Sprains

Sprains occur as a result of a traumatic over-stressing of a joint. When a ligament is pulled too far, too fast, or too hard, there’s a chance that it stretches or tears. The severity of damage can run a very wide gamut; a tiny tear that heals on its own in a few days and a severe tear that detaches your ligament from the bone and requires surgery to repair both constitute sprains, though the latter is often just referred to as a torn ligament, such as with a torn ACL. Sprains can occur in daily life, sports and other physical activities, or as a result of an occupational hazard. Common sources of sprains include ankle sprains from losing balance on stairs or after a jump, wrist sprains from catching yourself after a fall, or knee sprains from improper pivots.

Minor sprains can be treated at home in most cases, with little more than first aid. Keep weight and strain off the sprained joint and you should recover with time. More severe sprains, however, can lead to long term loss of function if not treated professionally. The worst sprains involve significant stretching or tearing of tendons in a way which cannot heal on its own, and thus requires surgery. Knowing how severe your sprain is can be difficult, and for this reason you generally want to see a doctor—just to be sure. Signs of more serious injury mean you should see a doctor much sooner; these signs include numbness in the affected area, a complete inability to support any weight on the affected joint, and serious pain—especially if the pain seems more associated with the bones of your joint than the ligaments.