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Your child comes home from practice complaining of a sprained ankle. How do you know if it’s really a sprain or could it be a strain? And what should you do about it?
Many parents have been in a similar situation to this. All children are at risk of sprains and strains. They are common childhood (and adult) injuries. But what’s the difference between the two, and how do you know when to watch and wait versus when to call the doctor? Read helpful tips for managing sprains and strains.
What is a sprain vs. a strain?
A sprain occurs when the ligament is overstretched or torn. Ligaments connect bones to bones.
A strain occurs when a muscle or tendon is overstretched or torn. Tendons attach the muscle to the bone.
Both strains and sprains usually occur as a result of an acute injury – an injury that happens suddenly, such as being hit or pushed off really hard and fast.
How can you tell the difference between a sprain and a strain?
The short answer to this is that it can be really hard to tell if it’s a sprain or a sprain. Symptoms for each are similar and may include:
- Swelling
- Limited range of motion
- Pain
- Bruises
- A pop or click is heard at the time of injury
The difference with strains is that they can also cause muscle spasms in addition to any of the symptoms mentioned above.
Often, a doctor will diagnose a sprain and strain based on where the symptoms occur, such as in a joint versus a muscle.
When should I call the doctor?
If your child has an injury, I recommend resting and calling your doctor if:
- The pain is significant
- Your child limping or unable to use the injured body part
- Your child cannot perform their normal activities or cannot perform them well because of the pain
- There is swelling and bruising
I also recommend calling your child’s doctor if the injury happened some time ago and your child is still experiencing pain after 2-3 weeks.
If you’re not sure what to do, especially if it’s late at night and you’re wondering if a trip to the ER or urgent care is necessary, here’s what I say: If in doubt, check it out. If the pediatrician’s office has opening hours, calling the emergency number can help you decide on the next steps.
Even if the doctor tells your child to simply rest the injury, you’ll have peace of mind knowing what you’re dealing with and what to do about it.
Could it be a broken bone?
If you see an obvious deformity, such as an arm or leg, go to the emergency room as this is a sign of a possible broken bone.
Other signs that the injury may be a broken bone include:
- Significant tenderness along the bone
- Unable to move a limb or bear weight
- Numbness or tingling in the area of the injury
- Significant pain
If your child has these symptoms, call your pediatrician and let them guide your decision-making.
Treatment and healing
You’ve probably heard of the acronym RICE, which refers to the treatment of strains and sprains. This means rest, ice, compression and elevation. When your child is injured, follow these steps to reduce inflammation and swelling:
- Rest. Rest and protect the injured area.
- Ice. Apply ice or a cold pack to the injured area as soon as possible and for 15-20 minutes at a time.
- Compression. If possible, wrap the injured area with an elastic bandage.
- Height. Elevate or support the injured area above heart level while resting.
Your doctor may also suggest taking NSAIDs on a schedule to reduce swelling and inflammation.
If your child goes to the doctor for an injury, they can get a boot, brace or splint, depending on the location and severity of the injury.
After the injury has healed for some time, the doctor may suggest exercises and/or physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the joint to protect the area from another injury.
The healing time for both sprains and strains varies depending on the severity of the injury.
Quick guide
| Sprain | Strain | |
| What is it? | Ligament overstretching or tearing. Ligaments connect bones to bones. | Overstretching or tearing of a muscle or tendon. Tendons attach the muscle to the bone. |
| General symptoms | • Edema • Limited range of motion • Pain • Bruising • A pop or snap when injured |
• Edema • Limited range of motion • Pain • Bruising • A pop or click is heard at the time of injury • Muscle spasms |
| Where they usually occur | Ankles, knees, wrists, but can occur anywhere on the body | Neck, back, hamstrings (muscles at the back of the leg), but can occur anywhere on the body |
Bottom line
Because sprains and strains have such similar symptoms, it’s hard to tell which one you’re dealing with. And since untreated can cause more pain and/or increase recovery time, it’s best to get it checked out if you’re unsure.