Sprain or Strain?

Is your injury a sprain or a strain and what do these terms mean? This week we will bring you definitions and explain the difference between these two common injuries.

Strain:

A tear to muscle or tendons, caused by extensive stretch or forceful contraction.

Strains result in the muscle not being able to function optimally to provide movement or actively support movement

Sprain:

A tear to the inelastic fibres of a ligament caused when a joint is stretched further than it’s limits.

Sprains result in the joint being less structurally stable, as ligaments stop excessive movement.

Sprains and strains affect different tissues, therefore have different acute and long term management and healing times.

Sprains and strains both have potential to reoccur. Risk is reduced risk reduced with proper rehabilitation.