You’ve probably had a sprain or strain at some point in your life. Chronic sprains and strains are not good as they lead to lasting problems such as weakness and joint damage. However, did you know that being strong, flexible, and having good posture can go a long way to stopping sprains and strains? Sprains and strains are extremely common injuries to the musculoskeletal system.
What are sprains?
A sprain is an injury that overstretches or tears a ligament (tissue that connects bone to bone), which provides joints their stability. A severely damaged ligament during an injury or accident can cause a joint to become unstable. Symptoms may include pain, inflammation and in some cases, the inability to move a joint (elbow, wrist or shoulder). Sprains occur when a joint is forced beyond its normal range of motion, such as bending your wrist back during a fall. If you still have pain from a past injury, this is probably because you never fully recovered from the sprain or the joint is unstable. Sprains can be mild, or they can be traumatic, such as in the case of an automobile or workplace accident.
What are strains?
A strain is an injury that overstretches or tears muscles or tendons (connects muscles to bones). A strain typically occurs at the point where the muscle is becoming a tendon and is stretched too fast, then suddenly contracts, as with quickly grasping for a falling heavy object.
This type of injury is frequently seen with lifting and twisting while carrying something. This places the small muscles in the elbow and forearm on a tremendous load straining them. This causes elbow and forearm pain as well as sharp spasms with movement as your body tries to protect the injured area from moving.
The severity of sprains and strains
Sprains and strains are categorized according to severity. A Grade I (mild) sprain or strain involves some stretching or minor tearing of a ligament or muscle. A Grade II (moderate) sprain or strain is a ligament or muscle that is partially torn but still intact. A Grade III (severe) sprain or strain means that the ligament or muscle is completely torn, resulting in joint instability.
The key to a great recovery is occupational therapy! We help people quickly recover from minor to severe sprains and strains every day. If you or someone you know is suffering from pain or limited movement, call us today in New York, NY Carle Place, NY visit us to learn more about how we can relieve the pain and get you back to enjoying life!
