Sprains and strains are the “oops” injuries of daily life—whether you’re playing sports, hauling groceries, or just took a wrong step. But what’s the difference?
Strains
A strain is when muscle fibers get overstretched or torn—think of it like fraying a rope. It can happen when your muscle is asked to work harder than it’s ready for, whether in one big effort or from repeated overuse. Strains come in three grades:
- Grade I (Mild): Slight fiber damage, mild swelling or tenderness, a bit sore to use or stretch.
- Grade II (Moderate): More damage, moderate to severe pain, bruising, and difficulty using the muscle.
- Grade III (Severe): A complete tear—very painful, major swelling, loss of strength, and sometimes surgery is needed.
Sprains
A sprain is when ligaments—the bands that hold your joints together—get overstretched or torn. Like strains, they’re graded from mild to severe:
- Grade I: Minimal fiber damage, mild swelling, slight loss of function.
- Grade II: Partial tear with pain, swelling, bruising, and trouble using the joint.
- Grade III: Complete tear, severe pain, swelling, and loss of function—often requires medical or surgical care.
Tendinitis & Bursitis
- Tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendons (which connect muscle to bone), often from repetitive motions, overuse, or poor posture. Common in shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles.
- Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa (small fluid-filled sacs that cushion joints), often in shoulders, elbows, hips, or knees. Both cause pain, swelling, and reduced mobility.
How Physical Therapy Helps
No matter which of these injuries you’re facing, early treatment is key. At Ortho Advantage, we:
- Create a personalized exercise program to build strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
- Use manual therapy to ease stiffness and promote healing.
- Apply modalities like heat, ice, ultrasound, laser, or electrical stimulation for pain relief.
- Provide education to prevent re-injury and keep you moving safely.
If you’ve got pain, swelling, or limited movement in a joint or muscle, don’t wait for it to “just get better.” The sooner you start treatment, the faster you can get back to doing the things you love—without fear of re-injury.
Call us at (937) 434-4141 (Centerville) or (937) 709-3008 (Eaton), and let’s get started on your recovery.
