Sprain

• Sprain: traumatic injury to a joint with either partial or complete tearing of ligaments. 
• Etiology: sports activities are the most common cause.
• Symptoms: alternating degrees of pain, swelling, heat and redness that varies between purple to dark blue due to blood vessel hemorrhage.
•  Diagnosis: physical examination, sometimes x-rays if a fracture is suspected. Occasionally an MRI and arthroscopy. 
• Treatment: depends on severity. Mild ones are treated by RICE. 
• RICE: acronym for rest, ice, compression, and elevation; the activities to manage soft tissue trauma like those associated with sports injuries. 
• Prevention: regular exercise, stretching and strengthening to maintain good physical condition.