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Sprains and Strains
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Injuries Wounds

Sprains and Strains

Sprains and strains are common injuries involving the stretching or tearing of ligaments, muscles, or tendons.

Sprains

A sprain is a stretched or torn ligament. Ligaments are tissues that connect bones at a joint. Falling, twisting, or getting hit can all cause a sprain. Ankle and wrist sprains are common. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and being unable to move your joint. You might feel a pop or tear when the injury happens.

Strains

A strain is a stretched or torn muscle or tendon. Tendons are tissues that connect muscle to bone. Twisting or pulling these tissues can cause a strain. Strains can happen suddenly or develop over time. Back and hamstring muscle strains are common. Many people get strains playing sports. Symptoms include pain, muscle spasms, swelling, and trouble moving the muscle.

Treatment

At first, treatment of both sprains and strains usually involves resting the injured area, icing it, wearing a bandage or device that compresses the area, and medicines. Later treatment might include exercise and physical therapy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most athletes resume light jogging 2–3 weeks after a grade‑2 strain if pain has subsided, there is no swelling, and they can perform a straight‑leg raise without pain. Progress to a structured rehab program that includes gradual eccentric strengthening, flexibility work, and sport‑specific drills. Return to full running is usually safe when the athlete can run a mile at a comfortable pace without pain, maintain normal gait, and achieve at least 90% of pre‑injury strength on functional testing.
comprehensive home program includes: 1) early RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) for the first 48 hours; 2) gentle range‑of‑motion exercises (ankle circles, alphabet tracing) after swelling subsides; 3) progressive strengthening (theraband eversion/inversion, calf raises); 4) proprioceptive training (balance board, single‑leg stance on foam) performed daily; and 5) gradual return to activity with sport‑specific drills. Consistency for at least 4–6 weeks helps restore stability and reduces recurrence risk.
NSAIDs can reduce pain and swelling in a wrist sprain, but they may raise blood pressure or interfere with antihypertensive medications. If you have hypertension, discuss with your physician before using NSAIDs; acetaminophen or topical NSAID gels may be safer alternatives. Always follow dosing instructions and monitor blood pressure while taking systemic NSAIDs.
mild ankle sprain presents with localized ligament tenderness, swelling, and bruising that improves with rest and compression. A subtle fracture may have point tenderness over a bone (e.g., the distal fibula or talus), pain that worsens with weight‑bearing despite immobilization, and possible crepitus. An X‑ray is the definitive test; if pain persists after 48–72 hours of appropriate sprain care, imaging should be obtained to rule out fracture.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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