Printer FriendlyMuscle Sprains
As an active teen (especially someone who plays sports or exercises on a regular basis), you might sprain a muscle. Muscle sprains are pretty common injuries, but it's important to get the proper treatment so you can get back in the game. It's also good to know what you can do to help prevent sprains before they happen.
What is a muscle sprain?
A muscle sprain is a stretching or tearing of ligaments and can either be mild or severe. Ligaments are the tissue that connects two or more bones at a joint, such as in your knees, shoulders, or ankles. Ligaments are strong, but they can also stretch out; you can think of them almost like rubber bands. When they get overstretched, a mild sprain occurs, and if they get torn, a severe sprain occurs.
What causes a muscle sprain?
A muscle sprain is caused by an injury such as a fall, or a sudden twist of a part of your body. They can happen while playing sports; sliding into base and landing the wrong way, twisting an ankle while you're playing ice hockey, or even swinging a tennis racquet too hard.
What are the signs and symptoms?
The signs and symptoms of a muscle sprain can vary depending on how severe the injury is.
The most common symptoms include:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Trouble moving the joint
- Hearing or feeling a "pop" in the joint
How do I know if I should see my health care provider (HCP)?
If you've sprained a part of your body, you're going to be in some pain. It might be hard to tell the difference between a sprain and a broken bone, so it's a good idea to see your HCP and get checked out.
It's especially important to see your HCP if you have any of the following symptoms:
- You have severe pain and you can't put any weight on the injured area
- You can't move the injured area at all
- The part you've injured looks crooked, has lumps and bumps (that look different than normal swelling), or you see redness or red streaks spreading out from the area
- Any part of the area you've injured feels numb
It's also important to see your HCP if you've injured a part of you body that has been hurt more than once before.
What will my HCP do?
When you go to your HCP, he or she will check out the area you've injured to determine the right treatment. Your HCP will check for swelling and tenderness by looking at and gently touching the area. He or she might also move your joints and and limbs into different positions to help figure out exactly where the injury is, and may order an X-ray to determine if you have a broken bone.
How is a muscle sprain treated?
Your HCP may recommend that you take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help reduce your pain. He or she will probably also tell you to follow the RICE formula.
RICE is:
- Rest: Avoid any activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort.
- Ice: Apply an ice pack to the injured area for 20 minutes at a time, 4-8 times per day. It's important that you remember not to use ice for more than 20 minutes at a time, as this can cause frostbite.
- Compression: Use compression to prevent swelling. Depending on the area you've injured, this may mean using an elastic bandage, an air cast, or a splint. If you use an elastic bandage, make sure not to wrap it too tight.
- Elevation: Raise the injured area so that it's higher than your heart. This also helps prevent swelling. You can use pillows to help prop up an arm or a leg while you're lying down.
Always make sure to follow any addition instructions your HCP has given you.
How long will a muscle sprain take to heal?
The amount of time a sprain takes to heal depends on how severe it is. Healing times may range from a few weeks to a few months. Be sure to take it easy while you're healing to avoid re-injuring yourself.
Do I need to do anything before I go back to an activity?
Yes. Before returning to play, check with your HCP to see if you need physical therapy. Also determine what rehabilitation exercises you can do to lessen the chance of re-injuring yourself and making sure your wrist, ankle (or whichever body part you sprained) is strong again.
Can muscle sprains be prevented?
Yes, there are things you can do to lower your risk of spraining a muscle.
Things you can do to prevent a muscle sprain include:
- Eating a healthy diet to keep your muscles strong, and stay at a healthy weight
- Doing stretching exercises, especially before playing sports or lifting weights
- Wearing athletic shoes that fit you properly, and replacing them when they're worn out
- Wearing protective equipment when playing sports
Don't exercise or play sports if you're tired, sick, or in pain. Getting in the game when you're hurting isn't worth injuring (or re-injuring) yourself.
Updated: 6/30/2011
