When in doubt, get it checked out.
Your child comes home from a practice complaining of an ankle sprain. How do you know if it’s truly a sprain or if it could be a strain? And what should you do about it?
Many parents have been in a similar situation to this one. All kids are at risk of getting sprains and strains. They’re common injuries of childhood (and adulthood). 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 on for helpful tips on how to manage strains and sprains.
What Is a Sprain vs. a Strain?
A sprain occurs when a ligament is overstretched or torn. Ligaments connect bones to bones.
A strain occurs when a muscle or tendon is overstretched or torn. Tendons attach a muscle to a bone.
Both strains and sprains commonly occur as the result of an acute injury — one that happens suddenly, such as upon getting tackled or pushing 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 you’re dealing with a strain or a sprain. Symptoms of each are similar and can include:
- Swelling
- Limited range of motion
- Pain
- Bruising
- Hearing a pop or a snap at the time of injury
A difference with strains is that they might also cause muscle spasms, in addition to any of the above symptoms.
Often a doctor will diagnose a sprain versus a strain based on where the symptoms show up, such as in the joint versus along the muscle.
When Should I Call the Doctor?
If your child has had an injury, I recommend having them rest and calling your doctor if:
- Pain is significant
- Your child is limping or can’t use the injured part of their body
- Your child can’t perform their normal activities or can’t perform them well because of pain
- There is swelling and bruising
I also recommend calling your child’s doctor if the injury happened a while back and your child is still experiencing pain after 2-3 weeks.
If you are unsure of what to do, especially if it’s late at night and you’re wondering if a trip to the emergency room or urgent care is needed, I go by this saying: When in doubt, get it checked out. If it’s after hours for your pediatrician’s office, calling the on-call line can help you determine your next steps.
Even if the doctor tells your child to simply rest the injury, you will 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 in the arm or leg, go to the emergency room as this is a sign of a possible broken bone.
Other signs that the injury could be a broken bone include:
- Significant point of tenderness along a 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 likely heard of the acronym RICE regarding treatment for strains and sprains. This stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. When your child has an injury, follow these steps to reduce inflammation and swelling:
- Rest. Rest and protect the injured area.
- Ice. Put ice or a cold pack on the injured area as soon as possible and for 15-20 minutes at a time.
- Compression. Wrap the injured area, if possible, with an elastic bandage.
- Elevation. Elevate, or prop up, the injured area higher than the level of the heart while resting.
Your doctor may also suggest taking anti-inflammatory medication on a schedule to help reduce swelling and inflammation.
If your child sees a doctor for their injury, they may receive a boot, brace or splint, depending on the location of the injury and how severe it is.
After the injury has had some time to heal, the doctor may suggest exercises and/or physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the joint to help protect the area from getting re-injured.
Healing time for both sprains and strains will vary based on how severe the injury is.
Quick Reference Guide
| Sprain | Strain | |
| What is it? | Overstretching or tearing of a ligament. Ligaments connect bones to bones. | Overstretching or tearing of a muscle or tendon. Tendons attach a muscle to a bone. |
| Common symptoms | • Swelling • Limited range of motion • Pain • Bruising • Hearing a pop or a snap at time of injury | • Swelling • Limited range of motion • Pain • Bruising • Hearing a pop or a snap at time of injury • Muscle spasms |
| Where they commonly occur | Ankles, knees, wrists, but can occur anywhere in the body | Neck, back, hamstring (the muscles at the back of the leg), but can occur anywhere in the body |
The Bottom Line
Because sprains and strains have such similar symptoms, it’s hard to tell what you’re dealing with. And because going untreated can lead to more pain and/or longer recovery time, it’s best to get it checked out if you’re in doubt.
