Sprains and Strains

Do You Have a Strain or a Sprain?

If your ankle or wrist is hurting and swells to an abnormal size, then you may wonder what is wrong. It is more likely that you have a strain or a sprain rather than a fracture, but you should determine what the problem is by visiting the WellCare Urgent Care Center. With a physical examination and medical images, a physician can see if there is a broken bone, torn cartilage, or other problems in a joint. However, there is a difference between strains and sprains. A strain injury occurs when a band of tissue or a muscle that is attached to a bone is damaged. Alternatively, a sprain involves an injury to the band of tissues that connect two bones together.

What Are the Symptoms?

The most common cause of sprains or strains is from playing sports that require twisting, running, or bouncing movements. Strains tend to occur in the hamstring muscles of the legs or in the lower area of the back while sprains are more likely in the wrists, knees, or ankles. Both types of injuries can include having tears in the tendons or muscles, leading to additional discomfort, swelling, or immobility. With a strain, you may experience a cramping sensation in the muscles that will radiate to other parts of your body.

What Causes These Injuries?

There are other reasons why you could suffer a strain or a sprain. Overextending the arms to reach for something can injure the shoulder, neck, arm, or back muscles while walking on an uneven surface or tripping on the stairs can harm the ankles, back, or hips. Walking on a slippery surface, lifting heavy boxes, or engaging in strenuous sports can lead to an overused muscle. Some strains occur suddenly from one poorly executed movement, but there are also repetitive strain injuries that can take days, weeks, or months to occur.

Remedies for Strains and Sprains

The best treatment for most strains and sprains is by applying ice to the injured body part while elevating or resting the ankle or wrist. Keep the ice pack on the injury for 20 minutes each time, and you can repeat this process for several days. You may find relief from pain by wearing a compression garment or brace while the strain or sprain heals. It is possible to find these compression devices at local or online drugstores.

Come into WellCare

If you have sustained a strain or sprain then come into WellCare Urgent Care center right away to get immediate medical attention. Book a same-day appointment online at both our Cascade and Leonard locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is surgery required to fix a sprain? Most of the time, a sprain can be treated with ice and rest. However, if the ligament is severely torn, you may need surgery to fix this injury. How long will it take for my sprain to heal? Most sprains are mid-grade or minor and will take 1-4 weeks to heal. However, more serious sprains can take up to 12 weeks to fully heal. Schedule an appointment to determine the severity of your sprain and receive a more accurate timeline. Should I stretch my sprained ankle? After a few days have passed and the worst of the pain has subsided, you can start gently stretching your sprained ankle by flexing it and moving it in circles a few times a day. Continue stretching after the ankle has healed to prevent reinjury. How can I speed up recovery from a sprain or strain? Sprains cause swelling so elevating the sprained area, uses compression and ice, and taking a break from sports/exercise will all help reduce that swelling and speed up recovery. What is the difference between a sprain and a strain? A sprain occurs when a ligament (the connecting tissue between 2 bones) is stretched or torn. Strains are a tear or twist in the muscle or tendon. Strains are caused by stretching or pulling a muscle and sprains are caused by injuries like a fall or blow to the body that stresses the joint and supporting ligaments.