It is common for sportsmen and women to get sprains and strains. The two have almost similar symptoms. Sprains can cause stretching of ligaments, which can result in pain. When this happens, it is advisable to visit Alamo City Urgent Care for more medical assistance. In some cases, strains and sprains can be treated at home or by a first aider depending on the amount of damage to the joint. Sprains mainly occur in the ankle, as that’s where the most impact is when you walk or run.
Sprains will cause damage to tissues that connect the bones. On the other hand, strains will cause damage to muscles or tissue attached to the bone muscles. The following are symptoms of sprains;
- Joint movement is limited
- Bruising
- Pain
- Swelling
- Hearing a pop when the injury occurs
When Should You Visit a Doctor?
If the joint’s pain becomes persistent, it is advisable to seek medical care from qualified doctors who provide urgent care in Marbach. Numbness in the injured area can also push you to see a doctor. Having a direct pain over the area of the injured bones should not be taken lightly. It is a good practice to let the doctor handle any sprains. The doctor can analyze the wounded area and advise on the best medication procedure for healing. The following are some situations under which sprains occur;
- Playing of racquet sports
When playing sports such as tennis, overextension or a skiing injury can happen. The thumb is affected most with this form of sports.
- Athletics
Pivoting can cause sprains to the knee. For this reason, it is essential to ensure you maintain a balance with your feet when running or when taking part in athletics.
- Falling
Falling and landing on an outstretched hand may lead to a sprain on your wrist.
Various factors may contribute to the formation of sprains, and they include the following;
- Fatigue
Tired muscles are unable to support the joints firmly. Meaning, you are likely to have sprains when your muscles are fatigued. It is advisable to avoid excising when your muscles are tired.
- Poor training equipment
It is wise to avoid training in poor gear. Unmaintained shoes increase the risk of getting sprains as the balance on the feet is reduced.
- Environmental conditions
Different environmental conditions are responsible for most cases of sprains. Running on slippery surfaces may lead to sprains. This is because the risk of getting injuries is increased.
Strains
The signs and symptoms of strains include the following,
- Stiffness
- Soreness
- Weakness
- Bruising
Causes of Strains in Muscles
When muscles tear unexpectedly or suddenly, it is referred to as acute strain in the muscle. These strains are caused by the following,
- Having poor flexibility
- Fatigue and overexertion
- Not doing a proper warm routine before starting on your work out.
It is important to note that strains do not occur only when you do high-intensity workouts. Strains can occur even from small physical movements such as walking. The following are instances when strains can occur,
- When throwing an object
- When jumping
- When running
- When you try lifting heavy objects
- When you slip and lose footing and balance
Cold weather can lead to an increased occurrence of strains because muscles tend to become stiff under low temperatures. If you want to excise in such weather conditions, make sure you do warm-ups to reduce muscle stiffening.
Repetitive movements may lead to chronic strains. This form of strain can be caused by engaging in sports such as tennis, golf, or rowing. Having a good posture can help prevent chronic strains when playing such games.
Prevention of Strains
Experts who provide urgent care in San Antonio recommend the following ways of preventing the occurrence of strains in the muscles:
Lift objects with more care
Strains can occur when you lift objects without taking care of your muscles. Avoid twisting and lifting at the same time.
Have good posture when sitting or standing
You can try alternating positions of your foot or back when sitting. Avoid spending a lot of time in one pose when sitting. Alternation, when sitting helps, reduce stress in muscles. Remember to keep your knees in level with the hips or use a pillow to offer support when sitting. This will help reduce the chances of strains.
