Symptoms of sprains and strains may include:
Sprains and strains are graded according to their severity. A grade I injury indicates minor tearing of the tissue. Medium-grade pain and swelling may be present, but the movement, strength and function are not affected.
In grade II injuries, tissue damage is more extensive, swelling and pain are more significant, and the strength and function of the affected body part are reduced.
Grade III injuries are more severe again, and may require surgery to repair the tearing to the connective tissue fibres.
Depending on the severity of the injury, whether it is managed appropriately, and the age and general health of the patient, recovery from a sprain or strain may take from 2-12 weeks.
Sprains are joint injuries that involve damage to ligaments or a joint capsule, and commonly occur at the wrist, ankle or thumb.
Strains are injuries to muscles, or to the tendons that connect muscles to bones. They often affect the calf, hamstring or groin.
These injuries occur if the fibres of a muscle, ligament or tendon are stretched beyond their capacity, becoming torn. They are often due to a sudden twisting or stretching movement, or may be due to a forceful impact.
Overuse of a particular joint or muscle group can also cause sprains and strains. Factors that may contribute to overuse injuries include insufficient recovery time between exercise sessions, poor technique (for example using an incorrect golf swing), repetitive motions (e.g. doing assembly line work), and physical abnormalities.
Joints that have been injured before may be more prone to recurrent problems, especially if scar tissue has developed during the repair of the prior injury or if muscle imbalance is present.