Sprain

• What is a sprain?

  • Stretch and/or tear of a ligament (connects bone to bone)
  • Happens when abnormal or excessive force applied to joint
• Typically affects:

  • Ankles - lateral ankle sprain very common following inversion injury
  • Knees
  • Wrists
  • Thumbs
• Symptoms:

  • Pain around affected joint
  • Tenderness
  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Pain on weight bearing
  • Decreased function
• Classified by severity:

  • Grade I - mild stretching without joint instability
  • Grade II - partial rupture without joint instability
  • Grade III - complete rupture with instability of the joint
• Mild sprains take around 2 weeks to heal.

  More severe sprains can take up to 12 weeks for ligament to heal
• Acute issues:

  • Hemarthrosis - painful tender joint swelling immediately after injury - articular bleeding
  • Compartment syndrome
• Chronic issues:

  •Instability, loss of function, chronic pain and swelling (particularly following severe sprains)

  •Muscle atrophy, muscle fibrosis

  •Complex regional pain syndrome