While these two terms are often used interchangeably and result in a similar type of pain and discomfort, sprains and strains don’t actually refer to the same type of injury. A sprain is what occurs when a ligament (the fibrous band connecting two or more bones at a joint) is stretched or torn. In contrast, a strain refers to a pull, stretch, or tear that occurs where the muscle connects to a bone. It can be hard to know whether your injury is a strain or a sprain, as they often feel similar. But an x-ray or other prescribed test or examination will be able to help you identify which one you’re experiencing.