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A sprain is an injury to a ligament, the tough tissue connecting bones at a joint, usually caused by twisting or overstretching, such as rolling an ankle. A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon, often from overstretching or overexertion.
Evidence checked against current HSE guidance for Sprains and strains, covering the article's core clinical information and relevant assessment, management or safety considerations.
Public health education article
Self-care advice — See a GP or physiotherapist if you can't bear weight, have significant swelling, or pain isn't improving after a few days.
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A sprain is an injury to a ligament, the tough tissue connecting bones at a joint, usually caused by twisting or overstretching, such as rolling an ankle. A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon, often from overstretching or overexertion.
Topic-specific prevention and risk reduction will be added during the article-specific evidence audit.
You're unable to bear weight or use the affected limb at all
A sprain is an injury to a ligament, the tough tissue connecting bones at a joint, usually caused by twisting or overstretching, such as rolling an ankle. A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon, often from overstretching or overexertion.
Both cause pain, swelling, and reduced movement in the affected area, and most mild to moderate cases heal well with simple self-care over a few weeks.
See a GP or physiotherapist if you can't bear weight, have significant swelling, or pain isn't improving after a few days.
These measures can help ease symptoms, support recovery, and reduce the chance of things worsening — but they don't replace medical advice if symptoms are severe or persistent.
BarnMD Health Intelligence uses authoritative and clinically relevant sources appropriate to the topic. References are shown so readers can inspect the evidence directly.
BarnMD Health Library provides general health education for public health literacy. Reading this article does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and this information is not a diagnosis, prescription, or personalised treatment plan. If you have symptoms or concerns about your health, seek appropriate advice from a qualified healthcare professional. If you develop emergency warning signs, seek urgent or emergency medical attention.
Most sprains and strains heal well within a few weeks using the R.I.C.E. method, gradually returning to normal activity as pain allows.
Following R.I.C.E. — Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation — within the first 48 hours makes a real difference to how quickly you recover.