What term describes injuries to the ligaments around a joint?

The term that describes injuries to the ligaments around a joint is indeed sprains. A sprain occurs when ligaments, which are bands of connective tissue that connect bones at a joint, are stretched or torn. This can happen due to sudden twisting motions or impacts, leading to pain, swelling, and sometimes bruising around the affected area. Understanding the nature of a sprain is crucial in recognizing the difference between ligament injuries and other types of injuries, such as strains, which involve muscles or tendons.

Strains refer specifically to injuries of muscles or tendons rather than ligaments. Tendinitis is an inflammation of a tendon, typically caused by overuse, which also does not involve ligament injury. The acronym ACL refers to the anterior cruciate ligament, a specific ligament in the knee that can be sprained or torn, but it does not encompass all ligament injuries. Thus, the correct term for injuries to ligaments around a joint is sprains.