“Sprained, strained, what’s the difference?”
Actually, there is a difference.
A sprain refers to an injury of a ligament or joint structure.
A strain is an injury to a muscle or the tendon connecting the muscle to the bone. It is possible to sprain a joint structure, without straining the muscles around it. But many times a sprain to a specific joint is accompanied by a strain of the surrounding muscles. This can complicate the recovery from an injury and, if not addresses in a treatment plan, can lead to repeated strain to the muscles and a cycle of weakness, reinjury, and pain.
Be informed. Make sure the treatment of your injury includes treatment of all the structures injured to ensure the fullest recovery and prevention of injuries in the future.