Strain/sprains can be permanent.
There are 3 grades of sprain/strain:
Grade 1: Overstretching of the ligament that is a transient condition that resolves.
Grade 2: Partial tearing of the ligament that does not heal, it wound repairs accordingly with internal scar tissue called adhesions. This is a permanent change in tissue structure and leaves the joint unstable.
Grade 3: This is a complete tear of the ligament and can require surgery. This leaves the joint very unstable, that over time will fill in with adhesions. This, additionally is a permanent scenario.
Doctors are not given the choice of choosing which type of strain/sprain in their diagnosis, as the coding guidelines only gives the doctor 1 choice. When confronted with a diagnosis from a doctor with strain/sprain, do not assume that it is a grade 1. Ask the doctor to clarify which grade you have to determine if it is a permanent condition or not. These can happen in any joint of the body including the spine and all extremities.
A sprained joint can become susceptible to repeated sprains if steps aren’t taken to treat the initial injury fully. As a result, it’s essential to take a few days to rest and stay off the injury before carrying on with an everyday routine.
If you have a sprain or strain that doesn’t seem to be healing on its own, or if you’ve suffered a severe joint or muscle tear, please reach out to Pittsburgh Spine and Injury Center. We can help determine a course of care that will get you back to enjoying the activities you love.
Can shockwave therapy help?
Short answer YES. Pittsburgh Spine and Injury Center is one of the few offices in the USA performing shockwave therapy which exert anti-inflammatory action, pro-angiogenic and regenerative effects as well.
