Strains vs. Sprains: Understanding the Difference, Symptoms and Treatment

What is a Muscle Strain?^[2]

A muscle strain, also known as a pulled muscle, is an injury that occurs when a muscle or tendon — the fibrous tissues that connect muscles to bones — is stretched or torn. Strains can range from mild to severe and are often the result of overuse, improper use, or sudden, forceful movements.

What Happens in the Body During a Muscle Strain?^[3]

When a muscle strain occurs, the muscle or tendon fibers can become overstretched or torn. This can lead to inflammation, pain, and reduced function in the affected area. What does a pulled muscle feel like? That will depend on severity of the strain:

• Mild strain (Grade I): Only a few muscle or tendon fibers are damaged. There is minimal pain and swelling, and the muscle can still function.

• Moderate strain (Grade II): More muscle or tendon fibers are damaged, and there may be a partial tear. Pain and swelling are more significant, and the muscle's function is impaired.

• Severe strain (Grade III): A complete tear of the muscle or tendon. This results in severe pain, significant swelling, and the muscle is unable to function.

Common Locations and Healing Duration^[3]

Muscle strains can occur in various parts of the body, but they are most common in the:

• Back: Often due to lifting heavy objects or sudden movements.

• Neck: Typically from poor posture or sudden jerks.

• Hamstrings: Common in athletes who run or jump.

• Quadriceps: Frequent in activities that involve sudden stops and starts.

• Calf: Often from running or jumping.

How long does a pulled muscle last? The healing time for a muscle strain varies depending on its severity:

• Mild strain (Grade I): Usually heals within a few days to a week.

• Moderate strain (Grade II): May take 1 to 2 weeks to heal.

• Severe strain (Grade III): Can take several weeks to months to fully recover.

Symptoms of a Muscle Strain^[3,4]

Muscle strain symptoms can vary but typically include:

• Bruising: Visible discoloration due to broken blood vessels.

• Swelling: Inflammation around the injured area.

• Discomfort or pain: Ranging from mild to severe, often worsened by movement.

• Lack of flexibility or mobility: The affected muscle may feel stiff and difficult to move.

• Muscle spasms: Involuntary contractions of the muscle, which can be painful.

• Weakness: The muscle may feel weak or unable to bear weight.

• Tenderness: The area may be sensitive to touch.

• Cramping: Sudden, intense muscle contractions that can be painful.

When a muscle strain occurs, you might feel a sudden, sharp pain in the affected area, followed by a sensation of tightness or a "pulled" feeling. The area may become tender to the touch, and you might notice a decrease in your range of motion. In more severe cases, you might hear a popping sound at the moment of injury, indicating a significant tear.

What is a Sprain?^[3]

A sprain is an injury to a ligament, which are the strong, flexible bands of tissue that connect bones at a joint. Sprains can occur when a joint is twisted or forced beyond its normal range of motion, causing the ligament to stretch or tear. These injuries are common in sports and everyday activities, particularly those that involve sudden movements or falls.

What Happens in the Body During a Sprain?^[5]

When a sprain occurs, the ligament fibers are overstretched or torn, leading to inflammation and pain. The severity of a sprain is categorized into three grades:

• Mild sprain (Grade I): Only a few ligament fibers are damaged. There is minimal pain and swelling, and the joint can still function.

• Moderate sprain (Grade II): More ligament fibers are damaged, and there may be a partial tear. Pain and swelling are more significant, and the joint's function is impaired.

• Severe sprain (Grade III): A complete tear of the ligament. This results in severe pain, significant swelling, and the joint is unable to function.

Common Locations & Healing Duration^[5]

Sprains can occur in various joints, but they are most common in the:

• Ankle: Sprained ankles often from a sudden twist or roll of the foot.

• Wrist: Sprained wrists typically come from a fall onto an outstretched hand.

• Knee: A sprained knee is common in sports that involve sudden stops, turns, or jumps.

• Thumb: A sprained thumb is frequent in activities that require gripping or sudden movements.

The healing time for a sprain varies depending on its severity:

• Mild sprain (Grade I): Usually heals within a few days to a week.

• Moderate sprain (Grade II): May take 1 to 2 weeks to heal.

• Severe sprain (Grade III): Can take several weeks to months to fully recover.

Symptoms of a Sprain^[5]

Muscle sprain symptoms can vary but typically include:

• Pain: Often sharp and immediate, especially when the joint is moved.

• Swelling: Inflammation around the injured joint.

• Instability of the joint: The joint may feel loose or wobbly.

• Lack of flexibility or mobility: The joint may be difficult to move or may not move at all.

• Bruising: Visible discoloration due to broken blood vessels.

• Tenderness: The area may be sensitive to touch.

• Cramping: Sudden, intense muscle contractions that can be painful.

• Popping sound: In severe cases, a popping sound may be heard at the moment of injury, indicating a significant tear.

When a sprain occurs, you might feel a sudden, sharp pain in the affected joint, followed by a sensation of instability or a "giving way" feeling. The area may become swollen and tender to the touch, and you might notice a decrease in your range of motion. In more severe cases, the joint may be completely immobilized, and you might experience significant bruising and muscle spasms around the injured area.

Understanding the difference between a muscle strain and sprain is can be helpful for proper diagnosis and treatment. While both injuries involve the stretching or tearing of soft tissues, they affect different parts of the body and have distinct characteristics. Here are key differences:

1. Affected tissues

Strain: Also often called a pulled muscle. A strain affects muscles or tendons.

Sprain: A sprain affects ligaments, the bands of tissue that connect bones at a joint.

2. Cause of injury

Strain: Strains typically occur due to overuse, improper use, or sudden, forceful movements. Common activities that can cause strains include lifting heavy objects, running, jumping, or any activity that puts excessive stress on a muscle.

Sprain: Sprains usually result from a joint being twisted or forced beyond its normal range of motion. Common causes include falls, sudden turns, or impacts that force the joint into an abnormal position.

3. Common locations

Strain: Common locations for strains include the back, neck, hamstrings, quadriceps, and calf muscles.

Sprain: Common locations for sprains include the ankle, wrist, knee, and thumb joints.

4. Symptoms

Strain:

• Pain: Often a dull ache or sharp pain, especially when the muscle is used.

• Swelling: Inflammation around the injured muscle.

• Bruising: Visible discoloration due to broken blood vessels.

• Muscle spasms: Involuntary contractions of the muscle.

• Weakness: The muscle may feel weak or unable to bear weight.

• Lack of flexibility or mobility: The affected muscle may feel stiff and difficult to move.

Sprain:

• Pain: Often sharp and immediate, especially when the joint is moved.

• Swelling: Inflammation around the injured joint.

• Instability of the joint: The joint may feel loose or wobbly.

• Bruising: Visible discoloration due to broken blood vessels.

• Tenderness: The area may be sensitive to touch.

• Lack of flexibility or mobility: The joint may be difficult to move or may not move at all.

• Popping sound: In severe cases, a popping sound may be heard at the moment of injury, indicating a significant tear.

5. What it feels like

Strain: When a strain occurs, you might feel a sudden, sharp pain in the affected muscle, followed by a sensation of tightness or a "pulled" feeling. The muscle may become tender to the touch, and you might notice a decrease in your range of motion. In more severe cases, you might hear a popping sound at the moment of injury, indicating a significant tear.

Sprain: When a sprain occurs, you might feel a sudden, sharp pain in the affected joint, followed by a sensation of instability or a "giving way" feeling. The area may become swollen and tender to the touch, and you might notice a decrease in your range of motion. In more severe cases, the joint may be completely immobilized, and you might experience significant bruising and muscle spasms around the injured area.

RICE is a mnemonic that stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. It is a widely recommended first-aid treatment for both strains and sprains, helping to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation in the early stages of injury.^[6] Here’s how to apply RICE for 1 to 2 days after an injury:

Rest: Try to limit your activity on the injured area to allow it to recover. Avoid putting weight on the injured limb or using the affected muscle excessively.

Ice: Use a covered ice pack for no more than 20 minutes at a time, 4 to 8 times a day. This helps reduce pain and swelling. Be sure to wrap the ice pack in a thin towel to avoid frostbite.

Compress: Whether wondering how to wrap an ankle, thumb, or any other body part after a sprain, you’ll want to use elastic wraps, air casts, or splints to apply gentle pressure to your injury. This can help reduce swelling and provide support. Make sure the wrap is not too tight, as it can cut off circulation.

Elevate: Keep the injured area raised above your heart using a soft support like a pillow. This helps reduce swelling and can make you more comfortable.

Additional Treatment and Relief Tips

Braces, splints, and crutches:

• Braces and splints: These can provide additional support and stability to the injured area, especially for sprains. They help prevent further injury and can be particularly useful for ankle and wrist sprains.

• Crutches: Typically recommended as a sprained ankle treatment or for any severe strain or sprain in your leg or foot, crutches can help you avoid putting weight on the injured area, allowing it to heal more effectively.

Heat therapy: After the initial 48 to 72 hours, you can use a heating pad to help relax the muscles and increase blood flow to the injured area. Apply heat for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day. This can be especially helpful for strains.

Stretching and physical therapy: Once the pain and swelling have reduced, gentle stretching and physical therapy can help restore flexibility and strength. Start with mild exercises and gradually increase the intensity. Always consult your doctor or a physical therapist before beginning any new exercise regimen.

Hydration and nutrition: Stay hydrated and eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals to support the healing process.

How to Wrap a Strained or Sprained Injury

Ankle

Materials: Use an elastic bandage or wrap.

Technique:

• Start by wrapping the bandage around the ball of your foot.

• Cross the bandage over the top of your foot and wrap it around the ankle.

• Continue wrapping in a figure-eight pattern, ensuring the wrap covers the entire ankle and part of the foot.

• Secure the wrap with tape or a clip.

Duration: How long should you wrap a sprained ankle depends on the severity, but a good rule of thumb is to keep the wrap on for 24 to 48 hours. Remove it for short periods to check for circulation and to perform gentle exercises. Again, talk to your healthcare professional for any specific medical advice.

Wrist

Materials: Use an elastic bandage or wrap.

Technique:

• Start by wrapping the bandage around the hand, just below the fingers.

• Cross the bandage over the back of the hand and wrap it around the wrist.

• Continue wrapping in a figure-eight pattern, ensuring the wrap covers the entire wrist and part of the hand.

• Secure the wrap with tape or a clip.

Duration: Keep the wrap on for 24 to 48 hours but remove it for short periods to check for circulation and to perform gentle exercises. Again, talk to your healthcare professional for any specific medical advice.

Finger

Materials: Use a small elastic bandage or wrap.

Technique:

• Start by wrapping the bandage around the base of the finger.

• Cross the bandage over the finger and wrap it around the next joint.

• Continue wrapping in a figure-eight pattern, ensuring the wrap covers the entire finger.

• Secure the wrap with tape or a clip.

Duration: Keep the wrap on for 24 to 48 hours but remove it for short periods to check for circulation and to perform gentle exercises. Again, talk to your healthcare professional for any specific medical advice.

Knee

Materials: Use an elastic bandage or wrap.

Technique:

• Start by wrapping the bandage around the thigh, just above the knee.

• Cross the bandage over the knee and wrap it around the lower leg, just below the knee.

• Continue wrapping in a figure-eight pattern, ensuring the wrap covers the entire knee and part of the thigh and lower leg.

• Secure the wrap with tape or a clip.

Duration: Keep the wrap on for 24 to 48 hours but remove it for short periods to check for circulation and to perform gentle exercises. Again, talk to your healthcare professional for any specific medical advice.

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While the pain of many muscle strains and sprains can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers like TYLENOL® and at-home care, there are certain situations where it’s important to seek medical attention.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should consider seeing a doctor as soon as possible:

• Severe pain: If the pain is so intense that it prevents you from performing basic activities or if it doesn’t improve with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE method), it’s a good idea to consult a doctor.

• Swelling and bruising: Significant swelling or bruising that worsens over time or doesn’t respond to home treatment can indicate a more serious injury.

• Limited mobility: If you have difficulty moving the affected area or if it feels unstable, you should see a doctor to rule out more severe injuries like ligament tears or fractures.

• Pain lasting more than a week: If your pain persists for more than a week despite using pain relievers and following home care guidelines, it’s time to seek professional help.

• Numbness or tingling: Any numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation in the affected area can be a sign of nerve damage and should be evaluated by a doctor.

• Hearing a pop or crack: If you heard a pop or crack at the time of the injury, it could indicate a more serious issue, such as a torn ligament or tendon.

When you visit a doctor for a muscle strain or sprain, they will typically follow a series of steps to diagnose and treat your injury. These may include a physical examination to assess the range of motion, strength, and stability of the affected area.

They might also order imaging tests like X-rays or MRI scans to get a better look at the injury and rule out fractures or more severe soft tissue damage. Depending on the severity, your doctor may recommend rest, physical therapy, or in some cases, more advanced treatments such as corticosteroid injections or surgery. Early intervention can help prevent complications and promote faster healing.