What is a sprain and strain?
Sprain: A sprain is a stretching or tearing of ligaments. Ligaments are tough bands of fibrous tissue that connect one bone to another. Common locations for sprains are your ankles and knees. Strain: A strain is a stretching or tearing of muscle or tendon. People commonly call strains “pulled” muscles. Hamstring and back injuries are among the most common strains. Signs and Symptoms Sprains Sprains can cause rapid swelling. Generally, the greater the pain and swelling, the more severe the injury. Mild: Your ligament stretches excessively or tears slightly. The area is somewhat painful, especially with movement. It’s tender. There’s not a lot of swelling. You can put weight on the joint. Moderate: The fibers in your ligament tear, but they don’t rupture completely. The joint is tender, painful and difficult to move. The area is swollen and may be discoloured from bleeding in the area. You may feel unsteady when you try to bear weight on your joint. Severe: One or more ligaments tear com
