Sprains & Strains Flashcards
Sprains and strains are two types of MSDs, or musculoskeletal disorders
DEFINITION
MSD’s are injuries or disorders of the:
1. muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage, and supporting structures of the upper and lower limbs, neck and lower back that are
- caused, precipitated, or exacerbated by sudden exertion or prolonged exposure to physical factors (e.g. force, repetition, vibration or awkward
Causes of Sprains and Strain?
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They are caused by 1. excessive 2. reaching, 3. bending, 4. lifting, 5. gripping, 6. squatting, or 7. twisting of hands, shoulders or body
Caused by any work performed 8. with high force, 9. with many repetitions, 10. or in an awkward position
- What is a sprain?
- One or more ligaments
may be injured at the same
time
Most common: ?
1. A sprain is a stretch or tear of a ligament (band of fibrous tissue that connects two or more bones at a joint); stretched too far from normal position
- sprained ankle
- What is a strain?
- Descrbe its range of injury?
- Most common?
- A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon (thick,
tough fibrous cord of tissue that connects a muscle
to a bone) - Can be as simple as overstretching a muscle or
tendon, or it can be a partial or
complete tear - Most common: strained back
Types of Sprains and Strains
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- Back injuries, including pulled back muscles and
ruptured discs - Compressed nerves causing severe pain, such as
carpal tunnel in wrist or sciatic leg pain from back - Ligament sprains in the upper body
- Shoulder muscle sprains and dislocations
- Abdominal hernias
- Tendon injuries to the hands, forearms and elbows
(tennis elbow) - Ankle sprains and strains
Three most common areas for sprains?
- most common site: the ankle
- frequently occur at the wrist
- sprain to the thumb common in skiing and other sports
SPRAINS: stretch and/or tear of a ligament caused by what?
a sudden pull
Ankle Sprains
- Inversion injury sprains what?
- Eversion injury sprains what?
- Lateral lig
2. Medial lig
Describe sprains grade I-III?
I- Ligaments strecthed or slightly torn
II- Ligaments partially torn
III- Ligaments completely torn
Severity of Ankle Sprains
Describe functional loss and instability for the following grades of sprains:
- Grade I?
- Grade II?
- Grade III?
- Minimum
None - Moderate
Moderate - Maximum
Marked
What is a strain? 2
- injury to either a muscle or a tendon as a result of suddenlly pulling them too far
- May be a simple overstretch of muscle or tendon,or a result of a partial or complete tear
(tendinitis example)
Where Do Strains Usually Occur:
- Two common sites?
- Also in? 3
- two common sites:
- the back and
- the hamstring muscle - hand and
- forearm,
- elbow
How Do They Occur?
6
- Carrying, holding, or restraining items, people or
animals - Lifting, pushing, holding or pulling loads
- Working in a fixed position with the back bent,
sitting or standing continuously, or driving vehicles
for long periods - Repetitive tasks such as reaching to lift or lower
objects, or to grip tools continuously - Working in awkward positions involving bending or
twisting your body to reach items - Vibrations through the body like driving a truck or
using a powered hand tool
What are the Signs & Signals:
- Sprain?
- Strain?
For a sprain: Pain, swelling,
bruising, not being able to move the joint
For a strain: Pain, muscle
spasms, muscle weakness,
swelling, cramping, trouble
moving the muscle
Treatments for Sprains & Strains
First stage?
1. to reduce swelling and pain RICE therapy (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate) for the first 24 to 48 hours
Ice the injured area, 20 minutes at a time, four to eight times a day
Treatments for Sprains & Strains
1. Health care provider may recommend a what to help decrease pain and
inflammation?
- If moderate sprain, may require use of mobility aids, such as?
- If severe sprain, may need what? 2
- anti-inflammatory
drug such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or
acetaminophen (Tylenol) - a cane, crutches, a walker or wheelchair
- surgery to repair torn ligaments, muscle or tendon
- Short course of narcotic analgesic may be necessary if grade III sprain with severe pain
Ankle Sprains….when to xray?
Ottawa rules
4
- Ankle X-ray is only required if there is any pain in the malleolar zone and any one of the following:
- Bone tenderness along the distal 6 cm of the posterior edge of the tibia or tip of the medial malleolus, OR
- Bone tenderness along the distal 6 cm of the posterior edge of the fibula or tip of the lateral malleolus, OR
- An inability to bear weight both immediately and in the emergency department for four steps.
Treatments for Sprains & Strains
Second stage: Rehabilitation
What does this involve?
4
- Physical therapy/exercise program: designed to help reduce swelling, prevent stiffness and restore normal, pain-free range of motion (during first week after injury)
- Increase strength and flexibility (about second week after injury); usually more demanding exercises to improve function
- Advanced stretching?
- Return to full daily activities, including
sports if appropriate; must work closely
with physical therapist to avoid re-injury
Time needed for full recovery:
- Mild sprain/strain?
- Moderate sprain/strain?
- Severe sprain/strain?
- three to six weeks
- two to three
months - eight to 12 months
Although we cannot prevent all sprains and
strains from occurring, there are some tips on how
to avoid them?
4
- Stretch before you workout with heavy items
- Use proper footwear for the activity you are doing
- Warm up adequately
before activities - Do not run on icy/uneven
surface
