What type of injury occurs when ligaments are stretched or torn?

Ligament sprains occur specifically when ligaments, the connective tissues that attach bone to bone and provide stability to joints, are overstretched or torn. This type of injury often results from sudden movements that exceed the normal range of motion for the joint, such as twisting or falling. The severity of a ligament sprain can vary, with mild sprains involving stretching without significant tearing, while severe sprains may involve complete tears of the ligament.

Understanding the nature of ligament sprains highlights their distinction from other injuries. For instance, dislocations involve joints being forced out of their normal position and do not specifically involve ligament damage, while contusions are bruising injuries resulting from a direct blow to muscle tissue. Similarly, a hematoma is a localized collection of blood outside of blood vessels, often resulting from trauma but not specifically linked to the stretching or tearing of ligaments. Therefore, recognizing the characteristics and implications of a ligament sprain is crucial in distinguishing it from other types of injuries.