Difference Between Ankle Sprain And Ankle Strain?

Introduction

No matter if you're a sportsman, a daily walker, or simply had a slip, ankle injuries are something that everyone can suffer from. Two of the most common types of ankle injuries are ankle sprains and ankle strains. While they may appear similar, they are quite different in terms of injured tissues, symptoms, causes, and treatment procedures.

The majority of people confuse these two conditions, and this misunderstanding can lead to improper treatment or delayed recovery. So let us make a difference between an ankle sprain and an ankle strain, and introduce you to know what actually happens when your ankle aches. 

What is an Ankle Sprain?

An ankle sprain is a strain to the ligaments that join the ankle bone together. Ligaments are dense bands of fibrous tissue which bind bones to bones. Ligaments stabilize joints and keep joints from moving too far in an inappropriate direction.

When you roll or twist your ankle in a non-normal position, these ligaments get overextended or ruptured. That is what develops an ankle sprain.

Common Causes of Ankle Sprain:

• Walking or running on uneven surfaces
• Twisting or rolling the ankle during sports
• Jumping and landing awkwardly
• Wearing loose shoes or high heels

Ankle Sprain Symptoms:

• Sharp and sudden pain around the ankle
• Bruising and swelling
• Tenderness to touch
• Decreased range of motion
• Instability of the ankle (feeling it)
• A pop or tearing sound at the time of injury (in severe injuries)

Sprains are graded in three ways

• Grade 1 (mild): Mild stretching and minimal ligament injury
• Grade 2 (moderate): Partial tear with edema and pain that can be noted
• Grade 3 (severe): Complete tearing of the ligament, often with significant instability

What is an Ankle Strain?

An ankle strain occurs when muscles or tendons around the ankle become over-stretched or torn. Tendons connect muscles to bones and help joints move.

Strains typically result from overuse, poor position of the body when you are being active, or incorrect lifting of heavy objects. Strains differ from sprains in that they can develop over time, especially if you continue to apply strain to the same set of muscles without sufficient rest.

Common Causes of Ankle Strain:

• Overexertion of physical activity
• Sudden stretch or pull of the muscle
• Incorrect lifting of heavy weights
• Repetitive motion, especially by athletes

Symptoms of Ankle Strain:

• Aching, throbbing pain
• Muscle tightness or spasms
• Swelling, particularly in the muscular area
• Weakness in moving the foot
• Pain that gets worse with use
• Like sprains, strains also vary in degree:

Mild strain: Overstretched muscle with little damage

Moderate strain: Incomplete tear in the tendon or muscle

Severe strain: Complete tear, sometimes resulting in considerable pain and loss of function

Ankle Sprain vs. Ankle Strain: Main Differences

Although both conditions involve the ankle and result in pain, the actual issue is quite different.

 

Feature	Ankle Sprain	Ankle Strain
Affected tissue	Ligaments (bone-to-bone connection)	Muscles or tendons (muscle-to-bone connection)
Common cause	Twisting or rolling of the ankle	Overuse or overstretching of muscle/tendon
Pain type	Sharp, immediate pain	Dull, throbbing pain
Swelling	Often significant, may include bruising	Mild to moderate
Muscle spasms	Rare	Common
Joint instability	Likely	Not common
Time of onset	Sudden	Can be sudden or develop gradually
Time of onset	Sudden	Can be sudden or develop gradually

How to Treat an Ankle Sprain at Home

If you suspect you've sprained your ankle, early management is essential in order to prevent further damage. Most minor and moderate ankle sprains can be managed at home with the application of the R.I.C.E. principle:

• Rest: Steer clear of weight-bearing over the ankle. Crutches are advisable if this is not feasible.
• Ice: Apply ice 15–20 minutes every 2–3 hours during the first 48 hours to reduce swelling.
• Compression: Use an elastic bandage or support to immobilize and compress the ankle.
• Elevation: Raise the ankle above the heart to allow drainage of fluid.

More Home Tips:

• Avoid heat or massage for the first few days.
• Use OTC pain drugs like ibuprofen or paracetamol.
• Don't try to push through pain. Allow slow healing of your ankle.
• Try gentle rotation of the ankle when swelling decreases.

How to Treat an Ankle Strain at Home

Ankle strains also heal well with R.I.C.E. in the first few days, but muscle injury heals better with early mobilization once the pain settles.

Home Care for Ankle Strain:

• Rest and avoid strenuous activities but do not stay completely stationary.
• Cold compresses in the first stage help in minimizing swelling.
• Use warm compresses after 48–72 hours to increase blood supply.
• Light stretching and mobility exercises are vital for muscle repair.
• Drink and eat enough protein to aid muscle recovery.

Read Also: Effective Tips for Easing Pain After Knee Replacement Surgery

 

Ankle Sprain Recovery Time

The recovery time for an ankle sprain depends on its severity:

• Grade 1 (minor): 1–2 weeks
• Grade 2 (moderate): 3–6 weeks
• Grade 3 (severe): 8–12 weeks or more (need physical therapy or surgery)

Mild sprain heals very easily with proper care and rest. But severe sprains with damaged ligaments take a long time to heal and most often require rehabilitation exercises for regaining the strength and flexibility.

Signs of Recovery:

• Less pain and swelling
• Better range of movement
• Walking normally without limping 

Read Also: Sports Injuries Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment in Delhi, India

 

Ankle Strain Healing Time

Healing time for an ankle strain also depends on the severity of the muscle or tendon injury:

• Mild strain: 1–2 weeks
• Moderate strain: 3–4 weeks
• Severe strain: 6 weeks or longer (exceptional cases may involve surgery or therapy)
• Muscles are quicker to heal than ligaments, and hence strains may take slightly less time to heal compared to sprains. However, if the strain is to a large tendon like the Achilles tendon, it might take longer.

Rehabilitation aims at:

• Gradually developing mobility
• Preventing stiffness through stretching
• Exercises to strengthen and prevent reoccurrence

When Do You Need to See a Doctor?

Home treatments can work for mild ones, but you need to visit a doctor in the following situations:

• Severe pain that continues after a couple of days
• Trouble in walking or bearing weight on the foot
• Extensive swelling or deformity
• Numbness or tingling of the foot
• Sensation of a "pop" or "snap" upon getting injured
• Repeated ankle injury

A physician can prescribe:

• X-ray (to rule out fracture)
• MRI or ultrasound (to assess ligament, muscle, or tendon injury)
• Physical rehabilitation for long-term recovery
• Ankle boot or brace in more severe injuries

Prevention Tips for Ankle Sprain and Strain

Prevention is the best cure. If you've injured your ankle before or simply wish to avoid injury, the following simple steps can be followed:

• Warm up and stretch prior to any sport or exercise.
• Wear properly fitting, supportive shoes suitable for your activity.
• Avoid walking and running on uneven surfaces wherever possible.
• Do ankle strengthening exercises such as heel raises, resistance band exercises, and balance training.
• Listen to your body—don’t ignore early signs of fatigue or discomfort.
• If you’ve injured your ankle before, consider wearing an ankle brace during high-risk activities.

Conclusion

Briefly, one needs to distinguish between ankle strain and ankle sprain in order to recover properly and take appropriate care. Sprain takes place in the ligaments holding the ankle bones together, while a strain happens in the tendons and muscles that help you move the ankle.

Both injuries can potentially be painful, swollen, and with limited mobility. Treatment and the recovery period vary depending on the tissues involved. Early management, rest, and rehabilitative exercises are crucial in a bid to recover.

If you ever have any hesitation about whether or not you have sprained or strained your ankle, don't hesitate to consult with a health professional. Early diagnosis and treatment can save you months of misery and enable you to get back on your feet in safety.