What are sprains and strains?

What are sprains and strains?

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Sprains and strains are common injuries that affect the soft tissues in the body, including muscles, ligaments, and tendons. While they share similarities, sprains and strains differ in the specific tissues involved.

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1. Sprains: A sprain occurs when a ligament is severely stressed, stretched or torn. Ligaments are tough bands of fibrous tissue that connect bones to each other and provide stability to joints. Sprains commonly occur in joints such as the ankle, knee, or wrist. They are often caused by sudden twisting or wrenching movements, falls, or direct blows to a joint. Symptoms of a sprain may include pain, swelling, bruising, instability or joint laxity, and limited range of motion. It is usually graded as a first- (mild), second- (moderate), third- (severe) degree sprain. 
2. Strains: A strain refers to an injury to a muscle or tendon, which is the tissue that connects muscles to bones. Overstretching, overexertion, overuse of soft tissue: tends to be less severe than a sprain. It occurs from slight trauma or unaccustomed repeated trauma of a minor degree. It also refers to the amount of deformation that occurs in tissues when stress is applied. They commonly occur in the muscles of the hand, lower back, and leg. Symptoms of a strain may include pain, muscle weakness, swelling, muscle spasms, and limited mobility or range of motion. Like sprains, strains can vary in severity, ranging from first- mild (minor stretching or micro-tearing of the muscle or tendon fibers) to third- severe degree strain (partial or complete rupture of the muscle or tendon).

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Treatment of sprains and strains

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Treatment for sprains and strains generally follows the RICE principle:

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1. Rest: It is important to rest the injured area to allow for healing and prevent further damage. Avoid activities that may stress the affected tissues.
2. Ice: Applying ice to the injured area can help reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation. Use an ice pack or a bag of ice wrapped in a thin cloth and apply it for about 5-10 minutes at a time, several times a day.
3. Compression: Applying compression with an elastic bandage or brace can help reduce swelling and provide support to the injured area. Make sure not to wrap the area too tightly, as it can impair circulation.
4. Elevation: Elevating the injured limb or body part above heart level, if possible, can help reduce swelling by promoting drainage of excess fluid.

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How can physical therapy help? 

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In addition to the RICE protocol, physical therapy can play a crucial role in the rehabilitation of sprains and strains. Physical therapists may employ various techniques and interventions, including:

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1. Pain and swelling management: The use of modalities such as; cryotherapy, ultrasound, and electrotherapy may help reduce pain and swelling on the affected area.
2. Assistive and Supportive device: In some cases, the use of assistive devices, splints, tape or wrap may be required to protect the part upon activity or immobilize the part and promote tissue healing.
3. Range of motion exercises: Physical therapists will prescribe joint mobilization and stretching techniques for specific tight tissues to increase muscle extensibility and joint mobility.
4. Strengthening exercises: Initially, the physical therapists will prescribe light resistance exercises and as the healing improves, it will progress to maximal resistance exercises mainly to increase muscle strength, endurance and muscle performance.
5. Functional training: The physical therapists will develop exercise drills that simulate work or sports activities with progressive resistance exercises until the muscles are strong enough and able to respond to the required functional demands.
6. Education and Home exercise program: Physical therapists educate the patients about sprain/strain, what to expect at certain stages, the time frame of healing and what signs and symptoms indicate that he or she is pushing beyond tissue tolerance. They also teach safe body mechanics, proper ergonomics and ways to avoid reinjuring the part, and provide patients with home exercise programs to reinforce therapeutic interventions.

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It's important to consult with a healthcare professional, such as a doctor or physical therapist, for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan for sprains and strains.  The physical therapy interventions vary on each individual, depending on the area affected, severity of injury and other existing factors that may influence the specific treatment approach.

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