Symptoms

The symptoms of sprains or strains can range from mild to severe.

Mild: Excessive stretching or a slight tear of the ligament may lead to a small sprain or strain. There is a minor amount of swelling and tenderness, but it’s possible to put weight on the joint.

Moderate: A torn ligament occurs when the fibers in the ligament tear but are not completely ruptured. The joint is tender, painful and difficult to move. The injured area is swollen and possibly discolored from bleeding. You may also experience some unsteadiness when weight is put on the affected area of the joint.

Severe: One or more ligaments tear completely. The joint won’t move normally or hold weight. The joint is very swollen and possibly discolored. It may be difficult to distinguish a severe sprain or strain from a fracture or dislocation.

Causes

A sprain occurs when you overextend or tear a ligament while severely stressing a joint. Sprains often occur in the following circumstances:

• Ankle — Walking or exercising on an uneven surface, landing awkwardly from a jump
• Knee — Pivoting during an athletic activity
• Wrist — Landing on an outstretched hand during a fall
• Thumb — Skiing injury or overextension when playing racquet sports, such as tennis

Treatments

Properly treating a strained or sprained ankle, wrist or knee can help prevent ongoing problems. This is particularly true for those with repeated or severe sprains, which can develop into long-term joint pain and weakness. If you are dealing with a high frequency of these injuries you may need to speak to your provider about starting an ongoing physical therapy program.

Minor injuries may often be treated with RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation), which can be particularly helpful during the first 24 to 48 hours after an injury to reduce swelling and pain.

For more severe injuries, especially if there was a popping sound at the time of the injury, considerable swelling, if the injury is not improving quickly or if the injured joint can’t bear weight, visit Frontline ER. We can evaluate the injury and take any necessary X-rays to determine the severity and the best possible treatment options.

For more severe injuries, you may require a period of not putting weight on the injury and a specialist referral. While most sprains and strains are able to heal on their own, more severe injuries may require surgery.