Grade II Sprain

• A. some pain, minimal loss of function, no abnormal function, & mild point tenderness
• B. extremely painful, inevitable loss of function, swelling
• C. moderate pain and swelling, minimal instability of the joint, minimal to moderate tearing of the ligament, decreased ROM
• D. no pain with full function

Answer: (C)

Grading ligament sprains by how severely the ligament is damaged and how that damage shows up in symptoms is what this item tests. A Grade II sprain means a partial tear of the ligament with more damage than a mild stretch but not a full rupture. That level of injury typically causes moderate pain and swelling, some joint instability (enough to be noticeable but not a gross loss of stability), and a decrease in range of motion due to swelling and guarding of the joint. This places it between a mild sprain (where function is largely preserved) and a complete tear (where instability is marked and function is greatly reduced).

Clinically, you’d expect tenderness over the ligament, swelling, and difficulty bearing full weight or moving the joint, with careful movement revealing only partial loss of stability. Treatment focuses on protecting the joint to allow healing, using brief immobilization or a brace, then progressively restoring range of motion and strength. The combination of moderate pain and swelling, minimal instability, partial tearing, and decreased ROM best aligns with this grade.