Sprain is among the most common of injuries to occur during sports activities and daily routines. This injury most commonly involves the ankle, but the knee and wrist joints are also susceptible. Sprains are the result of a stretched or torn ligament, causing pain and impaired mobility. (A ligament is the connective tissue that binds two or more bones at a joint.) This often occurs when a joint deviates from its normal range of motion because of a sudden force, such as a fall, a sudden twist, or a blow to the body.

Symptoms and grades:

The severity of injury depends on the number of ligaments involved, and whether the tear is partial or complete. Sprains are categorized in three grades:

• GRADE 1 (mild): usually only slight symptoms.
• GRADE 2 (moderate): there will be bruising, pain, and swelling; an x-ray or MRI may be necessary to diagnose; the ligament is not fully torn, but the person will have difficulty putting weight on the joint.
• GRADE 3 (severe): symptoms are severe, as the ligament is totally ruptured or torn; there is loss of ability to use the joint.

What is the difference between sprain and strain?

The most common types of sprains:

• ANKLE. Ankle sprain happens to 25,000 individuals in the U.S. every day, and occurs if the foot is planted awkwardly, the ground is uneven, or when an unusual force is applied to the joint.
• KNEE. Knee sprain is the second most common type of sprain, and usually results from a blow to the knee, a fall, or a sudden twist. Susceptible ligaments include the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), and medial cruciate ligament (MCL).
• WRIST. Wrist sprains most commonly occur when a person falls, and puts his or her hands out in front of the body to break the fall. The wrist maybe be bent backwards, resulting in a sprain.

Sprains can easily be prevented through the practice of simple habits and preparedness: