Sprain or Strain? How to Tell the Difference — and When to See a Doctor

Ankle rolls, awkward landings, and overextended muscles can happen to anyone. In fact, sprains and strains are two of the most common musculoskeletal injuries — and you’re even more likely to experience these types of accidents if you play sports.

But not all injuries are created equal, and while sprains and strains share some similar symptoms, they affect different tissues and require different treatment approaches. At Full Orthopedics Urgent Care in North Miami Beach, Florida, we treat a wide range of orthopedic injuries with personalized care designed to get you moving safely and confidently.

So, if you’ve hurt your ankle, knee, or another joint, here’s how to tell the difference between a sprain and a strain and when to see a doctor.

Understanding sprains vs. strains

Sprains and strains are often lumped together because they both involve soft tissues near or around a joint. However, sprains affect ligaments while strains affect muscles or tendons.

Ligaments are the tough bands of tissue that connect bones at a joint, and a sprain happens when one or more ligaments are overstretched or torn. Some possible causes of a sprain include:

• Rolling your ankle on uneven ground while walking or hiking
• Landing awkwardly during a jump
• Cutting sharply on the field in sports like soccer or basketball

Strains happen when muscles or tendons (which are fibrous tissues attaching muscle to bone) get overstretched or torn. Possible causes of a strain include:

• Lifting a heavy object with improper form
• Overstretching or pushing too hard during a workout
• Sudden muscle contraction during sprinting or jumping

While athletes and active individuals are particularly prone to these injuries, they can happen in everyday situations and to anyone at any age. Understanding the distinction between sprains and strains can help you better assess your injury and choose the right care.

How to spot the difference between sprains and strains

Sprains and strains share several overlapping symptoms. It’s not always easy to determine what type of injury you have without a professional evaluation, but subtle differences can help you tell the difference.

Sprain symptoms

Sprains are most common in the ankle and knee, but they can occur in any joint. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and bruising around the joint, as well as a feeling of instability or difficulty bearing weight. You might also experience a limited range of motion due to joint pain.

Strain symptoms

Strains are most common in back muscles, hamstrings, and calf muscles. The pain from a strain is often felt in the muscle belly or at the muscle–tendon junction. 

You may experience swelling along your muscle rather than your joint, along with muscle weakness or spasms. Pain can increase with muscle use, but you may still be able to bear weight on the affected area.

If the pain centers around a joint and you have trouble stabilizing it, think sprain. If the discomfort lies deeper in the muscle tissue and worsens with specific movements, it’s likely a strain.

When to see a doctor for a sprain or a strain

Mild sprains and strains often respond well to conservative care such as the RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) method and over-the-counter pain relievers. However, you should consider going to urgent care if you have:

• Severe pain that limits the use of your limb
• Inability to bear weight on your affected joint or muscle
• Significant swelling, numbness, or tingling
• A visible deformity or abnormal angle in the injured area
• Pain that doesn’t improve after several days of at-home care
• Recurrent injuries or concerns related to sports participation

In some cases, what feels like a sprain or strain may actually be a more serious injury, such as a fracture, cartilage damage, or significant soft-tissue tear. On-site X-rays and clinical evaluations are needed to clarify your diagnosis.

We have comprehensive diagnostic services and experienced orthopedic providers to evaluate your injury and develop the best treatment plan, from bracing and physical therapy to therapeutic injections and referrals for surgical consultation.

Our goal is to help you recover safely, reduce your risk of reinjury, and return to the activities you love with confidence. So, if you’re unsure what type of injury you’re dealing with, or if pain is limiting your daily life or athletic performance, Full Orthopedics Urgent Care is here to help. 

Schedule an evaluation today and get the personalized care you need to get back in motion. We’re open seven days a week, so call us to schedule an appointment, check in online to get started, or just walk in.