Sprain or Strain?

Did you know there is a difference between a Sprain and Strain?

These terms are often used interchangeably but they are in fact different types of injuries.

Strains

→ Strains are injuries that affect muscles or tendons (thick bands that attach muscles to bones)

→ They occur in response to a quick tear, twist, or pull of the muscle.

→ Strains result from overstretching or over contraction.

→ Pain, weakness, and muscle spasms are common symptoms experienced after a strain occurs.

Sprains

→ Sprains are injuries that affect ligaments (thick bands of cartilage that attach bone to bone)

→ They occur in response to a stretch or tear of a ligament.

→A sprain can range from a slight stretch of a ligament to a complete tear.

→Sprains result from trauma such as a fall or outside force that displaces the surrounding joint from its normal alignment.

→ Bruising, swelling, instability and painful movement are common symptoms experienced after a sprain occurs.

Most strains will go away after a period of rest but depending on the damaged cause to ligaments in a sprain, rehabilitation and surgery are sometimes necessary.

Ligament Damage

Ligaments are tough as they have a very important job of keeping our joints stable. Ligaments will not be damaged easily and will need a bad fall or impact to cause damage.

Ligaments are classified as dense connective tissue, and they consist of a protein substance called collagen.

There are 3 types of collagen found in the ligament:

• 90% Type 1 collagen

• 9% Type 3 collagen

• 1% fibroblast cells (the cells that produce collagen)

GRADE 1 SPRAIN

There is damage to a few collagen fibres, producing a local inflammatory response. This is characterised by pain over the affected ligament.

GRADE 2 SPRAIN

There is damage to a more extensive number of collagen fibres. This produces a more marked inflammatory response characterised by intense pain and joint swelling

GRADE 3 SPRAIN

The damage to collagen fibres is such that there is a complete rupture of the ligament. This produces intense pain, joint effusion and marked joint instability. Surgery may be necessary to restore joint stability