Ankle Strain vs Sprain: All You Need to Know

You're just one of many who have struggled to distinguish between sprains and strains when trying to define them. When soft tissues in and around your joints are overstretched or torn, these two phrases are sometimes used interchangeably. Knowing the essential distinction might help you distinguish between ankle strain vs sprain.

What is a Sprained Ankle & Strained Ankle?

Ankle sprain definition: An ankle is sprained when the bands that hold your ankle bones together (ligaments) get stretched or torn, usually from a sudden ankle twist or any ankle injuries. It can make your ankle swell and hurt.

Ankle strain definition: An ankle strain is when the muscles or tendons around your ankle get stretched or torn. This happens when you push your muscles too hard or overstretch them, causing pain and sometimes swelling.

Ankle strain vs sprain:

A sprain is an injury to a ligament, a band of tissue connecting bones at a joint. A strained ankle is an injury to a muscle or tendon, a fibrous cord of tissue that connects muscle to bone. An ankle sprain typically happens when the ligaments supporting the ankle are stretched or ruptured. This can happen when the ankle is twisted or turned too far in an awkward direction. A person with an ankle sprain may experience symptoms such as pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty bearing weight on the affected ankle.

When the muscles or tendons in the ankle are strained or damaged, it results in an ankle strain. This can happen when the ankle is overworked or subjected to sudden, forceful movement. Symptoms of an ankle strain may include pain, swelling, muscle spasms, and difficulty moving the affected ankle. Both Ankle Strain vs Sprain can be treated with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). More severe ankle sprain injuries may require physical therapy or other treatments. See a healthcare provider if you suspect you have a sprain or strain, as more serious ankle injuries may require specialized treatment.

Ankle Strain vs Sprain Symptoms

The overstretching or ripping of ligaments results in a joint sprain. The tissue bands known as ligaments hold two bones together in a joint. The most frequent location for a sprain is the ankle joint. The overstretching or tearing of muscles or tendons results in joint strain. Tendons are the strong tissue strands that attach bones to muscles. The hamstring muscle and the lower back are the most typical sites formuscle strain. Both a sprain and a strain have comparable signs and symptoms. That is because the injuries are very similar. It makes sense that people regularly mix up these two illnesses. Check below to see what the most common ankle sprain symptoms are,

Common symptoms of a sprained ankle

1. Reduced flexibility

2. Pain around the affected joint

3. Swelling

4. Bruising

5. Pain when using the joint's full range of motion

Common symptoms of strains include

1. Muscle spasm

2. Joint discomfort

3. Swelling; stiffness

4. Difficulties moving the joint fully

5. Muscle spasm around the affected joint

The primary distinction is that while a strain may cause muscle spasms, a sprain may result in bruising around the damaged joint.

Causes and Risk Factors of Ankle Strain and Sprain

Ankle strain or sprain, are different types of injuries but they both are ankle injuries. Here are the most common causes of ankle strain and sprain.

Causes of Ankle Strain

• Engaging in repetitive activities such as running, jogging or jumping without giving proper rest to your legs can lead to strain in ankle muscles and tendons.

• Quick and sudden movement or twist of the ankle may lead to the strain in muscles and tendons.

• Improper pose of exercise can put strain on ankle muscles and lead to ankle strain.

• Direct involvement in exercises without proper warmup can increase the risk of ankle strain.

• Insufficient strength in ankle muscles or tendons can make them more susceptible to ankle strains.

• Walking or running on uneven surfaces, such as rocky terrain, can increase the risk of missteps and ankle sprains.

• Wearing improper footwear during walking or physical activities can lead to ankle sprains.

• Participating in sports or physical activities that involve jumping and sudden stops can increase the likelihood of an ankle sprain.

Risk Factors of Ankle Sprain and Strain

• Those who have a history of ankle sprain or strain are more likely to get recurrent ankle injuries.

• Certain abnormal alignment of foot and ankle may also increase the risk of ankle sprain or strain.

• Older people with decreased bone density are at the highest risk of getting ankle sprain or strain in minimal physical activities.

• According to the study of national library of medicine, females are more prone to get ankle sprain or strain and are needed to strengthen their muscles or bone density.

• Being overweight or carrying too much weight can make it more likely for someone to hurt their ankle while walking, running, or playing sports. This is because the extra weight puts extra stress on the ankle, increasing the chances of injuring it.

• Certain sports such as basketball, soccer etc pose a higher risk of ankle sprain or strain.

How is Ankle Sprain or Strain Diagnosed?

To diagnose the ankle sprain or strain, a doctor will ask about the cause of injury and physically examine the ankle. They may also use X-rays, MRI or other tests to see the bones and ligaments more clearly.

Treatment for ankle sprain & strain

The same method is used to treat minor sprains and strains. The name of this method is RICE. RICE translates as:

Rest

Avoid using or staying off the injured joint while it recovers. The joint will have time to recover as a result.

Ice

Ice reduces inflammation and swelling. Never put ice on your skin directly. Instead, enclose a bag of ice in a small towel or article of clothing. Remove the ice for 20 minutes, then leave it on the affected region for another 20. Repeat as frequently as you can for the first 24 to 48 hours.

Compression

This will aid in reducing the edema. Wrap a bandage or piece of trainer's tape around the injured joint. However, avoid wrapping too tightly to avoid reducing the blood supply.

Elevation

Make an effort to maintain your affected joint above your heart level. This will aid in minimizing any swelling. If your knee or ankle is hurt, you might have to spend the first two days after the incident in bed or on the couch. Parallel to the ground is also OK if you cannot keep it as high as your heart.

RICE may help you feel more comfortable and lessen indications and symptoms for the first 24 to 48 hours following your accident.

• Surgery may be necessary for serious strains and sprains to restore torn or damaged muscles, tendons, or ligaments. Consult a doctor about your sprain or strain if you feel any of the following:

• inability to bend or move the affected joint

• numbness or tingling around the joint

• trouble walking or standing without pain

Care for Sprained Ankle, Strained Ankle Injury

There are various treatment and self care measures for ankle sprain and strain. Most cases of ankle sprain and strain do not require medical or surgical intervention.

1. Over the counter medicines: You can take over the counter medicines to manage the pain, swelling and inflammation of the ankle.

2. Braces: Your doctor may recommend the braces or splint to support the injured ankle.

3. Rehabilitation exercises: Once the ankle sprain and strain start healing, specific exercises can help restore strength, flexibility, and stability to the ankle.

4. Supportive footwear: Wear supportive footwear to stabilize the ankle during the healing process.

5. Gentle exercises: During the healing process of ankle strain or sprain, start doing gentle motion or stretching exercise to restore flexibility and ankle strength.

6. Warm compression: Try applying warm compression to promote blood circulation and relax the muscles. Soaking your ankle in warm water can also be beneficial.

Conclusion:

Most people can resume some limited activity in two to three days after moderate ankle strain vs sprain. You might need a week if the injury is moderate. Take special care to safeguard the joint even when you feel active again. Try to tape the joint or support it with a brace until the tissue has recovered. Serious ankle sprain and strains may take much longer to heal. Physical treatment may also be necessary to help you regain strength and range of motion. This will be especially true if surgery is necessary to treat your ankle sprain vs strain injury. So take care of sprained ankle and ankle strain.

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