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Physiotherapy vocabulary · Musculoskeletal Conditions

Sprain

Meaning in physiotherapy, with examples

/spreɪn/nounCore term

In physiotherapy, sprain means: An injury to a ligament, the strong band of tissue that joins bones together, usually caused by suddenly twisting or overstretching a joint.

In Turkish: burkulma, bağ yaralanması

How it is used

Most often heard as 'ankle sprain' or 'sprained ankle'. Sprains are graded from 1 (mild stretching) to 3 (a complete tear). Both patients and clinicians use the word, and it is also a verb: 'I sprained my wrist'.

Example sentences

  1. She has a grade 2 sprain of the lateral ankle ligaments.

  2. I sprained my ankle playing football last weekend.

Common collocations

  • ankle sprain
  • sprained ankle
  • grade 2 sprain
  • ligament sprain
  • strainAn injury to a muscle or tendon in which fibres are overstretched or torn, often during a quick, powerful movement.
  • swellingAn increase in the size of a part of the body caused by extra fluid in the tissues, often after an injury, an operation or inflammation.
  • weight-bearingPutting some or all of your body weight through a leg (or arm), especially when the amount allowed is limited after an injury or operation.
  • acuteDescribes a problem that started recently and suddenly, such as a new injury or a sudden attack of pain.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Musculoskeletal Conditions

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.