WHAT IS TRAUMA?

Sprains and tendinitis in the front line!

Joints are highly sought in daily life and usually put under strain when practicing some sports. Joints may be subject to traumas that may be violent (knocks, shocks), or insidious but repetitive to end up with sprains and tendinitis.

These pathologies constitute the most frequent reasons for consult in common trauma with approximately 6 million consults per year for tendinitis and not less than 6000 consults a day for one ankle sprain ⁽¹⁾!

Sprains and tendinitis are trivial but painful and disabling and must not be neglected. They may cause complications and must be treated appropriately.

What is the difference between a sprain and tendinitis?

• A sprain is a damage to one or more ligaments in a joint, leading to painful inflammation with eventual swelling (oedema). Ligaments are fibrous structures that maintain the joint by connecting bones resting on both sides. These ligaments are poorly expandable and any forced movement, excessive traction leads to extreme stretching, even a rupture. That is a sprain.
• Tendinitis, on the other hand, corresponds to damage to the tendon. The tendon connects the bone from a joint to a muscle same as a rope. Its passes on the muscle strength and allows the movement of the joint. A too intense or repetitive effort induces an irritation and inflammation of the tendon. Unlike the sprain which is usually acute, tendinitis is generally progressive. The movement becomes difficult and painful, it’s tendinitis.

^REFERENCE

^{1) Leuret A. et al. L’entorse de cheville au service d’urgence. Conférence de consensus en médecine d’urgence – SFMU Actualisation 2004}