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Sprains and Strains

Lee A Mancini, CSCS*D, CAQSM, CSN, MD, Alec L Tributino, DO and Grant Pierre, CAQSM, M.D, Reviewed 05/2023
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Sprains are complete or partial ligamentous injuries either within the body of the ligament or at the site of attachment to bone.

    • Classified as grade 1, 2, or 3 (AMA Ligament Injury C...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Obtain thorough description of mechanism of injury including activity, trauma, baseline conditioning, and prior musculoskeletal injuries.

  • May describe feeling or hearing pop or snap

PHYSICAL EXAM

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Acute: protection, relative rest (activity modification), ice, compression, elevation, medications, modalities (PRICEMM) therapy

  • Ankle sprains: should consist of functional su...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

If the affected joint has full strength and ROM, the patient can advance activity as tolerated using pain as a guide for return to activity. 

Patient Monitoring

Aft...

REFERENCES

1
Petersen  W, Rembitzki  IV, Koppenburg  AG, et al. Treatment of acute ankle ligament injuries: a systematic review. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg.  2013;133(8):1129–...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Hamilton  BH, Best  TM. Platelet-enriched plasma and muscle strain injuries: challenges imposed by the burden of proof. Clin J Sport Med.  2011;21(1)...

SEE ALSO

Tendinopathy 

CODES

ICD10

  • S93.6 Sprain of foot

  • S93.4 Sprain of ankle

  • S93.5 Sprain of toe

  • S73.1 Sprain of hip

  • S53.4 Sprain of elbow

  • S63.698 Other sprain of other finger

  • S63.90xS Sprain of unspecified part of unspecified wr...

CLINICAL PEARLS

For acute injury, remember PRICEMM: 
  • Protection of the joint

  • Relative rest (activity modification)

  • Apply ice.

  • Apply compression.

  • Elevate joint.

  • Medications/ice for pain

  • Other modalities as ne...

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