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Orthopedics and Traumatology

Differences between Sprains, Strains, and Fractures

Sprains, Strains, and Fractures are injuries that happen to our musculoskeletal system. They could be caused by falls, accidents, sports injuries, or even just for moving wrongly.

Differences between Sprains, Strains, and Fractures

Sprains, Strains, and Fractures are injuries to our musculoskeletal system. They could be caused by falls, accidents, sports injuries, or even moving wrongly.



Strains

A strain is the torsion or stretching of a ligament. It can be severe (caused by traumatic stretching) or chronic (caused by repetitive movement). Bumps, falls, or sudden movements can cause a sprain.


Symptoms

  • Pain

  • Muscle weakness

  • Bruising

  • Cramping



Sprains

A sprain is a ligament tear connecting two bones with your joints. Initial treatment could include rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Most Sprains could be treated at home, but severe Sprains could require Surgery to repair ripped ligaments.


Symptoms

  • Moderate to Severe Pain

  • Bruising

  • Limited movement

  • Muscle spasms and weakness

  • Cramping

  • Difficulty with walking



Fractures

An excess of effort on the bone generates the fracture. The most common fractures in sports are:

  • Fall fractures

  • Stress fractures (occur in a bone due to repetitively exaggerated muscle activity)


Symptoms

  • Pain 

  • Swelling 

  • Bruising 

  • Painful motion

  • Deformity


If you suspect you may have a Fracture, you should go to Emergencies. Some Fractures could cause damage to your muscles, tendons, arteries, and veins. 



Risk factors

  • Inappropriate equipment

  • Fatigue

  • Environmental conditions, slippery or uneven areas

  • Falls

  • Accident

  • Age: as the person ages, the bones become weaker

  • Not using the appropriate equipment in case of practicing any sport

  • Do not exercise

  • Overweight



Diagnosis

The Orthopedist or Traumatologist will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history.

We group some of the possible tests they could perform to detect the severity of the injury:



Treatment

  • RICE “rest, ice, compression, elevation”

  • Prescriptions

  • Physical therapy

  • In a few cases, surgery



Prevention

It is not possible to predict an injury, but you can try to avoid it:

  • Maintain a good weight.

  • Build muscle strength.

  • Do daily stretching workouts.

  • Choose the right shoes and proper equipment for particular activities and sports.

  • Eat a healthy and complete diet that includes Calcium and vitamin D.

  • Warm up before any sports activity and cool down after your activities.



¿When do you have to see a doctor?

If you suffered a severe blow in an injury with severe pain that prevents normal movement of some of your limbs, the ideal is to go to the emergency room. You can go directly to the BlueNetHospitals Emergency Room in Los Cabos or call an ambulance at 624 1043 911.


If presenting any of the symptoms mentioned above with injuries and pain that do not improve, it is best to go to an Orthopedist or Traumatologist.


When consulting your Orthopedist or Traumatologist, record your pain with a detailed description of the symptoms, duration, and what you think triggered them. Also, mention any medications you are taking.



BlueNetHospitals - Hospital Los Cabos 

BlueNet Hospitals