Just another iHealthSpot WP02 site

Refer a Patient
Call Today (561) 752-3820
Request an Appointment
MENUMENU
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Meet Our Therapists
    • Meet Our Staff
    • Office Tour
    • Testimonials
  • Location
    • Boynton Beach, FL
  • Areas of Expertise
    • Aquatic Therapy
    • Orthopedic Rehabilitation
    • Joint Conditions
    • Sports Injuries
    • Balance & Walking Programs
    • Workers’ Compensation
    • Cervical & Lumbar Decompression
  • What Hurts
    • Headache/Neck
      • Cervical or neck pain
      • Bulging discs
      • Herniated discs
      • Spinal stenosis
      • Degenerative disc disease
      • Whiplash
      • Facet syndrome
      • Pre- & Post-Spine Surgery
      • Arthritis
      • Muscle tension headaches
      • Vertigo
      • Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction
    • Shoulder/Elbow/Wrist/Hand
    • Back/Hip
      • Low back or lumbar pain
      • Bulging discs
      • Herniated discs
      • Spinal stenosis
      • Degenerative disc disease
      • Sciatica
      • Facet syndrome
      • Slipped vertebrae - Spondylolisthesis
      • Vertebral compression fracture – Spondylolysis
      • Pre- & Post-Spine Surgery
      • Arthritis
      • Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
      • Sacral pain
      • Bursitis
      • Sprains and strains
      • Fractures
    • Knee/Ankle/Foot
      • Knee ligament tear (ACL, PCL, MCL and LCL)
      • Meniscal (cartilage) tear
      • Patellofemoral (knee) joint syndrome (chondromalacia)
      • Shin splints
      • Iliotibial band syndrome
      • Arthritis
      • Tendonitis
      • Fractures
      • Ankle sprains and instability
      • Heel pain
      • Heel spurs
      • Plantar fasciitis
      • Achilles tendon problems
      • Neuromas
      • Stress fractures
  • Patient Resources
    • Insurance & Payment
    • Patient Education
  • Contact
    • Location, Phone and Office Hours
    • Urgent Medical Needs
    • Insurance/Payment/Billing
    • Referrals

Sprains & Strains

  • Introduction
  • Anatomy
  • Causes
  • Symptoms
  • Diagnosis
  • Treatment
  • Am I at Risk
  • Complications

Introduction

Sprains and strains are common injuries that can happen to anyone, but occur most frequently in people who participate in sports, perform repetitive activities, or are at-risk for falls.  Sprains involve the tissues that connect bones together (ligaments).  Strains involve a different group of tissues, muscles and the tendons that connect muscles to bones.  Mild sprains and strains can heal with rest and home care.  Significant sprains and strains may require rehabilitation, surgery, or both.
Back to top

Anatomy

Your skeleton is made up of bones of all sizes and shapes.  Some bones form joints that allow movement.  Muscles are strong bands of tissue that contract and relax to move bones.  Muscles are attached to bones by tendons, a fibrous tissue.  Some bones in the body are connected together by ligaments, strong tissues that provide stability and support. 
Back to top

Causes

Sprain
A sprain describes an injury to a ligament that connects two bones.  A ligament can stretch or tear if the bones in a joint move out of position from a force, such as a fall or direct contact with another person during sports.  For example, an ankle or wrist sprain can result from a fall.

Strain
A strain describes an injury to a muscle or tendon.  Muscles and tendons can be injured from overuse, overstretching, repetitive motions, sports injury, or a direct force, such as from being hit.  For example, back strain may occur in people who perform repetitive heavy lifting.
Back to top

Symptoms

Sprains
A sprain causes pain, bruising, and swelling.  You may hear or feel a pop when the injury occurs.  A severe sprain causes intense pain at the time of injury, followed by difficulty moving a joint.
 
Strains
A strain causes muscle pain, weakness, cramping, spasm, or swelling.  Moderate to severe sprains can result in muscle tearing.
Back to top

Diagnosis

A doctor can diagnose a sprain or strain by physical examination.  Your doctor will ask you to move your joint and test your muscle strength.  X-rays may be taken if a fracture is suspected. 
Back to top

Treatment

Immediately following your  injury, you should elevate your joint and apply cold packs to prevent swelling.  Your doctor will formulate a treatment plan based on the severity and degree of your injury.  Mild sprains and strains may benefit from physical or occupational therapy following injury.  More significant sprains and strains may require surgery or immobilization with a brace or splint for healing.
Back to top

Am I at Risk

You may be at risk for strains and strains if:
• Your body is deconditioned or overweight
• You participate in sports, dance, or other challenging physical activities
• Your job duties entail repetitive movements
• You have experienced a strain or sprain before
• You are at-risk for falls

Back to top

Complications

Sprains and strains may be prevented by exercising and eating wisely to keep your body fit and healthy.  You can help prevent sprains and strains by warming up and cooling down, respectively, before and after exercising.  Be sure to wear the proper shoes and safety equipment for the sports or job duties in which you participate.  Older adults should discuss fall-risk prevention with their doctors.
Back to top

Copyright ©  - iHealthSpot Interactive - www.iHealthSpot.com

This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment.

The iHealthSpot patient education library was written collaboratively by the iHealthSpot editorial team which includes Senior Medical Authors Dr. Mary Car-Blanchard, OTD/OTR/L and Valerie K. Clark, and the following editorial advisors: Steve Meadows, MD, Ernie F. Soto, DDS, Ronald J. Glatzer, MD, Jonathan Rosenberg, MD, Christopher M. Nolte, MD, David Applebaum, MD, Jonathan M. Tarrash, MD, and Paula Soto, RN/BSN. This content complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The library commenced development on September 1, 2005 with the latest update/addition on February 16, 2022. For information on iHealthSpot’s other services including medical website design, visit www.iHealthSpot.com.

Footer

Get Moving Again with Aquatic Therapy

Our pool therapy reduces pressure on joints to provide greater mobility and decrease pain, which increases flexibility for a faster recovery. If you have an injury or condition that makes weight-bearing exercise too painful or risky, then aquatic therapy is the ideal way to begin the rehabilitation process and get moving again. 

Physical Therapy Fast Track

We offer same-day appointments for acute orthopedic injuries that need immediate attention.

LEARN MORE 

Learn about your condition or injury in our patient education center.

VIEW OUR LIBRARY 

We offer same-day appointments for acute orthopedic injuries that need immediate attention.

LEARN MORE 

Learn about your condition or injury in our patient education center.

VIEW OUR LIBRARY 

Patient Reviews

Leave a Review for Boynton Beach

Leave a Review for Coconut Creek 

Leave a Review for Boynton Beach

Read Our Reviews

+ Request an Appointment

+ Refer a Patient

Location

Boynton Beach

 

Patient Resources

Patient Forms

Insurance & Payment

Patient Education

Areas of Expertise

Aquatic Therapy

Orthopedic Rehabilitation

Joint Conditions

Sports Injuries

Balance & Walking Programs

Workers' Compensation

Cervical & Lumbar Decompression

What Hurts?

Headache/Neck

Shoulder/Elbow/Wrist/Hand

Back/Hip

Knee/Ankle/Foot

About

Meet Our Therapists

Meet Our Staff

Facility Tour

Testimonials

Contact Us

Accessibility Statement

Privacy Policy

Sitemap

Copyright © Bolduc Physical, Aquatic Therapy and Sports Medicine. All rights reserved.

iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

Same Day Urgent Care at Physical Therapy Fast Track. Licensed Physical Therapists serving Palm Beach County, Broward County and surrounding ares of Wellington, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth, Lantana, Coral Springs, Parkland, Deerfield Beach and Pompano Beach.

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Meet Our Therapists
    • Meet Our Staff
    • Office Tour
    • Testimonials
    • Back
  • Location
    • Boynton Beach, FL
    • Back
  • Areas of Expertise
    • Aquatic Therapy
    • Orthopedic Rehabilitation
    • Joint Conditions
    • Sports Injuries
    • Balance & Walking Programs
    • Workers’ Compensation
    • Cervical & Lumbar Decompression
    • Back
  • What Hurts
    • Headache/Neck
      • Cervical or neck pain
      • Bulging discs
      • Herniated discs
      • Spinal stenosis
      • Degenerative disc disease
      • Whiplash
      • Facet syndrome
      • Pre- & Post-Spine Surgery
      • Arthritis
      • Muscle tension headaches
      • Vertigo
      • Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction
      • Back
    • Shoulder/Elbow/Wrist/Hand
    • Back/Hip
      • Low back or lumbar pain
      • Bulging discs
      • Herniated discs
      • Spinal stenosis
      • Degenerative disc disease
      • Sciatica
      • Facet syndrome
      • Slipped vertebrae – Spondylolisthesis
      • Vertebral compression fracture – Spondylolysis
      • Pre- & Post-Spine Surgery
      • Arthritis
      • Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
      • Sacral pain
      • Bursitis
      • Sprains and strains
      • Fractures
      • Back
    • Knee/Ankle/Foot
      • Knee ligament tear (ACL, PCL, MCL and LCL)
      • Meniscal (cartilage) tear
      • Patellofemoral (knee) joint syndrome (chondromalacia)
      • Shin splints
      • Iliotibial band syndrome
      • Arthritis
      • Tendonitis
      • Fractures
      • Ankle sprains and instability
      • Heel pain
      • Heel spurs
      • Plantar fasciitis
      • Achilles tendon problems
      • Neuromas
      • Stress fractures
      • Back
    • Back
  • Patient Resources
    • Insurance & Payment
    • Patient Education
    • Back
  • Contact
    • Location, Phone and Office Hours
    • Urgent Medical Needs
    • Insurance/Payment/Billing
    • Referrals
    • Back