Minimize use of the area. Ice. Apply for periods of 10 to 15 minutes every 3 hours. Compression. Use a compression bandage, but be careful not to make it too tight. Elevation. The affected area should be higher than the level of your heart to reduce swelling.

Physiotherapy Treatment for Strain or Sprain Pain Management Protecting the joints and muscles Soft tissue mobilization Electrotherapy.