Question

A sprain is defined as

• A. Acute pain in bone
• B. Ligament tear
• C. Muscle tear
• D. Tendon tear

Hint:

A useful mnemonic to distinguish between sprain and strain:

• Sprain}: 'L' for Ligament}.
• Strain}: 'T' for Tendon} (and Muscle).

Both involve tears or stretching, but they affect different connective tissues.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

What is a Sprain?

A sprain is an injury to a ligament, the fibrous tissue that connects bones to other bones at a joint. It typically occurs when a joint is forced beyond its normal range of motion, resulting in damage to the ligament. This can involve stretching or tearing of the ligament, leading to pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty moving the affected joint.

Understanding the Options

Let’s examine each option to determine what defines a sprain:

1. Acute Pain in Bone

Acute pain in bone is not the definition of a sprain. Pain in the bone is typically associated with fractures or bone injuries, not sprains. A sprain specifically involves damage to the ligaments, not bones. Therefore, this option is incorrect.

2. Ligament Tear

A ligament tear is the correct definition of a sprain. Sprains occur when the ligaments are stretched or torn due to excessive force or overextension of a joint. This type of injury leads to pain, swelling, and limited mobility in the affected joint. It is important to differentiate a sprain from a strain, which refers to injury to muscles or tendons.

3. Muscle Tear

A muscle tear refers to an injury to the muscle fibers, which is known as a strain, not a sprain. A strain involves the overstretching or tearing of muscles or tendons, while a sprain involves ligaments. Therefore, this option is incorrect for defining a sprain.

4. Tendon Tear

A tendon tear refers to an injury to the tendon, the tissue that connects muscles to bones. This is known as a tendon rupture or strain, not a sprain. Sprains specifically involve damage to ligaments, not tendons. Therefore, this option is incorrect for defining a sprain.

Why Ligament Tear is the Correct Answer

Sprains occur when ligaments are torn or overstretched, making ligament tear the correct definition of a sprain. It involves the injury to the ligaments around a joint, and it typically happens when the joint is forced beyond its normal range of motion.

Why Not the Other Options?

• Acute Pain in Bone: Pain in the bone is typically associated with fractures or other bone injuries, not sprains.
• Muscle Tear: This refers to a strain, which is an injury to muscles or tendons, not ligaments.
• Tendon Tear: This refers to a tendon injury, not a ligament injury, so it’s not related to sprains.

A Simple Way to Remember

Here’s a simple analogy:

• Sprain: Imagine a rubber band (ligament) getting stretched too far and snapping. This is what happens in a sprain—ligaments are torn or overstretched.
• Strain: Imagine stretching a piece of dough (muscle) too far until it breaks. This is what happens in a strain—muscles or tendons are injured.

Final Answer

The correct answer is Ligament tear, as a sprain involves the overstretching or tearing of a ligament.