Sprain treatment

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About Sprain

A sprain is an injury that occurs when a ligament - the bands of tissue that connect bones in a joint - is overstretched or torn. A sprain is different than a strain, which is damage to a muscle or the tissue that connects muscle to bone. Sprains commonly occur during physical activity, such as sports or intense exercise.

The areas most commonly affected by sprains are:

  • Ankles
  • Knees
  • Wrists
  • Thumbs

Sprains are caused by intense stress on a joint; for instance, landing awkwardly on your ankle after jumping, or overextending your wrist by putting weight on it as you fall. Many people experience a “pop” sound as a ligament tears.

The common symptoms of a sprain include:

  • Pain in the affected area
  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Limited mobility

Sprains can vary in severity, depending on the cause of the injury. While many cases of mild sprains can be treated at home, severe sprains can leave you unable to walk or move the injured area of your body. In these instances, medical attention is recommended as soon as possible to begin treatment.

Talk to a doctor if you:

  • Are unable to move the injured joint
  • Are unable to put weight on the injured joint
  • Experience numbness in the affected area

Most sprains take several weeks to recover. During that time, you must avoid strenuous activity that puts any pressure on the affected joint. Untreated sprains can cause chronic pain or injuries such as fractures as a result of weakness and lack of mobility. Rest is the best treatment for a sports injury such as a sprain.

Rest is the most critical aspect of sprain treatment. Help yourself recover by avoiding strenuous activity that involves the affected area. Below are common treatment options for sprains. During your appointment, talk to your provider about the treatment plan that’s right for you.

Sprains are generally treated with self-care methods and over-the-counter pain medication. As you recover, be sure to avoid strenuous activities that put pressure on the affected joint until you have clearance from your doctor. If you start activity too soon after your injury, you risk re-injuring the healing ligament. While recovering, the best method of treatment to encourage healing is the RICE strategy:

- Rest: You do not have to avoid all physical activity, but stay clear of motions and exercises that put stress on the affected joint. This helps the ligament heal.

- Ice: It is recommended that you apply ice to a sprain immediately after the injury occurs. This helps encourage blood flow and reduces inflammation. Apply an ice pack to the injury for 15-30 minutes, 3-4 times a day. Wrap ice or ice pack in a clean towel to prevent the pack from damaging exposed skin.

- Compression: Compression helps encourage blood flow and reduces swelling. Wrap the injured area in an elastic bandage, starting at the end of the body that is farthest from the heart. Do not wrap the injury too tightly, or you will restrict blood flow to the area. Keep the injury wrapped until the swelling subsides.

- Elevation: Elevating the area above the heart can help reduce inflammation and encourage healing. It is especially important that you do this while sleeping.

Other forms of treatment include:

- OTC pain relievers: To relieve pain and reduce inflammation, take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).

- Stretching: As pain and swelling begin to subside, you can start to gradually and gently stretch the injured joint to regain mobility. If you feel any intense pain, stop stretching right away as this can further damage the ligament.

While recovering from an injury, you can work with a physical therapist to create a routine that will restore strength and mobility to the damaged joint. If you experience sharp or severe pain at any point during physical therapy, inform your PT right away. While physical therapy can result in some soreness, it should never cause serious pain. If this occurs, talk to your PT about alternate stretches and exercises that won’t cause discomfort.

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