A sprain happens when you overstretch or tear a ligament (fibrous tissue that connects bones), a tendon (tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone), or a muscle. A strain occurs when you overstretch or overexert a muscle or tendon. Sprains and strains hurt and swell up. The amount of pain and swelling depends on the extent of damage.
Common causes for sprains and strains are falls, twisting a limb, sports injuries, and overexertion.
Prevention
Common sense can prevent many sprains and strains. General safety measures to
prevent slips and falls:
Clear ice from porches and
walkways in winter weather.
Wear shoes and boots with nonskid soles.
Put sturdy handrails on both sides of
stairways.
Use rubber mats or adhesive-backed strips
in bathtubs and shower stalls. A support bar is a good idea, too.
Make sure light switches are located near
all room entrances inside of the house and to entrances outside.
Use a night light between the bedroom and
bathroom or in the hallway at night.
Don't leave shoes, toys, tools, and other
things where people can trip over them.
Use nonskid floor wax.
Secure carpet to the floor. Make sure rugs
have nonskid backing.
Be careful whenever you use a ladder. Make
sure it is steady. The ladder should be tall enough that you don't have to stand on the
top 3 steps.
To Prevent Sprains and Strains from Sports
Injuries:
Ease into any exercise
program. Start off with things that are easy for you. Build up gradually.
Warm-up your muscles with slow easy
stretches before you exercise. You should do this for all sports. Don't bounce.
Don't overdo it. If muscles or joints start
to hurt, ease up.
Cool-down after hard exercises. Do the
activity at a slower pace for 5 minutes. For example, after a run, walk or stroll for 5
minutes so your pulse comes down gradually.
Wear shoes that fit you and the exercise
you do.
Also, see the Dos and Don'ts of proper lifting under "Backaches".
Treatment for sprains and strains will depend on the extent of damage done to the muscle, ligament, tendon, etc. Self-care measures may be all that are needed for mild injuries. Severe sprains may require medical treatment. Some sprains require a cast. Others may need surgery if the tissue affected is torn.
Did the strain or sprain occur with great force from a vehicle
accident or a fall from a high place? |
 |
Are any of these signs present? A bone sticks out or bones in the injured
part make a grating sound. The injured body part looks crooked or the
wrong shape. A loss of feeling in the injured body part Inability to move or put weight on the
injured body part{Note: See Immobilize the injured area under "Broken Bones".} |
|
| Does the skin around the injury turn blue and/or feel cold and
numb? |
 |
| Are any of these problems present? There is bad pain and swelling or
the pain is getting worse. It hurts to press along the bone. |
|
Stop what you're doing. Then use R.I.C.E. (See R.I.C.E.
under "Dislocations".)
Take an over-the-counter medicine for pain
and inflammation. {Note: See Pain relievers in "Your Home Pharmacy".}
Also note, for specific areas of the body:
Remove rings right away if you
sprain your finger or hand. (If you don't, and your fingers swell up, someone may have to
cut the rings off.)
If you have a badly sprained ankle, use
crutches. They help keep weight off the ankle, so it can heal.
Call your doctor if the sprain or strain does not improve after doing the Self-Care Tips for 4 days.
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 02/01/99