Sprains and Strains

What is a sprain?

A sprain is a wrenching or twisting injury or tear to a ligament. Sprains often affect the ankles, knees, or wrists.

What is a strain?

A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon, and is often caused by overuse, force, or stretching.

What are the symptoms of a sprain or strain?

The following are the most common symptoms of a sprain or strain. However, each child may
experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

• pain in the injured area (The child typically may guard or protect this area from being touched or looked at.)
• swelling in the injured area
• difficulty using or moving the injured area in a normal manner (The child may have limited use or may not use the injured area at all. The child may walk with a limp if the injury occurred in the hip, leg, ankle, or foot area.)
• warmth, bruising, or redness in the injured area

The symptoms of a sprain or strain may resemble other conditions. Always consult your child’s physician for a diagnosis.

Treatment for sprains or strains:

Specific treatment for a sprain or strain will be determined by your child’s physician based on:

• your child’s age, overall health, and medical history
• extent of the injury
• child’s tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
• expectations for the course of the injury
• your opinion or preference