Sprains – Symptoms and Causes

Overview

A sprain happens when ligaments get stretched or torn. This injury most commonly affects the ankle.

When you roll, twist, or turn your ankle awkwardly, you can stretch or tear the ligaments that stabilize the ankle bones, particularly the three ligaments on the outside of your ankle.

It’s important to distinguish between sprains and strains. A sprain involves injury to the tissue connecting two bones, while a strain affects either a muscle or the tissue attaching muscle to bone.

Most minor sprains heal with proper home care. However, severe cases where ligaments are completely torn may require surgical intervention to repair the damage and restore joint stability.

Signs and Your Body

Minor sprains can be cared for at home. However, the same accidents that cause sprains might also lead to more serious injuries like broken bones. You should make an appointment with your doctor if:

• You cannot move or put weight on the injured joint
• You feel pain directly over the bones of the joint that was hurt
• You experience numbness in any area of the injury

Pain, swelling, and bruising are common symptoms of sprains. You might also notice limited movement in the joint that’s injured. Sometimes, people hear or feel a “pop” in their joint when the injury happens.

What Causes Sprains

Sprains happen when ligaments around a joint get stretched too far or tear. This injury occurs during specific movements that put unusual stress on joints:

• Ankle Sprains: Often result from walking on uneven ground or landing badly after jumping.
• Knee Sprains: Commonly occur when changing direction quickly during sports.
• Wrist Sprains: Typically happen when people fall and land on an open hand.
• Thumb Sprains: Usually caused by ski accidents or overextending the thumb during racquet sports like tennis.

Children experience sprains differently than adults. Their bones have growth plates (softer areas near bone ends) that are typically weaker than their ligaments. Because of this difference, children are more likely to break bones rather than sprain ligaments when injured.

Risk Factors

Several factors can increase your chance of getting a sprain:

• Environment: Walking or running on slippery floors or uneven ground makes injuries more likely.
• Tiredness: When your muscles get tired, they don’t support your joints as well, making sprains easier to happen.
• Poor Equipment: Wearing shoes that don’t fit right or using worn-out sports gear can lead to sprains.

These factors often combine to create situations where your joints may twist or bend beyond their normal range of motion.

Prevention

Preventing injuries like sprains requires a balanced approach to physical activity. Regular stretching and strengthening exercises can significantly lower your injury risk. Remember to build fitness before participating in demanding activities. Don’t use the activities themselves to get in shape.

For those who have experienced a joint injury, strengthening the muscles around that joint provides natural protection. This “muscle brace” offers better long-term support than external devices alone. Ask a healthcare provider about exercises that improve joint stability and strength.

Proper footwear also plays a crucial role in prevention. Choose shoes that provide adequate support and protection for your specific activities.

Key prevention strategies:

• Regular conditioning appropriate for your activities.
• Proper warm-up before physical exertion.
• Strengthening exercises for muscles surrounding vulnerable joints.
• Supportive footwear designed for your specific activity.