What's the Difference Between a Strain and a Sprain?
What's a Strain?
Lifting something too heavy, hitting the tennis court before you've warmed up, or the first day back on the field after the off-season of your sport are common precursors to a strain. A strain is often the twisting, pulling, or tearing of a muscle or tendon, which are the fibrous tissues that connect muscles to bones and help them move. Acute strains are sudden injuries, such as jumping and landing improperly, whereas chronic strains are prolonged, repetitive overuse that causes damage to muscle fibers.
Strain Symptoms:
What's a Sprain?
That "pop" that you heard in your joint may be a sprain. When a joint is overextended or severely stressed, it can overstretch or tear a ligament, which are the fibrous tissues that keep bones connected together and stable. Twisting or rolling an ankle, pivoting with your knee, landing on the wrist when falling, and other unnatural movements can cause mild to severe sprains.
Sprains are usually categorized into Grades, depending on the severity of the damage to the ligament.
Sprain Symptoms:
Strains vs. Sprains in the Foot
Feet are the foundation of the body and give us power, flexibility, speed, and mobility when we're active, exercising, or just going about everyday life. Our reliance on them can often come with undue damage and injury, especially when not properly warmed up, stretched, or prepared for intense or sudden movements. Strains and sprains are common in the feet, especially in the ankle, midfoot, and big toe. Resting, icing, elevating, and compressing can help reduce pain, swelling, and other symptoms while giving your body time to heal properly. More severe sprains or chronic strains may need professional medical help.
Warm up, stretch, take time to rest, and use proper footwear and equipment when being active to help prevent strains and sprains. For more tips, tricks, and information, stay tuned to aidmyplantar.com
Lifting something too heavy, hitting the tennis court before you've warmed up, or the first day back on the field after the off-season of your sport are common precursors to a strain. A strain is often the twisting, pulling, or tearing of a muscle or tendon, which are the fibrous tissues that connect muscles to bones and help them move. Acute strains are sudden injuries, such as jumping and landing improperly, whereas chronic strains are prolonged, repetitive overuse that causes damage to muscle fibers.
Strain Symptoms:
- Pain and limited mobility of the muscle
- Muscle spasms or cramping
- Tenderness and swelling
- Bruising or redness
What's a Sprain?
That "pop" that you heard in your joint may be a sprain. When a joint is overextended or severely stressed, it can overstretch or tear a ligament, which are the fibrous tissues that keep bones connected together and stable. Twisting or rolling an ankle, pivoting with your knee, landing on the wrist when falling, and other unnatural movements can cause mild to severe sprains.
Sprains are usually categorized into Grades, depending on the severity of the damage to the ligament.
Sprain Symptoms:
- pain
- bruising
- swelling and stiffness
- instability and limited range of motion
- weakness and tenderness
Strains vs. Sprains in the Foot
Feet are the foundation of the body and give us power, flexibility, speed, and mobility when we're active, exercising, or just going about everyday life. Our reliance on them can often come with undue damage and injury, especially when not properly warmed up, stretched, or prepared for intense or sudden movements. Strains and sprains are common in the feet, especially in the ankle, midfoot, and big toe. Resting, icing, elevating, and compressing can help reduce pain, swelling, and other symptoms while giving your body time to heal properly. More severe sprains or chronic strains may need professional medical help.
Warm up, stretch, take time to rest, and use proper footwear and equipment when being active to help prevent strains and sprains. For more tips, tricks, and information, stay tuned to aidmyplantar.com
