Describe the difference between a sprain and a strain.

• A. A sprain is injury to a ligament; a strain is injury to a muscle or tendon
• B. A sprain is a bone injury; a strain is a nerve injury
• C. A sprain is a joint dislocation; a strain is a cartilage injury
• D. A sprain is a muscle tear; a strain is a ligament injury

Answer: (A)

The difference is which tissue is damaged. A sprain is an injury to a ligament, the bands that connect bones at a joint and help stabilize it. A strain is an injury to a muscle or its tendon, the tissue that links muscle to bone and produces movement. So an ankle sprain typically involves tearing or overstretching the ligaments around the joint, while a hamstring strain involves damage to the muscle-tendon unit in the back of the thigh. This distinction matters because ligaments and muscles heal differently and guide how rehab is approached: sprains focus on stabilizing the joint and restoring proprioception, whereas strains emphasize rebuilding muscle strength and flexibility.