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How Can I Prevent Them?

The best way to prevent sprains or strains is to keep yourself in good physical shape so that your muscles, ligaments and tendons are strong and flexible enough to resist trauma. To prevent recurring injury, ask your doctor for exercises designed to rehabilitate the muscles in the injured area. You may benefit from a brace to protect the area while you are recovering from a recent injury. It is best to use this for only a short period, since your muscles can get used to the support from the brace and weaken over time. If you are overweight, ask about an appropriate diet and a general conditioning program.