A strain, sprain, or tear can be painful. With the right treatment, most heal with no lasting problems.

A sprain is an injury to the ligaments or capsule that holds a joint together. There are no broken bones. Most sprains take about three-to-six weeks to heal. If the ligament is completely torn (severe sprain), it can take months to recover.

A strain is an injury to a muscle or to a tendon (tissue that connects muscle to bone). It is sometimes called a “pulled muscle.” A strain happens when a muscle or tendon is stretched too far or is partially torn. Symptoms of a strain are pain, swelling, and having a problem moving or using the injured area. The hamstring (thigh muscle), calf muscle, and Achilles tendon are commonly strained.

A tear often occurs when a joint is forced beyond its normal range of motion. This can stretch or tear the ligament, much like the fibers of a rope coming apart. Both surgical and nonsurgical treatment has been used to recover from a tear. Several types of surgery are available based on you and your doctor's preferences as well as other factors.