SPRAIN (from OF. esiweirdre, from Lat. ex primeee, to press out, from Lat. cx, out + pee mere, to press), or STRAIN. A term employed in surgery to designate a violent stretching of ten dinous or ligamentous parts with or without rup ture of some of their fibres. Sprains are very frequent in all the joints of the upper limbs, espe cially in the wrist and the articulations of the thumb. In the lower extremity the ankle is the joint by far the most frequently affected; and this is accounted for anatomically by the small size of the articular surfaces, the great weight the astragalus (the bone presenting the lower ar ticular surface) has to support, and the unyield ing nature of the lateral ligaments. In slight sprains of this joint the ligaments are only stretched or slightly lacerated, but in more se vere cases they may be completely torn through. Sprains are sometimes mistaken for fractures, and rice rcrsa and the two injuries may exist. The pain and swelling sometimes make an accurate diagnosis difficult, especially if the pa tient is not seen for some time after the acci dent ; and if any doubt exist:, the case should be treated as for the more severe injury. Sprains of the knee are not uncommon, and are character ized by great swelling from effusion of fluid with in the joint. Sprains of the hack are not nnfre fluent accidents, and are the most serious of any. The treatment of sprains generally must he regu lated by their severity. In most cases, elevation of the joint. the application of cold, and complete
rest in a splint will be sufficient. and as soon as the inflammation subsides massage and movement are necessary to prevent adhesions. Sometimes pain and impaired function persist for a long time, and frequently after a severe sprain a joint is permanently weaker.
Sprains, or strains. are very common among horses, owing to the severe exertions required of them, often while they are young and unpre pared for such work. Various muscles, liga ments, rind tendons are liable to strain. but none more frequently than the large tendons passing down the back of the fore limbs. In slight cases cold water continuously applied for several hours gives relief; but in all serious cases diligent mentation with water about the temperature 01 100° is preferable: or the injured part may be swathed in a thick woolen rag. kept constantly moist and warm by frequent wetting with the hot water. Perfect rest is essential, and in order to insure the relaxation of the large tendon: of the horse's limbs, he may in had cases lie kept slung for several days. Blisters, hot oils, firing, and all such irritants are on no account to lie used until the inflammation abates, and the part becomes cool and free from tenderness. Such remedies are then useful for causing the reab sorption of swelling, and perhaps also fur in vigorating the weakened part.