Understanding Joint Injuries
A joint is usually two bones connected with ligaments. Muscles attach to the joint with tendons.
Image from www.medlineplus.com
Ligaments and tendons are made of connective tissue that can be overstretched or torn resulting in a strain (muscle/tendon) or sprain (ligament).
Strains
Strains can happen as acute or overuse injuries. Overuse injuries occur when there have been multiple microtraumas to the tissue. Acute injuries can range from an overstretched muscle to a complete tear of a muscle or tendon. Acute or overuse can manifest as pain in the muscle, swelling, weakness, or muscle spasm.
Depending on the severity, strains can heal within 3 weeks – 3 months, longer if there is a complete tear.
Sprains
Sprains (ligament injury) are an acute type of injury that usually results from trauma such as a fall or outside force that displaces the surrounding joint from its normal alignment. Sprains can range from a mild stretch to a complete tear. Bruising, swelling, instability, and painful movement are common symptoms experienced after a sprain occurs.
Ligamentous tissue is a much slower healing tissue and can take 6 weeks – 6 months for healing depending on severity. Complete tears often take longer.
It is important to understand what tissues you have injured. If you’re unclear of your injury, seek professional help to get proper diagnostics.
The mechanism of injury gives you information about the injury. Of course, if you get side-swiped on the field resulting in injury that is one thing. However, if the injury arose from non-contact, here are some questions of inquiry you can ask yourself to better understand how this injury happened. It’s also great to provide these answers to any medical assessment you may receive.
Did I have any pain, tightness or discomfort around the injury?
If so, how long have I noticed this pattern?
Did that pattern have any specific start or did it start without an event?
Do I have a history of previous injury to this area or around this area?
Non-contact injuries are usually the end of a process that the body has been trying to communicate with you about. Any pain or tightness is a signal from the nervous system saying, “Hey! Pay attention to me!” Oftentimes injury prevention is listening and responding to these signals as soon as they arrive.
Getting an injury can feel defeating but remember your body knows how to and wants to heal. Nature doesn’t rush, but she gets everything done. Be patient with your body as you heal.
This article is for general information only. The advice and recommendations we discuss do not replace a healthcare provider's advice, treatment, or care. The use and implementation of the information discussed are at the sole discretion of the reader.