sprain

sprain   (sprān)    n.   A painful wrenching or laceration of the ligaments of a joint. The condition resulting from a sprain. tr.v.   sprained, sprain·ing, sprains To cause a sprain to (a joint or ligament). [Origin unknown.]

Main Entry: ¹sprain
Pronunciation: 'sprAn
Function: noun
: a sudden or violent twist or wrench of a joint causing the stretching or tearing ofligaments and often rupture of blood vessels with hemorrhage into the tissues; also : the condition resulting from a sprain that is usually marked by swelling, inflammation, hemorrhage,and discoloration —compare STRAIN b

sprain (sprān)
n.
An injury to a ligament when the joint is carried through a range of motion greater than its normal range without dislocation or fracture. v. sprained, sprain·ing, sprains
To cause a sprain to a joint or ligament.

sprain

overstretching or tearing of fibres in one or more of the ligaments that support a joint, caused by forced movement beyond their range. Symptoms include sudden severe pain, then swelling around the joint, tenderness, stiffness, and often black-and-blue marks as a result of bleeding into the joint. The common sites for sprains are the ankle, wrist, knee, finger or toe joints, and sacroiliac joint in the lower back. The usual treatment involves support and protection of the joint by adhesive bandaging and the use of graded exercises until healing is complete. If the sprain is severe, surgery to reunite ligaments may be necessary

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