Is It a Sprain or a Strain? Here's How to Tell the Difference

Sprains and strains are common orthopedic injuries. For example, ankle sprains are among the most common musculoskeletal injuries. However, you might wonder how a sprain differs from a strain and whether the treatment is the same. 

Our board-certified orthopedic surgeons with Alpine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine treat many sprains and strains throughout the year. 

Whether you sustain a skiing, tennis, or hiking injury, or suffer a fall or motor vehicle accident, our doctors offer a prompt diagnosis and expert treatment to get you back on the slopes, court, or road. 

Our physicians have additional training in sports medicine. We offer in-house diagnostics, including X-rays and MRIs, so that you don’t have to waste time and effort scheduling imaging tests. We also have an on-site surgical center. 

Sprains and strains have similar symptoms 

Symptoms of sprains and strains are quite similar. You’ll feel sudden pain in the affected area, whether it’s a knee, back, or ankle. 

The injured area usually becomes swollen and tender to the touch. You might develop a bruise. You may also feel unstable if the injury is in your leg or ankle. You may not be able to bear much, if any, weight on the injured leg or ankle. 

Sprains and strains vary from minor or moderate to severe. For example, if you hear a sound like a “pop” in your knee during an accident, you may have completely severed your anterior cruciate ligament — a severe injury. 

Sprains are injured ligaments 

A sprain means you’ve injured a ligament, which is a tough band of fibrous tissue that connects bones to each other. 

Your ligaments provide stability to your joints. For example, you have four ligaments in your knee joint that connect your thigh bone, or femur, to your shin bones, or tibia and fibula. They help keep your knee joint in place as you twist and turn. 

Because ligaments connect bones and help stabilize joints, they’re usually located in your knees, wrists, shoulders, hips, and ankles. These are features that distinguish them from strains. 

Athletes are at risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injuries. If your ACL injury is severe, you’ll need surgery to play at a competitive level again. Our orthopedic surgeons are trained in sports medicine. 

Strains are injured muscles or tendons

If you have a strain, it’s due to an injury to a muscle or tendon. Tendons connect muscles to bones. Muscles often become injured in the hamstrings, back, and calves. 

If you hurt your back lifting weights during a hard workout, you may have injured a muscle. If a back muscle spasms, it may be difficult to stand up or walk. 

If your shoulder hurts, you may have a strain in your rotator cuff tendons. Tennis, football, and basketball players are at risk of rotator cuff injuries because of overuse. 

Treatment for sprains and strains 

Minor sprains and strains recover with conservative treatment. Use the RICE method (rest, ice, compression, elevation) at home and take over-the-counter pain relievers. 

If you have a muscle spasm, you may need a prescription for a muscle relaxant. If you don’t feel better in a few days, call our office to make an appointment. 

If your injury causes continued severe pain, you aren’t able to bear weight, or your joint is unstable, call our office right away because you need medical treatment. 

If you have a musculoskeletal injury or joint aches and pains, call Alpine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine or request an appointment through our online portal today.