What Is the Sprains and Strains Program?
Sprains and strains have similar names and similar symptoms, but they’re not the same. Sprains are damage to ligaments, the tough fibers that connect bones. Strains are injuries to muscles or tendons (fibrous tissue that connects muscle to bone or other structures).
Severe sprains and strains can be debilitating. At Summit Health, we have created a comprehensive program to treat sprains and strains from diagnosis to recovery.
Orthopedics Department Specialties
Foot and Ankle
The feet and ankles contain a much higher percentage of the body’s muscles, tendons and ligaments than might be expected, given their small size. Our orthopedics foot and ankle specialists and podiatrists have built their careers treating the specific challenges of sprains and strains of the foot and ankle.
Hand and Wrist
Each hand has a whopping 123 ligaments, as well as 34 muscles dedicated to moving just the fingers. It should be no surprise that sprains and strains of the hand and wrist are some of the most common reasons for disability and missed work. Our hand and wrist experts are specially trained to help rehabilitate strains and sprains of the hand and wrist.
Hip and Knee
As weight-bearing joints, hips and knees take a lot of abuse. Muscles, tendons and ligaments around the joints are just as susceptible to damage as the cartilage and bones of the joints. Our hip and knee specialists don’t simply focus on arthroplasty—they are experts in treating sprains and strains, as well.
Shoulder and Elbow
The shoulder and elbow are two of the most complex and important joints in the body. Sprains and strains in either area mean pain and possibly a loss of arm function. Our shoulder and elbow experts specialize in conditions of only these two joints, meaning they have the knowledge and expertise to treat strains and sprains of the elbow and shoulder.
Spine
Spine health goes beyond vertebrae and discs. In fact, strains and sprains of muscle and other soft tissue are the most common cause of lower back pain. Let our spine specialists fix your back.
Sports Medicine
Athletes are especially prone to sprains and strains. Our sports medicine experts can help get you back on the field–and keep you there with proper injury prevention.
Other Summit Health Departments
In addition to our orthopedics experts, you’ll be able to leverage Summit Health’s entire network of specialists. Some of these include:
- Acupuncture: Acupuncture may help with symptoms of sprains and strains, especially in conjunction with the more traditional treatment you’ll receive in our Sprains and Strains program.
- Interventional Pain Management: Pain is one of the hallmark symptoms of sprains and strains. Our interventional pain management experts are well versed in both traditional and complementary surgical and nonsurgical pain management techniques.
- Physical Therapy: Physical therapy is an important part of recovery from a sprain or a strain. Our physical therapists will help you strengthen the muscles around your injury, get your range of motion back, and provide you with the tools to keep you safe in the future.
- Physiatry: Physiatrists are experts in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal conditions, and they’re well versed in the recovery process. Our orthopedic surgeons work closely with the physiatry department to help heal strains and sprains.
- Radiology: Treating a sprain or a strain starts with proper diagnosis. Our imaging and radiology department utilizes cutting-edge diagnostic tools and techniques to isolate the problem and put you on the road to treatment.
- Urgent Care: Sprains and strains very often are the result of an acute injury. If you’ve been injured and your regular physician is unavailable, any of our four urgent care facilities can provide short-term, short-notice treatment.