Physicians call broken bones fractures.
Fractures result whenever a bone is hit by enough force to make it break, creating either a small crack or, in a serious fracture, a complete break. Dislocations occur when the bone has slipped out of its normal position in a joint where two bones meet. Sprains occur when the ligaments in a joint are damaged. For example, a sudden twisting of the knee or elbow causes this type of injury, which ranges from over-stretching and small tears to a complete parting of a ligament. Overworking or overextending muscles , doing heavy exercise during cold weather, and even failing to drink enough fluids can lead to small tears that make using muscles painful.