How Long Does a Strain Take to Heal?

What is a Sprain and How Long Does It Take to Heal?

A sprain is a common injury that happens when ligaments are over stretched or torn. These ligaments are the tough fibrous tissues that connect two bones together. This overstretching can occur due to sudden unexpected movement, such as slipping on ice, twisting the ankle, and falling, or being involved in an impact during a motor vehicle accident (MVA). Sprains can happen in any joint, but at Chambers Medical Group we see a variety of ankle, knee, wrist and shoulder sprains. These injuries can vary in their severity ranging from mild stretch all the way to a complete tear. Dr. Aaron Workman is a patient favorite at Chambers Medical Group, one of the highest rated car accident medical care facilities in Lexington, and he explains how sprains are graded and what the expected recovery time may be for each.

What’s Your Grade?

When a sprain occurs, you may experience a rainbow of colors from bruising, have various amounts of swelling, and you will find it hard to move that joint. The severity of the injury determines how long it takes to heal, as well as the treatment required. In general, sprains are broken down into three grades.

1. Grade 1 sprains are mild, involving minimal stretching and microscopic tears in the ligament. This type usually heals within a couple of weeks if you rest it, use plenty of ice, compress, and elevate (RICE). This type of sprain can possibly last longer depending on your field of work and your health status before injury.

2. Grade 2 sprains are moderate and involve partial tearing of the ligament. This type of tear will lead to more pain and swelling. It may take you three to 6 weeks to have recovery and receiving treatment becomes even more important. If you do not seek proper treatment, you may not regain full function which can lead to degeneration of that joint somewhere down the road.

3. Grade 3 sprains are severe and will take the most time to heal. With this grade the ligament has completely torn. It may require surgical intervention at which point you will need a referral to have it looked at by a specialist. The joint may be braced for some time, then followed up with therapies which can then take several months to stabilize.

There are multiple factors that affect the healing time for sprains. Your overall health status, physical fitness, age, and activity level can have a big effect. If you are young, healthy, and active you will likely heal faster. Unfortunately, for those of us that are older or have pre-existing problems, it will take us much longer to heal. How you address your injuries in the beginning can have an impact on your recovery timeline, so practice the RICE method ASAP in the initial stages. Even if your injury becomes pain free you may have lingering instability and joint stiffness that will require proper therapies.

Most people will suffer sprains throughout their lifetime. If you have ever been involved in an MVA then that likelihood will increase substantially. When a sprain does occur, understanding its severity and following the correct course of treatment can make a significant difference in the healing process. Most mild to moderate sprains heal completely with time and proper therapies but depending on your previous health status that timeline can make patience wear thin. If you feel like you have suffered a sprain following an MVA, and your mobility and pain are interfering with the best parts of your life, then the doctors at Chambers Medical Group may be able to help.

— This article is written by Aaron Workman, DC, one of the members of Chambers Medical Group’s team of car accident chiropractors who offer a variety of treatments and therapies ranging from diagnostic testing to various soft tissue therapies for car accidents and injuries in Kentucky.

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