Sprains

What is a Sprain?

A sprain occurs when you overstretch or tear a ligament, which are the tissues that hold together your bones and provide support for them. You experience a sprain when the joint bends unnaturally, and these injuries typically occur in the ankles, but also can happen in the fingers, calf muscle or shoulder.

What are the Symptoms?

Symptoms of a sprain include inflammation or swelling, mild or severe joint or muscle pain, tenderness, bruising and difficulty with movement at the injury site for example - not being able to move your shoulder or put pressure on your ankle.

What about Treatment?

A mild sprain can take around 10 days to heal while a severe sprain can take several weeks to get better. Elevating the part of the body where you’ve suffered a sprain can help it heal. Placing ice on the injury site, wearing compression garments to prevent swelling, taking over-the-counter medications and getting plenty of rest also will help with your recovery. However, in severe cases you may need to see a doctor and get a splint or cast to prevent further injury.

Strains

What is a Strain?

A strain occurs when you overstretch or tear the muscle or tendon, the latter of which connects muscles to the bones. Repetitive movements or a single event can lead to a strain, such as a hamstring strain for a soccer player or an injury you experience at the gym from lifting too heavy a weight. The back and hamstring are the most common locations for a strain, though this injury can affect any muscle in the body.

What are the Symptoms?

Bruising, cramping, difficult movement, muscle pain, spasms and weakness and swelling. Depending on whether the strain is mild, moderate or severe, it could take a few days or several weeks to heal.

What about Treatment?

Treatment for a strain is similar to treatment for a sprain: plenty of rest, ice and compression to reduce swelling. But if your injury is serious, if you have severe swelling and difficulty moving, it’s best to see a doctor as soon as possible for treatment.

First aid for Sprains or Strains

Suggestions for immediate treatment of acute sprains or strains include:

1. Stop your activity.
2. Rest the injured area.
3. Put ice packs on the area for 20 minutes every 2 waking hours, separated from the skin by wet towel.
4. Compress or bandage the injured site firmly, extending the wrapping from below to above.
5. Elevate (raise) the injured area above heart height whenever practical.
6. Avoid heat, alcohol, running and direct, firm massage of the affected area in the first 72 hours after the injury, as this can increase swelling.

If symptoms get worse in the first 24 hours, see your doctor for further medical investigation.

Tears

What is a Tear?

A tear occurs when tissue rips in the muscles, ligaments or tendons. Typically, a tear occurs for the same reasons as overstretching such as repeated movements that worsen the injury or one incident that causes the injury. However, a tear is more serious than a strain because it can put you out of commission for longer.

What are the Symptoms?

A tear usually comes with intense pain, severe inflammation, swelling and even bleeding at the injury site. The more severe the tear, the longer it’ll take to heal.

What about Treatment?

Rest, ice, compression and elevation can help your recovery but some tears may require surgery to reconstruct and repair the ligament. One tear you may be familiar with is an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, which is common in athletes. People who suffered from ACL tears were successfully recovered with proper treatment from a medical professional.

Sprains, strains and tears can happen to anyone who is physically active. They also can happen at any time like when you lift a heavy box, land on the wrong foot or during an accidental trip or fall. In most cases, rest, over-the-counter medication and icing the injury will help, as well as compression to reduce swelling. But some injuries may require medical attention and even surgery. If you experience severe swelling that hinders your movement, don’t hesitate to see a doctor. Appropriate and timely medical care could keep it from getting worse.

Athletes are most susceptible

All sports and exercises, even walking, carry a risk of sprains. The areas of the body most at risk for a sprain depend on the specific activities involved. For example, basketball, volleyball, soccer, and other jumping sports share a risk for foot, leg, and ankle sprains.

Soccer, football, hockey, boxing, wrestling, and other contact sports put athletes at risk for strains. So do sports that feature quick starts, like hurdling, long jump, and running races. Gymnastics, tennis, rowing, golf, and other sports that need extensive gripping put participants at higher risk for hand strains. Elbow strains often happen in racquet, throwing, and contact sports.

Treating Sprains, Strains, and Tears

Treatment and recovery depends upon the severity of your injury. In general, mild to moderate sprains, strains, and tears heal on their own in a couple weeks if you follow the RICE method immediately after suffering the injury:

1. Rest. Don’t put any pressure on the affected joint for a day or two. For an ankle sprain or strain, you may need crutches for a few days to give it proper rest.
2. Ice. Apply a cold compress to the joint for 10 minutes at a time to reduce swelling. Make sure not to apply the ice directly to the skin. Instead, wrap it in a towel.
3. Compression. Compression can help tamp down swelling. Try using a compression sleeve or medical bandage to compress the affected joint and restrict movement.
4. Elevation. Raise the injured joint on a pillow. This action prevents fluid from building up in the joint and causing swelling.

Beyond the RICE method, over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications can also be a good way to reduce inflammation and pain. While it will take more than a few days for your joint to fully heal, the pain and swelling should subside within 72 hours if you follow these steps. If that doesn’t happen, you should see an orthopedist for further evaluation. They can work with you to develop the best course of action. While a complete tear may require surgery to repair, many sprains, strains, and tears won’t require any surgical intervention. In most cases, rest is all you need to heal. From there, you can begin working to regain full use of the joint.

A customized physical therapy program can restore your full range of motion using gentle stretching and strengthening exercises. Although moving the affected joint will be uncomfortable at first, it’s important that you continue with the physical therapy in spite of the pain. Otherwise you run the risk of keeping the joint immobile for too long and creating scar tissue on the ligament or tendon. At the same time, make sure not to rush your recovery. Go at a moderate, comfortable pace and your sprain, strain, or tear will soon heal. Your orthopedist and physical therapist will work with you to ensure you are comfortable throughout the process. 

When to see a Doctor

You should see a podiatrist. A podiatrist is a doctor who specializes in the lower extremities and can provide treatments like X-rays, ultrasounds, and orthotics.  If you've injured your foot or ankle and experience any of the following:

1. Increased pain, swelling, bruising, or redness 
2. Difficulty walking 
3. Inability to put weight on your foot 
4. Sudden numbness or tingling 
5. Deformity of the foot 
6. Pain directly over a bone 
7. Home treatment doesn't improve the condition 
8. You're unsure about the severity of the injury 

You may visit Dallas Direct Podiatry in Bethesda, Maryland or contact us today for consultation and make an online appointment. Our best podiatrist will develop a treatment plan to get you back on your feet again pain-free. 

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