![]() ![]() The main symptoms of a sprain include swelling, bruising, pain in the joint and, in more severe cases, the inability to move the joint. When the joint is forced out of its normal position and that ligament gets torn or stretched, that’s a sprain. heat argument! What Is A Sprain?Ī sprain is an injury to a ligament, the tissue that connects two or more bones to a joint. And yes, we’ve got a pretty definitive answer to the ice vs. But sometimes we need a fact-based, medical refresher on how to properly treat a sprain. Sprain injuries are like common colds: we all get them, and we all have an opinion on how to take care of them. Treating Sprains: See Your Doctor And Take It Easy.How Long Does Recovery From A Sprain Take And What Does It Involve?.Avoiding applying both ice and compression to your injury while sleeping. Rest, ice, compression and elevation should be started as soon as possible after the injury.ĭo not apply ice while you sleep. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression and elevation. Ice reduces swelling and inflammation, which helps healing. Ice does not help to reduce the swelling. Avoid things that increase swelling, like activity and applying heat too early.In all but mild cases, have your healthcare provider check the injury.Start RICE as soon as you can after the injury.(Pause in voice over) In another surgery, called reconstruction, the surgeon repairs the damaged ligaments. For this surgery, a surgeon uses a small camera and special tools to look inside the joint for any problems that may keep your ankle from healing properly. It’s usually only an option when the ankle doesn’t get better and is still unstable after months of medical treatment. A compression wrap, splint, or brace may be used to limit your ankle’s motion and protect the ankle from further injury during functional rehabilitation.ĭepending on how severe your sprain is, you may have to change your daily activities, do special exercises, or get physical therapy. This can be done with range of motion exercises, for example. This means allowing the ankle to move, but not too far. Prescription medicine may be needed for severe sprains and pain.Īnother important part of early treatment is called functional rehabilitation. Some familiar NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium. To help reduce pain and inflammation over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, also known as NSAIDs, can be used. ![]() You may need to lie down and prop up your leg to do this. Don’t use compression while you’re sleeping.Įlevation means raising the ankle above the level of your heart. ![]() It can cause more swelling and slow your recovery.Ĭompression means using a pressure bandage or air splint to help prevent or reduce swelling. Cover the injured area with an ice pack wrapped in a thin towel for up to, but not longer than 20 minutes, four to eight times a day, unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise.ĭon’t use heat if your ankle is swollen. The cold reduces swelling and inflammation, which can help relieve pain and speed healing. You may need to use crutches.Īpply ice to the area as soon as you can. Rest the joint for the first 2 or 3 days by limiting the amount of walking on the joint. TreatmentĪs soon as possible after the injury, start the treatment plan known as RICE - this stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Magnetic resonance imaging, known as M-R-I, may be done if your healthcare provider thinks you have a very severe injury, such as a small bone chip, or other problems. You may need an X-ray to make sure you didn’t break a bone. If you think you have a sprain, call your healthcare provider. In a mild sprain, the ligament is stretched but not torn. In a moderate sprain, the ligament is partly torn. If a sprain is severe, the ligaments tear completely. This can cause one or more of the ligaments that hold the bones of the joint together to stretch or tear. Ankle sprains happen when the joint is forced beyond its normal range of motion. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |