Sprains and strains are a very common type of injury that affect the muscles and ligaments. Ligaments are strong bands of tissue around joints that connect one bone to another. They help to keep the bones together and stable.
Symptoms of sprains and strains include:
- pain
- swelling and inflammation
- loss of movement in the affected body part
Sprains
A sprain occurs when one or more of your ligaments have been stretched, twisted, or torn, usually as a result of excessive force being applied to a joint. The most common locations for a sprain to occur are:
- the knee - which can become strained when a person turns quickly during sports or other physical activities
- the ankle - which can become strained when walking or running on an uneven surface
- the wrist - which can become strained when a person falls onto their hand
- the thumb - which can become strained during intense and repetitive physical activity, such as playing a racquet sport
Strains
A strain occurs when the muscle fibres stretch or tear. They usually occur for one of two reasons:
- when the muscle has been stretched beyond its limits
- when the muscle has been forced to contract (shorten too quickly)
Strains can develop as the result of an accident, or during physical or sporting activities, such as running or playing football.
The most common types of strains are:
- hamstring strains - the hamstrings are muscles that run down the back of the leg and are connected to the hip and knee joints
- gastrocnemius and soleus strains - the gastrocnemius and soleus are the medical name for the muscles of the calf
- quadriceps strains - the quadriceps are muscles located at the front of the thigh
- lumbar strains - the lumbar muscles are found in the lower back
How common are sprains and strains?
It is hard to estimate exactly how common sprains and strains are because many people do not report minor injuries to their GP.
However, it is known that an ankle sprain is the most common type of sprain, accounting for an estimated 1-1.5 million visits to accident and emergency (A&E) departments each year in the UK.
Muscle strains are very common injuries that affect those who play a lot of sport, such as professional sportspeople . For example, it is estimated that 90% of professional footballers will experience at least one muscle strain during the course of a football season.
Outlook
The outlook for sprains is usually good and most people will be able to resume normal activities within six to eight weeks.
The outlook for people with muscle strains depends on the location and severity of the strain. For example, people a minor hamstring strain can usually resume normal activities within three weeks, whereas people with a severe quadriceps strain will probably have to wait several months.
Most sprains and strains can usually be treated with self-care techniques, such as using ice packs to help reduce inflammation.
