
What Are Sprains and Strains?
Most of us hear about sprains and strains in relation to sporting or workplace mishaps, but what exactly are these injuries and what causes them?
Sprains occur when ligaments, tough tissues connecting your bones to one another, become stretched or torn. When your joints are forced to move in an unnatural direction, the ligaments become sprained, leading to swelling and pain. Ankles, knees, and wrists are some of the most commonly sprained parts of the body.
Strains, on the other hand, are caused by the stretching or tearing of a tendon, which joins bones to muscles, though it can also result from an overstretched muscle. Hamstring, calf, and groin injuries tend to be the most prevalent types of strains.