A wrist sprain is an injury to the ligaments of thewrist region, including the ligaments

connecting the carpal bones and the ligaments connecting the proximal row of carpal bones
with the radius and the ulna. By injury we mean that the ligaments are partially or completely
torn.
This occurs when the wrist is bent or twisted forcefully, such as caused by a fall onto an
outstretched hand. Wrist sprains are common injuries. They can range from mildto severe,
depending on how much damage there is to the ligaments. Ligaments support the wrist by
linking the bones that make up the joint.
A finger sprain is the stretching or tearing of ligaments that support the small joints of
the finger. Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that connect bones to each other or to
cartilege.

Symptoms of a Sprained Finger:

 Pain over the joint in the finger where the damage has occurred.
 Pain when bending the finger and stressing the injured ligament.
 Possible swelling over the joint.
 Restricted mobility and movement of the finger.

A sprained ankle is an injury that occurs when you roll, twist or turn your ankle in an awkward
way. This can stretch or tear the tough bands of tissue (ligaments) that help hold
your ankle bones together. Ligaments help stabilize joints, preventing excessive movement.

You may have a sprained ankle if you notice the following symptoms in the ankle:
1. swelling.
2. tenderness.
3. bruising.
4. pain.
5. inability to put weight on the affected ankle.
6. skin discoloration.
7. stiffness.

A sprain is a stretching or tearing of ligaments — the tough bands of fibrous tissue that connect
two bones together in your joints. The most common location for asprain is in your ankle. A
strain is a stretching or tearing of muscle or tendon. A tendon is a fibrous cord of tissue that
connects muscles to bones

Overview
If you’ve ever tried to define sprains and strains but can’t quite identify the
difference between the two, you’re not alone. These two terms are often used
interchangeably to describe overstretching or tearing of soft tissues in and
around your joints. There is a key difference, and knowing what that is can
help you differentiate between joint sprains and strains.

Symptoms
A joint sprain is the overstretching or tearing of ligaments. Ligaments are the
bands of tissue that connect two bones together in a joint. The most common
location for a sprain is the ankle joint.

A joint strain is the overstretching or tearing of muscles or tendons. Tendons

are the dense fibrous cords of tissue that connect bones to muscles. The most
common locations for a muscle strain are the hamstring muscle and the lower
back.

The symptoms of a sprain and a strain are very similar. That’s because the
injuries themselves are very similar. It’s no wonder the two conditions are
frequently confused.

Common symptoms of sprains Common symptoms of strains

• bruising • muscle spasm

• pain around the affected joint • pain around the affected joint
• swelling • swelling
• limited flexibility • limited flexibility
• difficulty using the joint’s full range of • difficulty using the joint’s full range of
motion motion

The main difference is that with a sprain you may have bruising around the
affected joint, whereas with a strain, you may have spasms in the affected
muscle.
Causes
Our bodies work hard day after day, so an occasional strain or sprain isn’t uncommon.
Certain situations make you more likely to injure your joints. These include:

 athletic activities or exercise, including running or jogging

 accidents, such as falling or slipping
 lifting heavy objects
 overexerting yourself
 sitting or standing in an awkward position
 prolonged repetitive motion

Most commonly affected joints include: