What do you call the stretching or tearing of ligaments?

The stretching or tearing of ligaments is referred to as a sprain. Ligaments are tough bands of connective tissue that connect bones to other bones at a joint. When a joint is forced beyond its normal range of motion, it can lead to sprains, which may vary in severity from mild stretching to complete tears of the ligaments. Understanding this injury type is crucial, as sprains can significantly affect the stability and function of a joint, leading to pain, swelling, bruising, and impaired movement.

In contrast, a strain refers to the injuries affecting muscles or tendons, which connect muscles to bones. This distinction is important for proper diagnosis and treatment. Flail segment pertains to a specific type of injury where a segment of the rib cage is detached from the chest wall, commonly due to multiple rib fractures. Dislocation involves the bones in a joint being displaced from their normal position, which is different from the injury of ligaments specifically described in a sprain. Therefore, sprain is the correct term for this particular type of injury.