The Difference Between a Strain and a Sprain

What is the difference between a strain and a sprain?

A strain and a sprain are two types of injuries involving two different structures and I’m here to help you understand the differences between these two types of injuries.

What is a sprain:

• A sprain is an injury to the ligament. A ligament is a band of fibrous tissue that connects bone to bone and forms what we call a joint. The role of a ligament is to provide stability and support to the joint.
• Sprains commonly occur in the ankle (by roll your ankle) or in your knee (by planting your foot and twisting/pivoting or having a force applied to your knee).

What is a strain:

• A strain is an injury to the muscle/tendon.  A muscle attaches to its tendon which then attaches to the bone, contraction of a muscle produces movement of the joint. A stress to a muscle can cause a tear to the muscle fibers or at the muscle tendon junction.
• Strains can occur during running, jumping, kicking, throwing and commonly occur in the hamstrings, quadriceps, and calf.

Related Posts on Injury & Rehab

• Tips to Foam Rolling for Training & Running

• Injury Rates & Gender Differences in Runners

• Common Running Injuries & Sports Physio

• Understanding Iliotibial Band Syndrome

• 9 Common Running Injuries that Physiotherapy can Address

If you have any questions regarding your sports related injury, we invite you to come in for an appointment at our Sports Physiotherapy Clinic in Burnaby BC. Please contact us at 604-558-CARE (2273) or get in touch with us online!
Feel free to drop by and meet the sports therapy team at Absolute PhysioCare & Sports Rehab!