“I sprained my hamstring.”
Usage Entry 1450 / 1605 60-second read
Sprain vs. Strain
A torn ligament versus a torn muscle or tendon.
The comparisoni
“I strained my hamstring — the hamstring is a muscle. SPRAIN = torn ligament. STRAIN = torn muscle / tendon.”
The ruleii
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SPRAIN = ligament. STRAIN = muscle.
SPRAIN is a ligament injury — the connective tissue between bones tears (ankle sprain, knee sprain). STRAIN is a muscle or tendon injury (hamstring strain, calf strain). Different tissues, different recovery patterns.
Memory aidiii
Remember it like this
Sprain a joint. Strain a muscle.