Sprains and strains are very common in athletes. At CTPO, we can effectively manage both simple and complex conditions. ​

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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SPRAIN AND A STRAIN?​

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A sprain generally involves an injury to a ligament, which connects one bone to another bone. A strain generally involves a muscle or tendon. 

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WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SPRAINS AND STRAINS?

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Some common signs and symptoms of strains and sprains includes pain that occurs at a specific site of the body, usually one where the athlete can point to it with one finger.

 

The athlete may report that one particular action during sport caused the pain to begin (e.g. “I kicked a soccer ball and felt a sharp pain to the back of my thigh” or “I twisted my ankle when landing”). 

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WHAT CAUSES SPRAINS AND STRAINS?

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These injuries can be caused by quick, sudden movements (e.g., hamstring strain) or by small injuries over a period.

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HOW ARE SPRAINS AND STRAINS DIAGNOSED?​

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Sprains and strains are not diagnosed with an X-ray but rather by talking with the athlete, clinical examination, and potentially an MRI in severe cases. 
 

 

HOW ARE SPRAINS AND STRAINS TREATED?​

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A child’s shin may hurt for a variety of reasons, but the most common reason for shin pain at CTPO is from an overuse injury. This may happen when the athlete participates in too many sports at one time or the athlete specializes in one sport that occurs year round.

 

There may be other factors at play (e.g. the athlete started a sport too quickly without appropriate off-season training) as well.