What common injury is characterized by pain and swelling around the joint?

Ankle sprains are characterized by pain and swelling around the joint due to the stretching or tearing of ligaments that support the ankle. This typically occurs when the foot twists or turns awkwardly, forcing the ankle out of its normal position. The ligaments are responsible for stabilizing the joint, and when they are injured, inflammation occurs as the body responds to the trauma, leading to noticeable swelling and discomfort around the area.

The symptom of localized pain and swelling is a key indicator of an ankle sprain, making it a common presentation in sports and physical activities. This specific injury can often be easily subjected to assessment methods such as the anterior drawer test or the talar tilt test to confirm the extent of ligament damage.

Other injuries, while also potentially causing pain and swelling, exhibit different characteristics. For instance, fractures typically present with severe pain, inability to bear weight, and possibly a visible deformity, but they may not show pronounced swelling until later stages. Muscle strains result in pain localized in the muscle itself, often accompanied by spasm or weakness, rather than swelling around a joint. Contusions, or bruises, involve damage to muscle or soft tissue, leading to discoloration and tenderness but not specifically swelling around a joint. Therefore,