July 30, 2019 · Uncategorized

Sprain Vs. Strain

Archived article recovered from the former Rupert Health Centre WordPress blog. It is presented for historical information and has not been updated; it is not personal medical advice.

Many people confuse these two words or use them interchangeably, but there is a difference between a sprain and a strain.

To understand the differences you would need to also understand what a tendon and a ligament is. Ligaments are fibrous tissues that connect bones to bones whereas tendons are fibrous tissue that connect muscles to bones.

A sprain is a stretch or tear in a ligament and strains are stretches or tears in a muscle or tendon. The most comment injury is an ankle sprain, for example when you roll your ankle when you stepped on an uneven surface. Strains are most common in contact sports or overworking the muscle. Both are accompanied by swelling, redness and pain. It is important to ice the area and see a doctor if symptoms persist or worsen or you can’t bear weight.

Questions about your symptoms? Book an assessment or call 604.435.2285.