Sprains and Strains: Differences, Symptoms, Treatment
Author: Disabled World (DW)
Updated/Revised Date: 3 Aug 2026
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - About This Section - FAQs - Publications - Subtopics
Synopsis
Learn how a sprain differs from a strain, one a torn ligament and the other a torn muscle or tendon, plus the symptoms, first aid, and treatment of each.
At a Glance
- 1 - More than 25,000 people sprain an ankle every day in the United States.
- 2 - Sprains fall into three grades - mild stretches a ligament, moderate partially tears it, and severe tears it completely.
- 3 - Of the roughly 1 million ankle injuries each year, about 85 percent are sprains.
- 4 - First aid calls for wrapping ice in cloth rather than placing it directly on the skin, and aspirin should never be given to children.
Topic Definition
- Sprains and Strains
Sprains and strains are two of the most common injuries in sports and everyday activity, and although people often confuse them, they affect different tissues. A sprain is a stretched or torn ligament, the band of tissue that connects one bone to another at a joint, and it usually happens when a fall, twist, or blow knocks a joint out of position, with the ankle being the most frequent site. A strain, by contrast, is a stretched or torn muscle or tendon, the tissue that anchors muscle to bone, and it tends to come from overuse or from pulling and twisting the muscle, with the back and hamstrings often affected. Both injuries share symptoms such as pain, swelling, and inflammation, and many people feel a pop or tear at the moment it happens. Treatment for either typically begins with rest, ice, compression, and pain relief, followed by exercise and physical therapy, while severe cases that tear the tissue may need evaluation by a health care provider and sometimes surgery.
Overview
Muscles in the human body allow movement to happen by contracting and making joints flex, extend and rotate. Muscles attach on each side of the joint to bone by thick bands of fibrous tissue called tendons. When a muscle contracts, it shortens and pulls on the tendon, which allows the joint to go through a range of motion.
Sprains and strains are among the most common injuries in sports. A strain occurs when the muscle tendon unit is stretched or torn. The most common reason is the overuse and stretching of the muscle.
1 million ankle injuries occur each year, and 85 percent of them are sprains. Incidence extrapolations for the USA for Ankle sprain: 850,000 per year, 70,833 per month, 16,346 per week, 2,328 per day, 97 per hour, 1 per minute. Extrapolation calculation uses the incidence statistic: 850,000 annually - (NIAMS).
What is the Difference Between a Sprain and a Strain?
Strains
A strain is a stretched or torn muscle or tendon. Tendons are tissues that connect muscle to bone. Twisting or pulling these tissues can cause a strain. Strains can happen suddenly or develop over time. Back and hamstring muscle strains are common. Many people get strains playing sports.
Symptoms of a strain include pain, limited motion, muscle spasms, and possibly muscle weakness. They can also have localized swelling, cramping, or inflammation and, with a minor or moderate strain, usually some loss of muscle function. Patients typically have pain in the injured area and general weakness of the muscle when they attempt to move it. Severe strains that partially or completely tear the muscle or tendon are often very painful and disabling.
Sprains
A sprain is a stretched or torn ligament. Ligaments are tissues that connect bones at a joint. Falling, twisting, or getting hit can all cause a sprain. Ankle and wrist sprains are common. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising and being unable to move your joint. You might feel a pop or tear when the injury happens. A sprain is typically caused by direct or indirect trauma (a fall, a blow to the body, etc.) that knocks a joint out of position, and over-stretches, and, in severe cases, ruptures the supporting ligaments.
Although sprains can occur in both the upper and lower parts of the body, the most common site is the ankle. More than 25,000 individuals sprain an ankle each day in the United States. Symptoms of a sprain include pain, muscle spasm, muscle weakness, swelling, inflammation, and cramping.
While the intensity varies, pain, bruising, swelling, and inflammation are common to all three categories of sprains: mild, moderate, severe. The individual will usually feel a tear or pop in the joint. A severe sprain produces excruciating pain at the moment of injury, as ligaments tear completely, or separate from the bone. This loosening makes the joint nonfunctional. A moderate sprain partially tears the ligament, producing joint instability, and some swelling. A ligament is stretched in a mild sprain, but there is no joint loosening.
Treatments
Treatment of both sprains and strains typically involves resting the injured area, icing it, wearing a bandage or device that compresses the area, and medicines. Later treatment may include exercise and physical therapy.
For people with a moderate or severe sprain, particularly of the ankle, a hard cast may be applied. This often occurs after the initial swelling has subsided. Severe sprains and strains may require surgery to repair the torn ligaments, muscle, or tendons. Surgery is usually performed by an orthopedic surgeon. It is important that moderate and severe sprains and strains be evaluated by a health care provider to allow prompt, appropriate treatment to begin.
First Aid for a Sprain:
- Apply ice right away to reduce swelling. Wrap the ice in cloth. Do not place ice directly on the skin.
- Wrap a bandage around the affected area to limit movement. Wrap firmly, but not tightly. Use a splint if needed. Keep the swollen joint raised above your heart, even while sleeping.
- Rest the affected joint for several days.
- Aspirin, ibuprofen, or other pain relievers can help. DO NOT give aspirin to children.
When to See a Health Care Provider for a Sprain:
- You cannot move the injured joint.
- You have numbness in any part of the injured area.
- Your limb buckles or gives way when you try to use the joint.
- You see redness or red streaks spreading out from the injury.
- You injure an area that has been injured several times before.
- You cannot walk more than four steps without significant pain.
- You have pain, swelling, or redness over a bony part of your foot.
- You have severe pain and cannot put any weight on the injured joint.
- You are in doubt about the seriousness of the injury or how to care for it.
- The injured area looks crooked or has lumps and bumps (other than swelling) that you do not see on the uninjured joint.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a sprain or strain take to heal
Mild sprains and strains often improve within a couple of weeks, while moderate or severe injuries can take many weeks or months, and severe tears may need surgery and longer recovery.
Should you use ice or heat for a sprain
Ice is recommended right after a sprain to reduce swelling, always wrapped in cloth rather than placed directly on the skin, while heat is generally avoided in the early stage of injury.
Can you walk on a sprained ankle
You may be able to walk on a mild sprain, but if you cannot take more than four steps without significant pain or the joint gives way, you should see a health care provider.
What does RICE stand for
RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation, a common approach for treating sprains and strains that helps limit swelling and support the injured area while it heals.
How can sprains and strains be prevented
Warming up before activity, stretching, wearing supportive footwear, strengthening the muscles around joints, and avoiding overuse can all help reduce the risk of sprains and strains.
When does a sprain or strain need surgery
Surgery is usually reserved for severe sprains and strains where a ligament, muscle, or tendon is completely torn, and it is typically performed by an orthopedic surgeon.
What is the difference between a sprain and a fracture
A sprain involves a stretched or torn ligament, while a fracture is a break in the bone itself, and because their symptoms can overlap, imaging such as an X-ray may be needed to tell them apart.
Curated and edited by Ian C. Langtree, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Disabled World. This section is maintained by the Disabled World editorial team.
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