Sprains and Strains, what’s the difference?
Understanding Chiropractic Care in newcastle, NSW: what is an adjustment
Understanding Sprains
A sprain, a common injury, occurs when the body's ligaments, which are vital connective tissues joining bones together, experience stretching and tearing. Ligaments play a crucial role in stabilising and supporting our joints. For instance, in the knee, ligaments connect the upper and lower leg, enabling activities like walking and running. Sprains often affect the ankle, especially if you've had a previous injury there, and repeated sprains can lead to issues like ankle arthritis, loose ankles, or tendon injuries.
Frequent Locations of Ligament Sprains:
Shoulder (Acromioclavicular, transverse ligament)
Elbow (Medial and Lateral collateral)
Wrist (Carpal tunnel)
Knee (Anterior and Posterior Cruciate, Medial and Lateral Collateral)
Ankle (Lateral Ankle Ligaments/ Syndesmosis, Deltoid)
Understanding Strains
On the other hand, strains are injuries that primarily affect muscles and tendons. Tendons are cord-like tissues that attach muscles to bones. Acute strains result from the overstretching or pulling of a muscle or tendon, while chronic strains are typically due to the repetitive use of these tissues without sufficient rest during intense physical activity.
What are the causes of Sprains and Strains:
Sprains usually result from direct or indirect trauma, such as falls or blows to the body, which can dislocate joints, overstretch ligaments, and even rupture them in severe cases. Acute strains are typically caused by direct blows, overstretching, or excessive muscle contractions, while chronic strains arise from prolonged, repetitive movements without adequate rest.
Who's at Risk:
Sprains and strains can affect both athletes and the general public. Individuals at a higher risk include those with a history of these injuries, overweight individuals, and those in poor physical condition. The specific risk areas depend on the activities involved. For example, jumping sports like basketball and volleyball pose a risk for foot, leg, and ankle sprains, while contact sports such as soccer, football, and hockey are more prone to strains.
Identifying Sprains:
Signs of a sprain often include pain, bruising, swelling, and inflammation. In severe cases, you may feel a tear or pop in the joint, resulting in excruciating pain and joint instability. Moderate sprains involve partial ligament tears and some swelling, while mild sprains only entail stretched ligaments without joint loosening.
Identifying Strains: Typical signs of strains encompass pain, muscle spasms, muscle weakness, swelling, inflammation, and cramping. Severe strains can lead to partial or complete muscle/tendon ruptures, while moderate strains involve overstretched and slightly torn muscles/tendons. Mild strains entail stretched or pulled muscles/tendons.
Common Locations for Muscle Strains:
Shoulder to elbow (Rotator Cuff, biceps, and triceps)
Elbow to wrist region (Extensor/Flexor muscle groups)
Spine (Trapezius, Latissimus dorsi, and Quadratus lumborum)
Hip to Knee region (Quadriceps, Hamstring, Hip Flexor, and Adductors)
Knee to Ankle (calf and peroneals)
Treatment Approaches:
Managing sprains and strains typically involves rest, compression, and elevation and gentle movement in pain free ranges to minimise damage. Evaluation by a Chiropractor is crucial, especially for moderate to severe cases, to establish a treatment and rehabilitation plan. While mild cases may require rehabilitation exercises and activity modification during recovery, severe injuries may necessitate surgery, immobilisation, followed by months of therapy.
