That twist, that pull, that lingering pain.
Sprains and strains are among the most common musculoskeletal injuries, whether from a misstep on the field, a fall at home, or a sudden overexertion at work. They sound minor, and often are — but a bad sprain or strain that isn't properly evaluated and managed has a way of becoming a recurring problem. Getting it right the first time matters.
Your doctor may call this a ligament sprain or muscle or tendon strain, graded I through III based on the degree of tearing.
Often seen within a few days — sometimes as soon as tomorrowRequest your first visit
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A NASPAC team member from a NASPAC office near you will reach out to confirm your visit and answer any questions.
What sprains & strains really is.
A sprain is an injury to a ligament — the tissue that connects bone to bone and stabilizes your joints. The ankle and knee are the most frequently sprained joints. A strain is an injury to a muscle or the tendon that anchors it to bone. Both can range from mild overstretching to significant partial or complete tearing, and the grade of injury determines how long recovery takes and what kind of support you need.
The two injuries often happen together — a hard ankle roll, for example, can strain the muscles around the joint at the same time it sprains the ligament. Swelling, bruising, and pain with movement are common to both, which is one reason an evaluation is valuable: it confirms what you're dealing with, rules out a fracture, and guides the right approach.
The good news
The large majority of sprains and strains heal well with the right early management and progressive rehabilitation. Severe grade III injuries may need more involved treatment, but even then, surgery is often avoidable with a well-designed non-operative plan. Starting care promptly reduces the chance of chronic instability or re-injury.
Grading and the fracture question
We grade sprains from I (stretch, no tear) to III (complete tear), and strains similarly. On presentation, we first rule out an associated avulsion fracture or bony injury — which can mimic a soft-tissue injury clinically. Imaging guides the decision. Grade I–II injuries follow a progressive functional rehabilitation path; grade III injuries are assessed for structural stability and managed accordingly.
Common signs we treat.
Swelling and bruising
Localized swelling, warmth, and bruising appearing within hours of injury — reflecting bleeding and inflammation at the injured ligament or muscle.
Pain with movement
Pain that's relatively manageable at rest but sharp or significant when you try to move or load the injured area — a hallmark of soft-tissue injury.
Weakness or instability
A sense that the joint won't hold, or that the muscle can't generate full force — particularly significant in higher-grade tears where tissue continuity is disrupted.
From hurting to healed.
We work from the least-invasive options upward, escalating only if you need it. Most patients improve well before surgery is ever discussed.
Diagnose the cause
A physician examines you and, if needed, reviews imaging to pinpoint exactly what's driving the pain.
Calm it down
Targeted physical therapy, activity guidance, and medication to settle the irritation and reduce inflammation.
Image-guided injections
If pain persists, a precisely targeted injection delivered to the source under imaging.
Advanced options
For the few who need more, minimally invasive interventional procedures — with surgery as a last resort.
Treatment is matched to your specific diagnosis at your visit. The options shown reflect NASPAC's general approach and should be confirmed against the practice's verified procedure list.
Still have questions?
A sprain affects ligaments (bone-to-bone connectors), while a strain affects muscles or tendons (muscle-to-bone connectors). Both can be painful and cause swelling, but the tissue involved and the rehab approach differ. A physician evaluation can tell you which you're dealing with and whether imaging is needed.
Fractures and soft-tissue injuries can feel very similar, especially in the ankle or wrist. Signs that increase the likelihood of a fracture include point tenderness directly over the bone, inability to bear any weight at all, or deformity. If there's any doubt — especially in children — it's worth getting evaluated and imaged.
Mild grade I sprains and strains often heal in one to three weeks with proper care. Moderate grade II injuries may take four to six weeks. Severe grade III tears can take months and occasionally require surgical consultation. Returning to full activity before the tissue is ready is the most common reason injuries recur or become chronic.
See a physician if you can't bear weight on the injured joint, if swelling is severe or rapidly worsening, if you heard a pop at the time of injury, or if pain and swelling haven't meaningfully improved within 48–72 hours. Also come in if a previous sprain or strain in the same area keeps recurring — repeated injury suggests an underlying stability issue worth addressing.
Stop managing the pain alone.
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