What is a sprain?

• A. a joint dislocation with bones out of place
• B. a fracture where the bone breaks the skin
• C. an injury in which muscles, tendons, or ligaments are torn as a result of a trauma or overuse of a joint
• D. a muscle tear without ligament involvement

Answer: (C)

When a joint is twisted or forced beyond its normal range, the ligaments around that joint can tear or stretch. This injury is a sprain. Among the given options, the one that describes soft-tissue tearing around a joint—muscles, tendons, or ligaments—best fits a sprain, since it involves damage to the connective tissues supporting the joint. Other options point to different problems: a dislocation means bones are out of alignment, a fracture is a break in the bone, and a muscle tear without ligament involvement describes a strain (injury to muscle or tendon rather than a ligament).