What’s the difference between a sprain and a strain injury?
Ligament sprains and muscle strains are some of the more common injuries that occur in Athletics.
This conversation is best started by talking about the difference between muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These tissues are all important components of the musculoskeletal system, but they serve different functions.
Muscles are tissues that contract and relax to produce movement. They are composed of muscle fibers that contain proteins capable of generating force. Muscles are attached to bones by tendons.
Tendons, on the other hand, are tough, fibrous connective tissues that connect muscles to bones. They transmit the force generated by muscles to the bones, allowing movement to occur. Tendons are not capable of actively contracting like muscles; instead, they act as relatively passive connectors, transferring the force generated by muscles to the bones they are attached to.
Ligaments connect bones in your body together across a joint. They are stiff connective tissue that helps stabilize a joint from a stress.
Great, but what about Sprains and Strains?
When a ligament is stretched beyond its limits (from a sudden injury or from excessive chronic/repetitive loading), a sprain can occur. Once a ligament is stretched it is more likely that the affected area could be sprained again in the future. The key is building back resilience in the surrounding musculature to reduce the stress on the healing ligament and have other structures assist in resisting the stress the ligament used to manage on its own.
Strains, ie. pulled muscles, are often mixed up with sprains. They are, in fact, two different injuries! When a muscle/tendon is stretched beyond its limit, a strain or “pulled muscle” can occur. Once the tendon is stretched, it may be more likely that the affected area will be strained again in the future unless you go through a full course of rehabilitation to prepare that tissue for the demands it needs to be ready for.
I suspect I have a Sprain or a Strain… What now?
Seeking out a local Physiotherapist that is familiar with the ins and outs of your favourite activities and sports is a great way to start. They will ask for a thorough history of your injury, conduct a detailed assessment, and put together a rehab plan that involves education, hands-on treatment, active rehab exercises, and potentially other treatments to help optimize your healing.
Some other common injuries that Physiotherapists help individuals with include:
Muscle or ligament tears
Bone fractures
Joint dislocations or instabilities
Repetitive strain injuries, such as tennis elbow or jumper’s knee
Chronic or incompletely healed injuries
- Thanks for reading and keep looking for more posts in the future on other ‘hot topics’ in the world of Physiotherapy and Physical Rehabilitation!
