Sprains and strains are quite common injuries that can occur as a result of various causes: falls, unfortunate jumps, sports injuries, car accidents, etc. Many of us have encountered an unusual situation where you can't tell if you've gotten a serious sprain or just a sprain. What is the difference between the two conditions?
- Sprains are damage to the ligaments caused by overstretching them, resulting in a loose joint and limited movement.
- A sprain is a displacement of the joint surfaces of the bones, causing the joint to lose its normal form and function. Often accompanied by damage to ligaments and surrounding tissues.
The feet and ankles are most often subject to such damage. It is important to know that without timely examination and treatment there may be serious consequences - chronic pain, bone deformation, lameness, reduced mobility and other complications.
Illinois Foot & Ankle Clinic, led by Dr. Alex Yanovskiy, DPM, offers professional help in diagnosing and treating injuries and sprains, ensuring a safe and effective recovery.
Types of Sprains and Strains
Let's consider the features and characteristics of the most common injuries.
Ankle Sprains are one of the most common injuries in which the ligaments that provide stability to the joint are damaged, and the joint loses all or part of its mobility. Depending on the extent of the injury, sprains can range from mild, with minimal pain and swelling, to severe, with complete tearing of the ligaments and significant limitation of mobility.
Turf toe is an injury to the big toe that often occurs when the toe is bent upward abruptly, such as when running or stopping suddenly, making sudden changes in direction, or pushing hard off the pavement. This injury affects the ligaments and soft tissues around the joint of the big toe, causing pain, swelling and difficulty moving.
Syndesmotic Ankle Injuries are injuries to the ligaments that connect the tibia and fibula at the ankle joint. These injuries are more serious and require long-term treatment, as they can affect the stability of the entire ankle and lead to long-term mobility limitations.
Causes of Sprains and Strains
Foot and ankle sprains and strains are fairly common injuries resulting from a variety of factors, such as:
Sports injuries
Stretches and sprains often occur during sports, especially in sports that require sudden movements, jumping, or quick changes in direction. Soccer, basketball, and running are the most common causes of injuries such as ankle sprains and turf toe. If muscles and ligaments are not sufficiently trained, they are less resistant to stress.
Falls
A fairly common cause of sprains and strains. Walking on slippery, uneven or bumpy surfaces can lead to sudden movements that cause sprains or dislocations.
Excessive stress on joints
Repetitive movements or constant stress on joints - standing for long periods of time, walking in heels, or intense exercise - can weaken ligaments and increase the risk of injury. Syndesmotic ankle injuries and other similar injuries often occur precisely because of excessive stress on the joints.
To avoid complications and chronic pain, remember that even a minor sprain or dislocation requires attention and timely treatment.
Symptoms and Signs
Foot and ankle sprains and strains are often accompanied by similar symptoms, but there are also distinctive signs. Let's take a closer look.
Common symptoms of sprains and strains:
- Sharp, sharp pain, which can increase with movement or load on the leg
- The appearance of swelling in the area of the injury
- Restriction or inability to make movements in the ankle joint
- The appearance of a bruise at the site of injury due to damage to blood vessels
Signs of sprained ligaments:
- Moderate to severe pain, increased by strain on the damaged ligament
- Slight or significant swelling, depending on the degree of ligament damage
- A feeling of unsteadiness when walking
- Pain when pressing on the injured ligament
Signs of dislocation:
- Intolerable pain that prevents you from stepping on your foot
- Visually noticeable change in the shape of the joint
- Significant swelling of the ankle and foot
- Complete immobility of the joint
- A crunching or clicking sensation when trying to move the joint
Because the symptoms can be so similar, it’s difficult to accurately identify the nature of the injury on your own. Professional diagnostics are necessary. Make sure to consult a doctor.
Diagnostics: Understanding the Condition
At Illinois Foot & Ankle Clinic, we use the following methods to diagnose sprains and strains, determine the nature of the injury, and prescribe proper treatment:
Physical Examination
- Dr. Alex Yanovskiy, DPM, examines the injured area, asking questions about the mechanism of injury, intensity of pain and presence of associated symptoms. He checks the volume of movement, the presence of crepitation (crunching), and soreness on palpation and loading. All this helps to determine the extent of the injury and its localization.
X-ray
- X-rays are used to rule out fractures and assess the condition of the bones in the area of injury. It is an important first step in diagnosis, especially when serious injuries are suspected.
MRI
- Magnetic resonance imaging provides a detailed look at the condition of soft tissues, ligaments and tendons. This method helps to detect ligament tears and other hidden injuries that are not visible on X-rays.
The study results help determine the precise nature of the injury, allowing the doctor to choose the most appropriate treatment method.
Treatment Options for Sprains and Strains
The primary goal in treating foot and ankle injuries and sprains at Illinois Foot & Ankle Clinic is to reduce pain and swelling, restore joint function, and prevent re-injury.
The main treatment options may include:
Rest: The first step in treatment is to provide rest for the injured joint. Restricting movement helps reduce swelling and prevent further damage.
Compression: Using elastic bandages or compression bandages helps reduce swelling and keeps the joint stable. Compression helps improve circulation and speeds up the healing process.
Physical Therapy: Specially selected exercises aimed at strengthening muscles and ligaments help to restore mobility and strength to the injured joint, speed up rehabilitation and prevent re-injury.
Surgical intervention: For serious injuries such as ACL injury tears or high ankle injuries, surgical treatment may be necessary. Surgery can restore the integrity of the ligaments and stabilize the joint, which is especially important for regaining active mobility.
If you've experienced sprains or strains, reach out to Illinois Foot & Ankle Clinic. We're here to provide expert care and effective treatment to help keep your feet healthy and strong.