A sprain is an injury to a ligament, where stress causes it to tear before it stretches. Ligaments are the connective tissue that join bones to bones and stabilise joints. Their job is to hold the bones of a joint in the correct alignment and enable movement through their appropriate plane.

There are 4 degrees of ligament sprain:

1st Degree: Where a portion of ligament is torn but the ligament remains functional.

2nd Degree: Where the ligament is partially torn or significantly stretched and swelling occurs. The ligament still connects the bones together but can’t function normally, causing laxity in the joint.

3rd Degree: Complete rupture of the ligament and no longer connects the bones together. This causes excessive movement and flexibility in the joint.

4th Degree: The ligament breaks and tears away the bone where it attaches (avulsion fracture).

Symptoms:

• Swelling

• Bruising

• Difficulty in moving the affected area

• Weakness of the affected limb

• Yelping/crying in pain

• Hobbling/limping

• Off food

• Worse after rest

• Suddenly unable to walk

• Intermittent or occasional lameness

• Not weight bearing normally on all four legs

• Not walking normally/ abnormal gait

• Stiffness

• Unable to jump

• Unable to go/up down the stairs

How massage can help:

• Breaking down of scar tissue

• Assist to repair the damaged fibres and tendons

• Improve stiffness and soreness

• Improve flexibility/ range of movement/gait and posture

• Improvement of comfort levels

• Relieve soreness, tension, and stiffness

• Improve the flow of nutrients to muscles and joints to accelerate recovery

• Improve the flow of toxins and waste away from muscles and joints

• Prevent or delay muscular atrophy due to inactivity

• Reduce inflammation

• Help manage areas of overcompensation