Editing Sprain (section)

== Signs and symptoms ==
* [[Pain]]
* [[Swelling (medical)|Swelling]]
* [[bruise|Bruising]] or [[hematoma]] caused by broken blood vessels within the injured ligament
*Joint instability<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/sprains-and-strains|title=Sprains and Strains|last=Nancy Garrick|first=Deputy Director|date=2017-04-10|website=National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases|language=en|access-date=2020-04-14}}</ref>
*Difficulty with bearing weight
* Decreased functional ability or range of motion of the injured joint<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://medlineplus.gov/sprainsandstrains.html|title=Sprains and Strains|website=medlineplus.gov|access-date=2020-04-14}}</ref>
*Ligament rupture may cause a cracking or popping sound at the time of injury<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sprains/symptoms-causes/syc-20377938|title=Sprains - Symptoms and causes|website=Mayo Clinic|language=en|access-date=2020-04-14}}</ref>

Knowing the signs and symptoms of a sprain can be helpful in differentiating the injury from a [[Strain (injury)|strain]] or simple [[Bone fracture|fracture]]. Strains typically present with pain, [[cramp]]ing, muscle [[spasm]], and muscle [[weakness]], and fractures typically present  with bone [[Tenderness (medicine)|tenderness]], especially when bearing weight.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=113898|title=Strains and Sprains Signs, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment Information on MedicineNet.com|website=MedicineNet|language=en|access-date=2020-04-20}}</ref>