Summer is a busy time for kids, playing outside, enjoying summer camp, and participating in organized sports. Unfortunately, injuries like sprains, strains or breaks can occur during these activities. Understanding the symptoms and knowing when to seek treatment, can provide a parent or caregiver much needed peace of mind.
What’s the Difference Between a Strain, Sprain or Break?
Strains
- Strains affect muscles and tendons and can happen when muscles or tendons are over stretched or overused.
- Common symptoms include pain/tenderness, redness or bruising, limited movement, muscle spasm, swelling, and/or muscle weakness.
Sprains
- Sprains occur when ligaments supporting joints are overstretched or torn. In severe cases, ligaments are completely torn and no longer able to support the joint properly.
- Common symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, restricted joint movement, or a popping sound during injury.
Breaks
- Breaks occur when the bone has been shattered or fractured. Immediate medical attention is necessary.
- Symptoms include sudden pain, difficulty moving the area, inability to bear weight, swelling, warmth, bruising, redness, or visible deformity.
When to Seek Medical Treatment
Consult a healthcare provider if your child experiences immediate pain after an accident, pain that disrupts their sleep, persistent pain, or reluctance to use the injured body part.
If an accident does happen, consider Pediatric Urgent Care of Northern Colorado for care and treatment. We are here 365 days a year! If you have any questions, please contact us.