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Sprains and Strains
Overview:
Sprains and strains are common injuries of the ligaments and muscles that usually occur after an accident.
Signs and Symptoms:
Sprains are the tearing of ligaments, the tissues that connect bones to one another at the joint. They are characterised by pain, swelling and difficulty moving the joint, and most commonly affect ankles, wrists and thumbs.
Causes and Organs Affected:
The most common form of sports injury is sudden excessive tension on a tendon, producing a strain or sprain. Common causes of sprains and strains are:
* Any accident or occurrence that stresses the joints or muscles beyond their normal tolerance
* A new sport or activity
* Falls
* Lifting heavy objects
* Being overweight
* Repeated muscle contraction, can result in injury.
Risk Factor:
Factors contributing to sprains and strains include: Poor conditioning, Poor technique, Fatigue, Improper warm-up.
Treatment:
Always stretch and warm up before exercising or lifting heavy or bulky objects.
Other Information:
Be sure your injury is completely healed before returning to your full activity levels, particularly if you play contact sport. The pain and inflammation of sprains and strains are your body's way of letting you know that it has not fully healed yet.