What is a Sprain?

A sprain is an injury to a ligament caused by overstretching. It is common in athletes and can cause pain, swelling, and limited mobility.
What is a Sprain?
Photo by Jonathan Tomas

DEFINITION – What is a Sprain?

Any action that pushes a joint past its natural range of motion could lead to either a strain (affecting the ligaments) or a sprain (affecting the muscles and tendons). Ligaments, muscles, and tendons are made up of fibers that manage huge tensile loads every day. Overloading can cause the fibers to overstretch and eventually tear and fail, causing pain and debilitating the joint for anywhere between a few days and a few months.

BREAKING DOWN – Manipulate

Sprains are extremely common injuries, more often than not affect the ankle joint. Minor sprains can be treated at home using the RICE technique: get lots of rest, use ice on the affected region (wrapped within a soft cloth – never apply ice to bare skin), compress the area, and keep it elevated. More serious sprains may require surgery to repair major fiber damage. In the case of a major sprain, pain, and inflammation will be serious; you should head to a doctor immediately.

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Athlete’s Choice Massage was created to provide consistently excellent rehabilitative services for health-conscious people. Our team is extremely well-trained and they take pride in their work. They are constantly striving to learn and better themselves in their respective fields so that they can help you recover and aid in the maintenance of your well-being.

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All appointments will begin with a short but in-depth one-on-one assessment. This is your opportunity to point out what area you’d like to work on during your time, as well as identify any special requests or concerns you may have. Should you have more than one area of concern, your therapist will prioritize the chief complaint and create a treatment plan for the time allotted and for follow-ups as needed.

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A sprain is an injury to a ligament, which is a band of tissue that connects bones to each other and provides support to joints.

Sprains are usually caused by a sudden twisting or bending of a joint, which can stretch or tear the ligament. This can happen during sports, exercise, or daily activities.

Symptoms of a sprain may include pain, swelling, bruising, limited range of motion, and difficulty bearing weight on the affected joint.

 

Treatment for a sprain typically involves rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE), as well as over-the-counter pain relievers. In severe cases, a brace, cast, or surgery may be necessary to help the ligament heal. Rehabilitation exercises may also be recommended to restore strength and flexibility to the affected joint.