What is the difference between Sprain and Strain?

A sprain can be defined as a process whereby the ligaments of a particular part of the body are overstretched and even tear at times, thereby resulting in an injury. A twisted ankle is one of the most prominent sprains that people experience. On the other hand, the strain is an injury that takes place when the fibers of a muscle are stretched or stressed beyond normal and thereby getting torn.

Strain usually occurs in the muscles and tendons. Parts of the seeming signs and symptoms of a sprain injury are soreness and swelling; the limb refuses to function normally, puffiness, the elasticity of the ligaments reduces, experiencing a restricted pain on a particular area of the body, uncomfortable movements and functioning of that particular part. Parts of the symptoms and signs of a strain injury, on the other hand, are discoloration of the part, severe pain, stiffness, and bruising, bizarre odor on the particular strained muscle.

Both sprain and strain are problems of the joint, and they usually result in pain around the joints. You might probably think they are just normal words which do not have meaningful interpretations. This explains why you need medical explanation about the terms. A sprain is caused when the ligaments that attach a bone to another get overstretched. This usually occurs when force is applied on a joint accidentally, that it causes the ligaments joining the two bones to be dislodged from their normal positions.

For example, you can experience a sprain in the ankle, that is the joint between the lower leg and the foot, in which the ligaments in the area are dislodged due to accidental application of pressure in that area. A strain, on the other hand, is caused when there is an injury in the joints that cause a tendon in the area to be overstretched. Tendons are inelastic tissues that connect muscles with the bones. Athletics usually suffer from the two conditions.