Editing Sprain (section)

== Diagnosis ==
Sprains can often be diagnosed clinically based on the patient's signs and symptoms, mechanism of injury, and [[physical examination]]. However, [[x-ray]]s can be obtained to help identify fractures, especially in cases of [[Tenderness (medicine)|tenderness]] or bone pain at the injured site.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Vuurberg|first1=Gwendolyn|last2=Hoorntje|first2=Alexander|last3=Wink|first3=Lauren M.|last4=Doelen|first4=Brent F. W. van der|last5=Bekerom|first5=Michel P. van den|last6=Dekker|first6=Rienk|last7=Dijk|first7=C. Niek van|last8=Krips|first8=Rover|last9=Loogman|first9=Masja C. M.|last10=Ridderikhof|first10=Milan L.|last11=Smithuis|first11=Frank F.|date=2018-08-01|title=Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of ankle sprains: update of an evidence-based clinical guideline|url=https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/52/15/956|journal=British Journal of Sports Medicine|language=en|volume=52|issue=15|pages=956|doi=10.1136/bjsports-2017-098106|issn=0306-3674|pmid=29514819|doi-access=free}}</ref> In some instances, particularly if the healing process is prolonged or a more serious injury is suspected, [[magnetic resonance imaging]] (MRI) is performed to look at the surrounding [[soft tissue]] and [[ligament]]s.<ref>{{cite web | title=Sprains: Diagnosis & Treatement | website=Mayo Clinic | date=2022-10-27 | url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sprains/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20377943 | access-date=2024-09-24 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20240528135935/https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sprains/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20377943 | archivedate = 2024-05-28 | url-status = live}}</ref>{{Failed verification | date = September 2024 | reason = Both previous and current Mayo Clinic ref lag details why MRI is used for diagnosis.}}

=== Classification ===
#'''First degree sprain (mild)''' – There is minor stretching and structural damage to the ligament, leading to mild swelling and bruising. Patients typically present without joint instability or decreased range of motion of the joint.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}
#'''Second degree sprain (moderate)''' – There is a partial tear of the affected ligament. Patients typically experience moderate swelling, tenderness, and some instability of the joint. There may be some difficulty bearing weight on the affected joint.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/sprain-overview-a-to-z|title=Sprain (Overview)|last=Publishing|first=Harvard Health|website=Harvard Health|date=17 May 2019|access-date=2020-04-20}}</ref>
#'''Third degree sprain (severe)''' – There is a complete rupture or tear of the ligament, sometimes [[avulsion fracture|avulsing]] a piece of bone. Patients typically experience severe joint instability, pain, bruising, swelling, and inability to apply weight to the joint.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.orthoinfo.org/en/diseases--conditions/sprains-strains-and-other-soft-tissue-injuries/|title=Sprains, Strains and Other Soft-Tissue Injuries - OrthoInfo - AAOS|website=www.orthoinfo.org|access-date=2020-04-14}}</ref>

[[File:Sprain SAG.jpg|thumb|300px|Three-dimensional animation illustrating a sprain]]

=== Joints involved ===

Although any joint can experience a sprain, some of the more common injuries include the following:<ref name=":5" />

{{Anchor|Ankle}}
*[[Ankle]] - Sprains most commonly occur at the ankle and can take longer to heal than ankle bone fractures. Most sprained ankles usually occur in the lateral ligaments on the outside of the ankle. Common causes include walking on uneven surfaces or during contact sports.<ref>{{cite book | first1 = David | last1 = Shier | first2 = Jackie | last2 = Butler | first3 = Ricki | last3 = Lewis | name-list-style = vanc |title=Hole's Human Anatomy & Physiology |date=2007 |publisher=McGraw Hill / Irwin |isbn=978-0-07-330555-4 |pages=157, 160 |edition=11th}}</ref> See [[sprained ankle]] or [[high ankle sprain]] for more details.
**Inversion Ankle Sprain - injury that occurs when ankle rolls inward
**Eversion Ankle Sprain - injury that occurs when ankle rolls outward
*[[Toe]]s
**[[Metatarsophalangeal joint sprain|Turf toe]] (metatarsophalangeal joint sprain) - forced hyperextension of the big toe upwards, especially during sports (initiating a sprint on a hard surface)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.orthoinfo.org/en/diseases--conditions/turf-toe/|title=Turf Toe - OrthoInfo - AAOS|website=www.orthoinfo.org|access-date=2020-04-24}}</ref>
{{Anchor|Knee}}
*[[Knee]] - Sprains commonly occur at the knee, especially following intense pivoting on a planted leg during [[contact sport]]s ([[American football]], [[association football|football]], [[basketball]], [[pole vaulting]], [[softball]], [[baseball]] and some styles of [[martial arts]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/knee-sprain-a-to-z|title=Knee Sprain|last=Publishing|first=Harvard Health|website=Harvard Health|date=5 April 2019|access-date=2020-04-20}}</ref>
**[[Anterior cruciate ligament injury|Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury]]
**[[Posterior cruciate ligament injury|Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury]]
**Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury
**Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury
**Superior Tibiofibular Joint Sprain - typically caused by a twisting injury to the joint connecting the [[tibia]] (shinbone) and [[fibula]]
**[[Patellar dislocation]]
{{Anchor|Wrist}}
*[[Finger]]s and [[wrist]]s - Wrist sprains commonly occur, especially during a fall on an outstretched hand.
**[[Gamekeeper's thumb]] ([[Skier's thumb]]) - forceful grabbing that leads to an injury to the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) at the [[Metacarpophalangeal joint|metacarpophalangeal]] (MCP) joint of the thumb, historically found in Scottish gamekeepers<ref>{{Citation|last1=Hung|first1=Chen-Yu|title=Gamekeepers Thumb (Skiers, Ulnar Collateral Ligament Tear)|date=2020|url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499971/|work=StatPearls|publisher=StatPearls Publishing|pmid=29763146|access-date=2020-04-24|last2=Varacallo|first2=Matthew|last3=Chang|first3=Ke-Vin}}</ref>
*[[Spinal disease|Spine]]
**Neck sprain at the [[cervical vertebrae]]
**[[Whiplash (medicine)|Whiplash]] (Traumatic Cervical Spine Syndrome) - forced hyperextension and flexion of the neck, classically found in [[Rear-end collision|rear-end]] auto accidents<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Tanaka|first1=Nobuhiro|last2=Atesok|first2=Kivanc|last3=Nakanishi|first3=Kazuyoshi|last4=Kamei|first4=Naosuke|last5=Nakamae|first5=Toshio|last6=Kotaka|first6=Shinji|last7=Adachi|first7=Nobuo|date=2018-02-28|title=Pathology and Treatment of Traumatic Cervical Spine Syndrome: Whiplash Injury|journal=Advances in Orthopedics|volume=2018|pages=4765050|doi=10.1155/2018/4765050|issn=2090-3464|pmc=5851023|pmid=29682354|doi-access=free}}</ref>
**[[Human back|Back]] sprain - Back sprains are one of the most common medical complaints, often caused by poor lifting mechanics and weak [[Core muscle training|core muscles]].