1. If you have a sprain, it means you've injured a ligament.
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The injury can be either an overstretching or a tear of one or more ligaments. Ligaments
are tough bands of tissue that hold two bones together. How bad a sprain is depends
on whether the ligament is torn completely or just partially. Also, the more ligaments
involved, the more severe the injury. Most sprains are minor injuries.
2. In a strain, a muscle or tendon is involved.
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Like a sprain, a strain involves an overstretch or a complete or partial tear, but
of a muscle or tendon instead of a ligament. Tendons are similar to ligaments in
that they are tough bands of tissue, but they attach a muscle to a bone instead
of holding two bones together. Like sprains, most strains are minor injuries.
3. The most common site for a sprain is the wrist.
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The most common site is the ankle. In fact, ankle sprains are the most common injury
in the United States. About 1 million ankle injuries occur each year, and 85 percent
of them are sprains. An ankle sprain most frequently occurs when the foot turns
inward as a person runs, turns, falls or lands on the ankle after a jump. This type
of sprain is called an inversion injury.
4. A typical sprain occurs when a person missteps and lands on the side of the foot.
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A sprain can also occur when a person falls and lands on an outstretched arm, or
twists the knee when the foot is already planted on the ground. In sports, sliding
into base or getting a blow to the body that forces a joint out of its normal position
can also result in a sprain. Any event that forces a joint from its normal position
can overstretch or tear a ligament.
5. One symptom of a sprain is a popping sound from the affected joint when the injury
occurs.
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This does not happen in all cases, however. Usual symptoms of a sprain include pain,
swelling and bruising at the joint. You may not be able to move the joint or it
may be extremely painful to move it. The symptoms vary in intensity, depending on
the severity of the sprain.
6. You should see your health care provider for a sprain if you cannot move or put
weight on the injured joint.
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Other times to see your health care provider for a sprain: the injured joint is
tender to touch; the injured area looks crooked or has bumps not visible on an uninjured
joint; your leg buckles when you try to use your injured knee or ankle; the injured
area is numb; or the injured area has been injured previously.
7. The back is a common site for strains.
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Another common site is the hamstring muscle, at the back of the thigh. People who
play contact sports such as soccer, football or hockey are at risk for strains.
Hand and forearm strains are more common among people who play tennis, row or golf.
Elbow strains can occur if you play racquet sports. Overuse of a joint can result
in a chronic strain. For a chronic strain, the damage accumulates slowly, rather
than all at once as in a fall or a blow to the joint.
9. A muscle spasm can be a symptom of a strain.
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Other symptoms include pain and muscle weakness. At the site of the injury, there
may be swelling, cramping or inflammation. A severe strain involving a muscle or
tendon tear can be very painful and disabling.
10. You should treat a sprain or strain by immeditely applying moist heat.
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You should follow the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) treatment for the
first one to two days after the injury: Rest the injured joint, apply an icepack
for 20 minutes four to eight times a day, wrap the joint with a compression bandage
and elevate it above the level of your heart. Your health care provider may recommend
a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen to help reduce pain
and swelling. A moderate to severe sprain or strain may need a cast or brace to
hold the joint still while it heals. A severe sprain or strain may require surgery
to repair the tear. How long it takes a sprain or strain to heal depends on how
the severity of the injury. A moderate ankle sprain might need up to six weeks to
heal; a severe sprain might need a year.
11. Wearing shoes that fit properly is one way to prevent a sprain or strain.
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Other ways to prevent sprains and strains include maintaining a healthy weight;
avoiding falls by keeping walkways in and around your home clear of clutter and
by using sand or salt on icy patches in the winter; and wearing protective equipment
when a playing a sport that puts you at risk for a sprain or strain.
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