First Aid & Emergencies

Understanding Sprains and Strains -- Symptoms

What Are the Symptoms of Sprains and Strains?

Sprains affect your joints. Strains affect your muscles. Both usually occur after a fall or sudden movement that violently pulls or twists a part of your body. Chronic overuse of muscles or joints can also cause strains and sprains.

Symptoms of a sprain:

• Pain in the affected joint
• Rapid swelling of a joint, often accompanied by bruising
• Stiffness and difficulty moving a joint 
• Increase in skin temperature near the swelling, and redness of the skin

Symptoms of astrain:

• Sharp pain at the site of an injury
• Inability to fully bear weight on one's knee or ankle
• Limited range of motion of the shoulder, elbow, or wrist

Call Your Doctor About a Strain or Sprain If:

• The pain, swelling, or stiffness does not improve in two to three days
• You feel a popping sensation when you move a sprained joint; this may indicate a serious injury that requires immediate medical treatment.
• You can't move or bear weight on an injured joint; you may have a broken bone.
• The bones in an injured joint don't seem to be aligned properly; the ligaments that hold the joint together may be badly torn, requiring surgical repair.
• An injured muscle doesn't move at all; the muscle may be torn completely through and require immediate medical attention.
• You have repeated sprains or strains, indicating a chronic weakness that should be evaluated by a doctor
• You have difficulty moving or walking after straining any back muscle
• You have a fever, and the injured area is red and hot; you may have an infection.