What Is a Sprain?
A sprain is a ligament injury caused by stretching or tearing the tough tissue that connects bone to bone at a joint. Sprains commonly affect the ankle, knee, wrist, or thumb after a twist, fall, sudden impact, or awkward landing. Severity can range from mild stretching to a partial or complete tear.
Quick Facts About Sprain
Category
Ligament injury
Used for
Joint injury assessment
Common confusion
Often confused with a muscle strain
Also called
Ligament Injury
Often discussed with
Sports Injury Treatment, Therapeutic Exercise
Key Takeaways About Sprain
- Ligaments connect bones and help stabilize joints.
- A sprain may limit joint motion and weight-bearing.
- A sprain is not the same as a muscle strain.
How Sprain Works
Sprain describes damage to a ligament after a joint moves beyond its usual range. The affected tissue may be stretched or torn, which can lead to pain, swelling, tenderness, bruising, or reduced movement. Symptoms depend on the joint involved and the force that caused the injury.
Related glossary terms: Strain, Range of Motion, Joint Restriction.
Assessment focuses on the injury mechanism, the location of symptoms, joint stability, and available range of motion. A clinician may compare the affected side with the opposite side and check nearby muscles, nerves, and joints. Range of Motion findings can help show how the injury affects movement, while Kinesiology Tape may be considered as part of a broader care plan when appropriate.
From the Arrowhead Clinic Chiropractor Hinesville team
When we assess a sprain, we review how the injury occurred and examine the involved joint, nearby tissues, movement, and stability. We also look for signs that suggest a more serious injury or a need for further medical evaluation before sports injury treatment continues.
Sprain in Practice: A Real-World Example
A recreational runner may twist an ankle while changing direction on an uneven field. Sports injury treatment may address the ankle's movement, surrounding muscle function, and ability to tolerate gradual activity.
Related Services
Related Terms
Strain
A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon caused by overstretching or tearing its…
Range of Motion
Range of Motion is the available movement of a joint or body part in a specific…
Joint Restriction
A joint restriction is a clinical description of reduced or altered movement in a joint. It…
Kinesiology Tape
Kinesiology Tape is a flexible adhesive strip applied to the skin to provide light support and…
Arrowhead Clinic Chiropractor Hinesville
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