What Is The Difference Between A Sprain and A Strain?

A sprain is an injury to a ligament. A ligament is a thick, tough, fibrous tissue that connects bones together. Commonly injured ligaments are in the spine, ankle, knee and wrist.

Ligaments are often injured when they are stretched beyond their natural limit (i.e. too far from their normal position). The purpose of having ligaments is to hold your skeleton in a normal alignment -- ligaments prevent abnormal movements. However, when too much force is applied to a ligament, such as in a fall, the ligaments can be stretched or torn; this injury is called a sprain.