What is a sprain? Learn about its causes, symptoms, and treatments. 

Dr.Bharat Bahre, 4 mins read

You must have gotten a sprain in your leg while running, walking, or doing any other type of work, and then been unable to straighten the leg for some time and bear the pain and discomfort.  It's a difficult time. But, after all, how does a sprain occur, and is it limited to the foot? Let us understand the sprain in detail. 

A sprain is caused by the stretching or tearing of ligaments due to excessive pressure or tension. Ligaments are strong bands of fibrous tissue that connect two bones at a joint in our body. These ligaments aid in the alignment, stabilization, and function of the joints. When one of our joints sprains, it loses its ability to function or move normally. A severe sprain can sometimes cause the bones to become unstable, which can be extremely painful.   

Sprain vs. Strain 

Sprain and Strain are frequently confused with one another. Although the symptoms and problems are similar, there is a fundamental difference between the two that sets them apart slightly. For example- A Sprain is the stretching or tearing of ligaments while muscle damage that supports the bones or tendons that connect them to the bone is a Strain. Apart from that, sprains do not always occur in the foot or heel; falling forward or working quickly can cause sprains in the wrist and thumb, while the strain generally occurs behind the waist and knees. 

Sprain Symptoms: 

Following are some of the symptoms of Sprain.  Symptoms may vary on the severity of the injury: 

• Pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• A problem with joints
• At the time of the injury, you may hear or feel a pop/cracking in your joint. 
• Stiffness

The signs and symptoms of a sprain injury differ from person to person. Some people may experience one or two of the symptoms listed above, while others may experience different symptoms. You may also have to deal with other issues in addition to these symptoms. 

Sprain Causes: 

Excessive pressure, force, or vigorous work causes sudden impact and tension on our ligaments, resulting in a sprain. Following are some of the major causes: 

• Jogging or running 
• Heavy lifting 
• Sudden slip or fall
• Sitting or standing in an unusual position

Sprain Diagnosis: 

A physical examination is usually used by the doctor to diagnose a sprain, during which he checks the motion and flexibility of your affected limb.  Apart from this, the doctor may perform an X-ray or an MRI to see an image of your internal condition and check the actual condition of your joints and bones. 

How to control and prevent a sprain? 

The following methods can be used to control the sprain, ranging from prevention to home remedies: 

• Stretching and warming up to make your body, muscles, and ligaments more flexible
• Warming up before exercise is important because it reduces the risk of injury
• Exercise regularly to strengthen your muscles and joints
• Do not put excessive pressure or tension while doing exercise or any other physical activity.
• When you have a sprained limb or joint, do not put pressure or stress on it as this can worsen the condition
• Wear comfortable shoes and exercise with caution.
• Maintain a proper standing, sitting, walking, or sleeping position.
• Allow your body to rest completely before resuming your routine activity.

Sprain Treatment: 

Sprains are treated in the ways listed below: 

• Home Remedies - Sprains are commonly treated with home remedies. You can apply the RICE approach for immediate self-care:

1. R- Rest - Activities that cause pain, swelling, or discomfort should be avoided. However, you should not avoid all physical activity.
2. I – Ice - For the first few days after the injury, apply an ice pack or a slush bath of ice and water for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, repeating every two to three hours.
3. C- Compression - Compress the affected area with an elastic bandage until the swelling subsides. Don't wrap it too tightly or you'll suffocate the circulation. Begin wrapping from the farthest end away from your heart. If the pain worsens, the area becomes numb, or swelling occurs below the wrapped area, loosen the wrap.
4. E- Elevation - Elevate the injured area above the level of your heart, particularly at night, to allow gravity to assist in reducing swelling.

You should keep in mind that home remedies should only be used after you have received complete information from your doctor because it has the potential to exacerbate the problem in a wide range of patients and conditions. 

• Use of Pain Killer medicines - If the pain is severe due to the sprain, doctors advise taking pain relievers. As a result, the ability to bear pain increases and provides relief.
• Arthroscopic Examination - As part of the treatment and investigation, the doctor may use arthroscopy to examine the sprain and internal condition, which involves a small operation to look inside your joints. However, it is only done in extreme cases or when the condition causing the pain and swelling is unknown
• Reconstruction - If the alignment of your joints or bones has deteriorated due to a sprain, the surgeon will use surgery to repair the ligament. He may also use other ligaments or tendons to support the injured ligament.

If you have a sprain for any reason, do not ignore it. Aside from home remedies, see a doctor as soon as possible. After consulting with a doctor, it is determined how severe the injury or pain is and what type of treatment is required. Sprains can sometimes be relieved simply by taking some medications and resting. 

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