sprain

sprain

sprain stretching or wrenching of the ligaments and tendons of a joint, often with rupture of the tissues but without dislocation. Sprains occur most commonly at the ankle, knee, or wrist joints, causing pain, swelling, and difficulty in moving the involved joint. Treatment consists of application of ice bags or cold compresses, elevation of the injured part, and strapping or bandaging to substitute for the support usually given by the ligaments. A severe ankle sprain may require a cast to immobilize the joint for healing. See first aid .

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"sprain." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"sprain." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-sprain.html

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sprain

sprain A term used loosely for an injury involving joints and muscles: a ‘soft tissue injury’ which does not damage bone. Since a ‘sprain’ is characterized chiefly by subjective symptoms (though there may be swelling) and reveals no abnormality on X-ray, the precise site and nature of damage can only be guessed from the description of the type and direction of the strain suffered and the location of pain and tenderness. Sprains are probably mainly due to small tears in ligaments or muscles.

Stuart Judge

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COLIN BLAKEMORE and SHELIA JENNETT. "sprain." The Oxford Companion to the Body. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

COLIN BLAKEMORE and SHELIA JENNETT. "sprain." The Oxford Companion to the Body. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O128-sprain.html

COLIN BLAKEMORE and SHELIA JENNETT. "sprain." The Oxford Companion to the Body. 2001. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O128-sprain.html

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sprain

sprain / sprān/ • v. [tr.] wrench or twist the ligaments of (an ankle, wrist, or other joint) violently so as to cause pain and swelling but not dislocation: he left in a wheelchair after spraining an ankle. • n. the result of such a wrench or twist of a joint.

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"sprain." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"sprain." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-sprain.html

"sprain." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-sprain.html

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sprain

sprain Injury to one or more ligaments of a joint caused by sudden over-stretching. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, bruising, and swelling. Treatment includes resting and supporting the affected part before gentle mobilization.

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"sprain." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"sprain." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-sprain.html

"sprain." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-sprain.html

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sprain

sprain (sprayn) n. injury to a ligament, caused by sudden overstretching. Sprains should be treated by cold compresses (ice-packs) at the time of injury, and later by restriction of activity.

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"sprain." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"sprain." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-sprain.html

"sprain." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-sprain.html

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sprain

sprain vb. and sb. XVII. of uncert. orig
.

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T. F. HOAD. "sprain." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "sprain." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-sprain.html

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sprain

sprainabstain, appertain, arcane, arraign, ascertain, attain, Bahrain, bane, blain, brain, Braine, Cain, Caine, campaign, cane, chain, champagne, champaign, Champlain, Charmaine, chicane, chow mein, cocaine, Coleraine, Coltrane, complain, constrain, contain, crane, Dane, deign, demesne, demi-mondaine, detain, disdain, domain, domaine, drain, Duane, Dwane, Elaine, entertain, entrain, explain, fain, fane, feign, gain, Germaine, germane, grain, humane, Hussein, inane, Jain, Jane, Jermaine, Kane, La Fontaine, lain, lane, legerdemain, Lorraine, main, Maine, maintain, mane, mise en scène, Montaigne, moraine, mundane, obtain, ordain, pain, Paine, pane, pertain, plain, plane, Port-of-Spain, profane, rain, Raine, refrain, reign, rein, retain, romaine, sane, Seine, Shane, Sinn Fein, skein, slain, Spain, Spillane, sprain, stain, strain, sustain, swain, terrain, thane, train, twain, Ujjain, Ukraine, underlain, urbane, vain, vane, vein, Verlaine, vicereine, wain, wane, Wayne •watch chain • mondaine • Haldane •ultramundane • Cellophane •novocaine • sugar cane • marocain

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"sprain." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

Ankle Sprains: Medical Management Options.(Clinical report)
Newspaper article from: Urgent Care Alert; 2/1/2007
Ankle Sprains: What to Do and What Else to Look For.
Newspaper article from: Primary Care Reports; 5/14/2001
Ankle sprain injuries: a 2-year prospective cohort study in female Greek...
Magazine article from: Journal of Athletic Training; 7/1/2007

Facts and information from other sites

sprain images
sprain. (Image by Flickr user rezsox, CC)