The Difference Between Ankle Sprains vs. Strains and When to Seek Care
Ankle injuries are among the most common in the U.S. because of how much many of us are on our feet. Even if you don't spend much time up and about, it sometimes doesn't require a major event to cause significant damage to a complex joint like your ankle.
Some of the most common maladies to impact the ankle are sprains and strains, though you probably didn't know there is a difference between the two.
Sprains vs. Strains
A strain and a sprain are similar but each is characterized by what part of the ankle is impacted.
If you experience a strain, it means that the muscles and tendons in your ankle have been overstretched and even pulled in the wrong direction. Tendons are made of fibrous tissue that runs in heavy bands throughout your joints and works to connect your muscles to your bones.
A sprain also involved overstretching, but it impacts your ligaments in the same way. While tendons connect muscle and bone, ligaments connect bones together. Sprains are most common in the ankle and are often described as "turning" or "twisting" your ankle.
Both injuries cause similar symptoms, including:
- Pain
- Swelling around the joint
- Limited range of motion
One way to tell the difference without a diagnosis from your orthopedic specialist is to see if there is any bruising. Sprains will often cause bruising while strains, because they impact the muscle, will often cause spasms instead.
Causes of Ankle Sprains and Strains
Ankle sprains and strains generally occur from falling and twisting or rolling your ankle while doing exercise or playing a sport. Sometimes these injuries can also occur from slips during everyday activities.
Steps you can take to prevent these injuries are simple and you've likely heard them before, but they are all important to not only prevent sprains and strains but ensuring you can remain active now and into the future.
Some important prevention tips include:
- Work on balance through proprioception exercises either at home or with your physical therapist. Proprioception is our own sense of our body's position and movement, and balancing exercises including Tai Chi or yoga can help improve your proprioception. You can ask your physiotherapist or your primary care doctor to teach you more exercises.
- Regular exercise helps keep your body limber and flexible. This means that moderate exercise 5 days a week is much better than extreme activity two days a week.
- Stretching and warming up are important tools to ensure your muscles and joints are prepared for any activity. Following exercise, a cool down and additional stretching can help your recovery and prevent injuries later on.
- Be mindful of the conditions around you, especially if your activity is outside or around dangerous equipment. Whether it's rainy, icy or crowded at the gym, always stay careful and make sure you are wearing proper shoes with good tread.
Treating Sprains and Strains
Most strains and sprains can be treated at home with rest, ice, elevation and compression. Rest gives the injury time to heal while ice, elevation and compression will help reduce swelling and inflammation.
However, if you experience a severe strain or sprain, you may need surgery. Especially after a few days of rest, you should consult your doctor if you experience any of the following:
- Extreme difficulty walking or even standing without pain
- Inability to move the sprained or strained ankle
- A feeling of numbness or tingling around the impacted ankle
These could be signs that your ligaments, muscles or tendons are torn and need to be repaired by an orthopedic surgeon.
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