- What Are Sprains and Strains?
- How Are Sprains and Strains Treated?
- How Do You Diagnose Sprains and Strains?
- What Are the Symptoms of Sprains and Strains?
- UMG Urgent Care Reviews
- What Causes Sprains and Strains?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Don't Let Sprains and Strains Slow You Down
- Get In Touch
- Related Procedures
What Are Sprains and Strains?
Sudden injuries, like sprains and strains, can put a pause on your daily life, especially if you lead an active lifestyle or if you experience an unexpected fall or twist. Sprains and strains are injuries that happen to different parts of the body but can often feel quite similar. It's easy to confuse them, but they involve different types of tissues. A sprain is an injury to the ligaments, which are the tough bands that connect bones to other bones in a joint. This type of injury typically happens when a joint, such as the ankle, is twisted or rolled beyond its normal range of motion. But you can also sprain a wrist, knee, or finger. A strain affects the muscles or the tendons, which are the tissues that connect muscles to bones. This kind of injury often results from overstretching or overusing the muscles. For instance, a back muscle strain can occur if you lift something heavy with improper posture. Lower back muscle strain is particularly common among people who sit or stand in awkward positions for long periods or engage in physically demanding tasks. Knowing the difference between a sprain and a strain is important because the treatment for these injuries can vary. Whether it's a twisted ankle, a pulled back muscle, or an overextended finger, our team at UMG Urgent Care in Columbia, MD is here to help you heal properly and comfortably.
How Are Sprains and Strains Treated?
The treatment approach for strains and sprains often depends on the severity of the injury. For both, rest, ice, compression, and elevation (commonly known as RICE) are the first steps. These steps can help reduce swelling and pain and improve healing time. For a sprained ankle, applying ice as soon as possible can minimize swelling and pain. It's crucial to rest the joint and use a compression bandage to help prevent further swelling. Elevating the injured area above the level of your heart can also reduce fluid buildup. Learning how to speed up muscle strain recovery involves a combination of rest, applying ice during the first 48 hours, and using heat therapy to ease any persistent muscle tightness. Recovery might also include physical therapy to help strengthen and stabilize the muscles and prevent future injuries. In some cases, over-the-counter pain relievers, like ibuprofen, can help manage the discomfort of a sprain or strain. At UMG Urgent Care, we can provide a tailored treatment plan for your injury to ensure optimal healing.
How Do You Diagnose Sprains and Strains?
We diagnose sprains and strains at UMG Urgent Care by first asking about how the injury happened and what symptoms you're experiencing. From there, we do a physical exam to check for swelling, bruising, tenderness, or limited movement in the affected area. In many cases, that's enough to tell whether it's a sprain, strain, or possibly something more serious. If we need a clearer look (especially to rule out a fracture) we may order an imaging test, such as an x-ray or MRI. Our goal is to understand exactly what's going on so we can recommend the right treatment and help you heal safely.
What Are the Symptoms of Sprains and Strains?
Recognizing the symptoms can help you determine whether you have a sprain or a strain and know when it's time to seek professional care. Symptoms can help you differentiate between a sprain and a strain as you seek proper treatment and follow recovery instructions. Symptoms include:
- Pain around the joint or muscle, especially with movement
- Swelling in the injured area or muscle
- Bruising or changes in skin color around the injury
- Limited mobility in the joint
- Popping sensation at the time of injury (for sprains)
- Muscle pain, cramping, or spasms
- Trouble putting weight on an injured ankle or knee
UMG Urgent Care Reviews
This is a brand new facility, and everything is spotless. Bianca, the receptionist, and nurse assistant is courteous and very helpful. I was taken care of right away. Bianca checked my vitals, and cleaned the cut I had on my finger. She also gave me a tetanus shot that was totally pain free! I was amazed!Then I saw Stephanie, the nurse practitioner. She is also very nice and calm. She explained well to me what to do to care for my cut. She was very reassuring. She took really good care of my wound. This was a very good experience!
The staff is so welcoming! Super patient and kind! Quick and efficient but take care of your needs!So thankful for this team being so close to where I live 🫶🏼
I usually dread going to urgent care due to long waits and so-so service, but this place completely changed my expectations!I visited today for something I thought was urgent and was pleasantly surprised by how smooth and professional everything was. From the check-in with Bianca to the care I received from Dr. Stephanie, everyone was courteous, thorough, and truly caring. This is not your typical urgent care — it’s a gem. I’m so glad I found it and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for top-notch care and a kind, efficient team.
Brought my daughter here on a Sunday after a harrowing experience Friday at an ENT office in Laurel. Someone described the facility as more like a spa than an urgent care and I agree!! Even better, the staff is incredible. We were greeted professionally and checked in promptly by Odette. She was friendly and efficient. Dr. Wurapa helps Dr. Stephanie Arsenault on weekend and he was nothing short of incredible. He put my already-anxious daughter at immediate ease, discussing colleges and her future plans. He walked us through each step of the treatment and made sure she was comfortable along the way. Even though it isn’t as close as many others, I will return here any and every time we have an urgent care need. They also have a dentist office and PT on staff. The facility is maintained impeccably. Highly recommend!!Thanks to UMG for making this stressful weekend a distant memory!!
My wife had dizziness and nausea all day and they gave her a shot and she felt better immediately. Very nice, caring staff and nice clean facilities. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
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Total Reviews
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Average Rating
What Causes Sprains and Strains?
Sprains and strains are usually caused by overstretching or tearing soft tissues during sudden or forceful movements. A sprain happens when ligaments (the bands of tissue that connect bones at a joint) are stretched or torn, often due to twisting or falling awkwardly. Strains, on the other hand, involve muscles or tendons and typically result from overuse, lifting something too heavy, or not warming up properly before physical activity. Both injuries are common in sports, but they can also happen during everyday activities, like slipping on a wet floor or lifting a box the wrong way.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I seek medical treatment for a sprain or strain?
You should reach out to UMG Urgent Care if you're unable to put weight on the affected area, if the pain is severe or getting worse, or if you notice significant swelling, bruising, or deformity. Also seek care if the joint feels unstable or if symptoms don't improve after a few days of at-home care. A medical evaluation can rule out a fracture or a more serious injury that may need specific treatment.
How long does a sprain take to heal?
The healing time for a sprain depends on how severe it is. A mild sprain may start feeling better in a few days, while a moderate one might take a few weeks. Severe sprains that involve torn ligaments can take several months and may even require physical therapy or surgery. Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (the R.I.C.E. method) can help speed up recovery, but it's important to avoid rushing back into activity too soon.
How long does it take a strained muscle to heal?
Most mild to moderate muscle strains heal within a few days to a few weeks. More serious strains, especially those involving a partial tear, can take several weeks or even a couple of months. Recovery time also depends on the location of the strain and how well you follow care instructions, including rest and rehabilitation exercises. Giving the muscle enough time to heal fully is key to avoiding re-injury.
Don't Let Sprains and Strains Slow You Down
Sprains and strains may be painful, but they don't have to slow you down for long. UMG Urgent Care offers quick and efficient care so you can get back to feeling your best. Our treatments for sprained ankles, back muscle strains, or any other injuries focus on providing you with personalized care and fast relief. Visit our Columbia, MD practice for guidance before your injury worsens.