Outline
- What is The Difference Between a Sprain and a Strain
- The Symptoms Of Sprain And Strain
- The Causes Of Sprain Or Strain
- Grading Your Sprain Or Strain
- The Physiotherapy Management Of Sprain or Strain
- The Takeaway
What is The Difference Between a Sprain and a Strain
A sprain and a strain are similar types of soft tissue injuries that affect different tissues in the body. Their similarities can make it difficult to distinguish between the two. Hence, people often use the terms interchangeably to describe injuries involving overstretching or tearing of soft tissues around the joints. (7)(8)
Soft tissue injuries involve muscles, tendons (connect muscles to bones), and ligaments (connect bones to other bones). (5)(8)
Sprains specifically refer to injuries to ligaments, while strains describe injuries to muscles and tendons. Sprains of ligaments typically occur in the knee, ankle joints, and sometimes the shoulder. These injuries can happen during intense daily activities or sports. If not treated properly, they can lead to severe complications, including disability or even death. (2)
The symptoms of a sprain and a strain are very similar. It’s no wonder the two conditions may confuse you.
The Symptoms Of Sprain And Strain
The key difference is that a sprain usually leaves bruises around the joint, while a strain can cause muscle spasms. (7) Here are their symptoms;
Muscle strain
- Swelling,
- Muscle spasm
- Pain
- Limited use of the muscle
- Muscle weakness
- The Palpable muscle gaps
Sprain
- Bruising
- Joint pain
- swelling
- stiffness
- Limited joint range of movement (7)
The Causes Of Sprain Or Strain
Sprains and strains commonly arise from sudden or excessive stress on muscles or ligaments. Strenuous exercise without proper conditioning, inadequate warm-up, improper lifting, or sudden movements are frequent culprits. Traumatic events such as twisting or rapidly rotating, accidents, falls, or repetitive motions play a role. (1)(6)
Grading A Strain And A Sprain
| Strain | Sprain |
| Grade I (Mild) strains affect only a few muscle fibers. The muscle strength stays the same, and you can move your muscles fully. You might not feel pain or tenderness until the next day. Grade II (moderate) strain means about half of the muscle fibers are torn. It causes sharp pain, swelling, and reduced muscle strength. Grade III (Severe) strains occur when the muscle completely tears. It can happen if the tendon pulls away from the muscle or if the muscle itself splits into two parts. This type of strain causes extreme swelling, intense pain, and a total loss of function. (9) | Grade I – There is microscopic structural damage with slight tenderness in a specific area, but the joint is stable. Grade II – Partial tear of the ligament. It results in visible swelling and noticeable tenderness, but the joint remains stable or has only mild instability. Grade III – This is a severe sprain with a complete ligament tear. It causes significant swelling and joint instability. (10) |
The Physiotherapy Management Of Sprain or Strain
The main goals of physiotherapy are to heal any tissue damage from an injury, reduce pain, prevent joint stiffness, improve muscle strength, and restore muscle and joint function. (4)
Within 48 to 72 hours after the injury, your physiotherapist may manage the acute strain or sprain with the POLICE (Protection, Optimal Loading, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) method. (3)
Other Interventions are;
- Electrical Stimulation: This physiotherapy treatment reduces pain by delivering electrical currents into the body, improving muscle strength and blood circulation. Types of electrical stimulation include TENS, NMES, IFC, Iontophoresis, and Russian Stimulation.
- Manual therapy: It involves using hands-on techniques. There are two main types: soft tissue techniques/massage and joint techniques. (11)
- Therapeutic exercises: Involve optimal range of motion, strength, and flexibility exercises. (10)
The Takeaway
Sprains and strains are common soft tissue injuries that often confuse people due to similar symptoms but affect different tissues. Sprains involve ligaments, while strains affect muscles or tendons. Despite their similarities, accurate diagnosis and proper physiotherapy management are essential to avoid complications. Prompt treatment, such as the POLICE method and targeted rehab strategies, can promote healing, restore function, and prevent long-term damage.
References
- Khan, A., Jamil, M., Butti, S., Ahmad, I., Ullah, H., & Khan, A. (2023). Causes, Precautions and Management of Risk Factors Associated with Sports Injuries: Risk Factors Associated with Sports Injuries. THE THERAPIST (Journal of Therapies & Rehabilitation Sciences), 56-58.
- Mawarda, U., & Nurjannah, M. (2024). The Influence of Health Education & Training on Knowledge and Skills of KSR Students in Sprain & Strain First Aid Using the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) Method in Samarinda. Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan, 12(2), 141-148. https://journals.umkt.ac.id/index.php/jik/article/view/3827
- Mohd Salim, N. S., Umar, M. A., & Shaharudin, S. (2018). Effects of the standard physiotherapy programme on pain and isokinetic ankle strength in individuals with grade I ankle sprain. Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences, 13(6), 576–581. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtumed.2018.10.007
- Palermi, S., Massa, B., Vecchiato, M., Mazza, F., De Blasiis, P., Romano, A. M., … & Sirico, F. (2021). Indirect structural muscle injuries of lower limb: Rehabilitation and therapeutic exercise. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 6(3), 75. https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/6/3/75
- RUE, B. D., EASTWOOD, C., EDWARDS, J., & CUTHBERT, S. Sprain and strain injuries on New Zealand dairy farms during spring. In Science Symposium 2022 (p. 43).
- Seyedahmadi, M., Razi, M. J., & Akbari, H. (2023). Prevalence of sports injuries and related causes among male students aged 7–15 years in Yazd, Iran, 2022. Journal of Preventive and Complementary Medicine, 2(4), 180-186.
