Health Topics A-Z

What Are the Symptoms?

Sprains, which affect joints, and strains, also called muscle pulls, usually occur after a fall or sudden movement that pulls or twists a part of the body violently.

For a sprain:

• Pain in the affected joint.
• Rapid swelling of a joint, often accompanied by bruising.
• Stiffness and difficulty moving a joint.

For a strain:

• Sharp pain at the site of an injury, followed by stiffness, tenderness, and in some cases, swelling.

Call Your Doctor If:

• The pain, swelling, or stiffness does not improve in two to three days.
• You feel a popping sensation when you move a sprained joint; this may indicate a serious injury that requires immediate medical treatment.
• You can't move or bear weight on an injured joint. You may have a broken bone.
• The bones in an injured joint don't seem to be aligned properly. The ligaments that hold the joint together may be badly torn, requiring surgical repair.
• An injured muscle does not move at all; it may have torn completely through and may require immediate medical attention.
• You have repeated sprains or strains, indicating a chronic weakness that should be evaluated by a physician.
• You have difficulty moving or walking after straining any back muscle.
• You have a fever and the area is red and hot; this may be an infection.