Skip to main content
Accessibility help
Home

Main Menu

  • Find
    • Doctors
    • Locations
    • Services
  • Do
    • Log in to MyLVHN
    • Pay a Bill
  • Explore
    • Give
Questions? Call 888-402-LVHN (5846) Contact Us

Careers

  • All Careers
  • Nursing Careers
  • Physician and APC Careers

Make an Appointment

  • Current Doctor
  • New doctor
  • First available
  • Video visit

COVID-19

  • Vaccines
  • Testing
  • News
  • View the Help Center

Patient Information

  • Patient & Visitor Information
  • Medical Records
  • Accepted Insurances
  • Financial Services
  • Children's Hospital
  • Institutes
  • Health Tips, Patient Stories & News
  • Events, Classes & Groups
  • Clinical Trials
  • About LVHN

For Providers

  • Refer a Patient
  • Careers
  • Research & Clinical Trials
  • Education
  • Children's Hospital
  • Institutes
  • About LVHN

Common Searches

  • Careers
  • Children's Hospital
  • Pay a Bill
  • Medical Records

Make an Appointment

Which would you like to do?

Make an appointment with your current doctor.
Make an appointment with a new doctor.
Find the first available appointment from our providers.
Schedule a Video Visit.
×

Are you currently a patient of ?

Yes I am currently a patient of
No I am not currently a patient of

Sprains and Strains

Sprains and strains are actually different injuries. Sprains affect ligaments, while strains affect muscles and tendons, Whether you have sustained a sprain or a strain, you should seek care from the health team at Lehigh Valley Health Network.

  • More Information
  • More

    • Home
    • Doctors
    • Services
  • Home
  • Doctors
  • Services

Page Hierarchy

  1. Conditions
  2. Sprains and Strains

Sprains and strains can feel very similar. Often, the only way to find out which one you have is to see a doctor.

Sprains

Sprains occur when a ligament, the tough band of tissue connecting two bones, is stretched or torn. Sprains are caused by a trauma – such as a fall, twist or blow – that knocks a joint out of position and overstretches or ruptures the supporting ligaments. 

In a mild sprain, a ligament is stretched, but there is no joint loosening or instability. A moderate sprain is when the ligament is partially torn, producing joint instability and some swelling. In a severe sprain, ligaments tear completely or separate from the bone, interfering with joint function.

Sprains happen most often in the ankle. In fact, sprains and strains account for more than one-third of lower leg injuries treated in U.S. emergency rooms. If ligaments don’t heal correctly, the result can be chronic ankle instability and recurring sprains. Repeated sprains can lead to ankle arthritis, a loose ankle or a tendon injury.

Wrist sprains can be as difficult as fractures to treat. Like fractures, if a serious wrist sprain or ligament tear is not treated properly, it can affect how your wrist functions and cause long-term problems.

Strains

Strains are a twist, pull and/or tear of a muscle and/or tendon. Tendons are cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones.

Acute strains result when a muscle or tendon is overstretched or pulled. Chronic strains result from overuse of muscles and tendons through prolonged, repetitive movement. Inadequate rest during intense training can cause a strain.

In a mild strain, the muscle or tendon is stretched or pulled slightly. A moderate strain, in which the muscle or tendon is overstretched and slightly torn, will cause some muscle function to be lost. In severe strains, the muscle or tendon is partially or completely ruptured, significantly limiting movement.

Strains often occur during sports. Athletes who engage in excessive jumping, such as while playing basketball or volleyball, are vulnerable to back strains. Kicking a football, running or leaping to make a basket can cause a hamstring muscle strain. A strain of the hamstring, a major muscle in the back of the thigh, can sideline you for up to six months.

Treatment

Treatment of both strains and sprains include:

  • RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation), started immediately after the injury
  • Rehabilitation or physical therapy, including stretching and strengthening
  • Medications, such as ibuprofen
  • Activity restrictions
  • Use of a splint, cast, crutches or wheelchair
     

Don’t Let a Sports Injury Slow You Down

Our team of sports medicine doctors, physical therapists and trainers work together to deliver personalized care that helps athletes meet personal and competitive goals. Take the first step and start your healing journey today.

Request an appointment

Free Sports Injury Assessment

Whether you’re a professional athlete, weekend warrior, a high school or college athlete, or just a regular guy who hurt himself working in the yard, Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) sports medicine experts can help when an injury has sidelined you from your active lifestyle.

Take a free sports injury assessment.

Sprains, Strains & Other Pains

PRICE of healing
Realizing no high school sports player wants to be sidelined, “our model at Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) is ‘return to play without delay,’” says Richard Canlas, MD, board-certified sports medicine physician with LVPG Orthopedics in Hazleton.
Read full story

Customer Service

Call 888-402-LVHN (5846)
Contact Us
Mon - Fri:
7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday:
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday:
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Support

  • For Referring Physicians
  • For Health Professionals
  • For Employers
  • Website Feedback
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

About LVHN

  • About Us
  • Give
  • Careers
  • Volunteer
  • Health Tips, News & Stories
  • Events
  • Shop

Social

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

©2023 Lehigh Valley Health Network