Sprains, Strains & Minor Pains: Diagnosis & Treatment

When you injure a wrist, ankle, knee or other joint, you need to know what the injury is before you can treat it. Sprains occur when you tear or over-stretch a ligament, while a strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon. Other sources of pain include muscle soreness or spasms, arthritis, and bruising.

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Sprain, Strain or Just a Pain?

You twisted your ankle, and now it’s beginning to swell. What do you do next? Treat it at home, or get help? And should you use ice or heat? Use our assessment to find out what kind of injury you have and what to do.

Check your symptoms

First Steps for Treatment

Recovering from an Injury

How to Warm Up and Cool Down

Follow these tips to get the most from your workout and avoid injury.

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Sprains and Strains Q&As

National Athletic Trainers' Association	Q	What is the difference between a neck sprain and strain?
National Athletic Trainers' Association	A	A sprain is an injury to a neck ligament. A strain is . . . Read More

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Sprains, Strains, Minor Pains

Sprain, Strain or Just a Pain?

First Steps for Treatment

Recovering from an Injury

How to Warm Up and Cool Down

In Pain? Start an AskMD Consultation

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Sprains and Strains Q&As

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