| Take
the Sprains and Strains Quiz
Sprain? Strain? The terms for these injuries
sound so similar, what's the difference? Find
out by taking this quiz, based on information
from the National Institute of Arthritis and
Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
1. If you have a sprain, it means you've
injured a ligament.
True
False
Answer: True. The injury can be either
an overstretching or a tear of one or more ligaments.
Ligaments are tough bands of tissue that hold
two bones together. How bad a sprain is depends
on whether the ligament is torn completely or
just partially. Also, the more ligaments involved,
the more severe the injury. Most sprains are
minor injuries.
2. In a strain, a muscle or tendon is involved.
True
False
Answer: True. Like a sprain, a strain
involves an overstretch or a complete or partial
tear, but of a muscle or tendon instead of a
ligament. Tendons are similar to ligaments in
that they are tough bands of tissue, but they
attach a muscle to a bone instead of holding
two bones together. Like sprains, most strains
are minor injuries.
3. The most common site for a sprain is
the wrist.
True
False
Answer: False. The most common site
is the ankle. In fact, ankle sprains are the
most common injury in the United States. About
1 million ankle injuries occur each year, and
85 percent of them are sprains. An ankle sprain
occurs when the foot turns inward as a person
runs, turns, falls or lands on the ankle after
a jump. This type of sprain is called an inversion
injury.
4. A typical sprain occurs when a person
missteps and lands on the side of the foot.
True
False
Answer: True. A sprain can also occur
when a person falls and lands on an outstretched
arm, or twists the knee when the foot is already
planted on the ground. In sports, sliding into
base or getting a blow to the body that forces
a joint out of its normal position can also
result in a sprain. Any event that forces a
joint from its normal position can overstretch
or tear a ligament.
5. One symptom of a sprain is a popping
sound from the affected joint when the injury
occurs.
True
False
Answer: True. This does not happen in
all cases, however. Usual symptoms of a sprain
include pain, swelling and bruising at the joint.
You may not be able to move the joint or it
may be extremely painful to move it. The symptoms
vary in intensity, depending on the severity
of the sprain.
6. You should see your health care provider
for a sprain if you cannot move or put weight
on the injured joint.
True
False
Answer: True. Other times to see your
health care provider for a sprain: the injured
joint is tender to touch; the injured area looks
crooked or has bumps not visible on an uninjured
joint; your leg buckles when you try to use
your injured knee or ankle; the injured area
is numb; or the injured area has been injured
previously.
7. The back is a common site for strains.
True
False
Answer: True. Another common site is
the hamstring muscle, at the back of the thigh.
People who play contact sports such as soccer,
football or hockey are at risk for strains.
Hand and forearm strains are more common among
people who play tennis, row or golf. Elbow strains
can occur if you play racquet sports. Overuse
of a joint can result in a chronic strain. For
a chronic strain, the damage accumulates slowly,
rather than all at once as in a fall or a blow
to the joint.
8. A muscle spasm can be a symptom of a
strain.
True
False
Answer: True. Other symptoms include
pain and muscle weakness. At the site of the
injury, there may be swelling, cramping or inflammation.
A severe strain involving a muscle or tendon
tear can be very painful and disabling.
9. You should treat a sprain or strain by
applying moist heat.
True
False
Answer: False. You should follow the
RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) treatment
for the first one to two days after the injury:
Rest the injured joint, apply an icepack for
20 minutes four to eight times a day, wrap the
joint with a compression bandage and elevate
it above the level of your heart. Your health
care provider may recommend a non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen
to help reduce pain and swelling. A moderate
to severe sprain or strain may need a cast or
brace to hold the joint still while it heals.
A severe sprain or strain may require surgery
to repair the tear. How long it takes a sprain
or strain to heal depends on the severity of
the injury. A moderate ankle sprain might need
up to six weeks to heal; a severe sprain might
need a year.
10. Wearing shoes that fit properly is one
way to prevent a sprain or strain.
True
False
Answer: True. Other ways to prevent
sprains and strains include maintaining a healthy
weight; avoiding falls by keeping walkways in
and around your home clear of clutter and by
using sand or salt on icy patches in the winter;
and wearing protective equipment when a playing
a sport that puts you at risk for a sprain or
strain.
Copyright 2003 Health
Ink and Vitality Communications, 780 Township
Line Road, Yardley, PA 19067, 1-800-524-1176
Publication: Created for Web
Publication Date: February 2003
Author: Dianna Sinovic
Source: National Institute of Arthritis and
Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Online Editor: Phil Fuhrer
Online Medical Reviewer: Cynthia Godsey, M.S.N.,
F.N.P./C., Gordon Lambert, M.D.
Date Last Modified: 6/13/03
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