Free AAMA Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Practice Question

A sprain is an injury to the ligaments around a joint caused by being stretched beyond their capacity, often as a result of trauma. The symptoms described – pain, swelling, and limited movement – without joint deformity, are typical of a sprain. A dislocation would likely present with a visible and/or palpable deformity due to the joint surfaces being forced out of their normal position. A strain involves an injury to a muscle or tendon, and while it may present similarly to a sprain, swelling is often less significant, and the lack of deformity or dislocation rules out these conditions in the patient's presentation.