- Control Swelling With RICE Therapy. Rest the sprained or strained area. If necessary, use a sling for an arm injury or crutches for a leg or foot injury.
- Manage Pain and Inflammation. Give an over-the-counter NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) like ibuprofen ( Advil, Motrin ), acetaminophen ( Tylenol ), or aspirin.
- See a Doctor. All but the most minor strains and sprains should be evaluated by a doctor. There is a "popping" sound with the injury.
- Follow Up. Continue RICE for 24 to 48 hours, or until the person sees a doctor. ...
What are the symptoms of a bad sprain?
You should see a doctor if you:
- Can't move or bear weight on the affected joint
- Have pain directly over the bones of an injured joint
- Have numbness in any part of the injured area
How do you treat a sprain?
What is the first aid for sprain?
- Rest the injured limb. Your doctor may recommend not putting any weight on the injured area for 48 to 72 hours, so you may need to use crutches.
- Ice the area.
- Compress the area with an elastic wrap or bandage.
- Elevate the injured limb above your heart whenever possible to help prevent or limit swelling.
How to heal a sprain?
- Remove tripping hazards. Tape down area rugs and make sure carpet is not fraying.
- Put things away. Reduce obstacles by placing items back where they belong.
- Install nightlights. Add light to hallways and bathrooms so you can see where you are heading in the middle of the night.
- Wear proper footwear. ...
- Watch your step. ...
How to treat a sprain during first aid?
RICE stands for:
- Rest the sprained or strained area. If necessary, use a sling for an arm injury or crutches for a leg or foot injury. ...
- Ice for 20 minutes every hour. ...
- Compress by wrapping an elastic (Ace) bandage or sleeve lightly (not tightly) around the joint or limb. ...
- Elevate the area above heart level if possible.
What is the best treatment for sprains or strains?
approach — rest, ice, compression, elevation:Rest. Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort. ... Ice. Even if you're seeking medical help, ice the area immediately. ... Compression. To help stop swelling, compress the area with an elastic bandage until the swelling stops. ... Elevation.
What is the most common treatment for sprain and strain?
The main treatment (first aid) for all sprains and strains is RICE: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Home remedies may include over-the-counter pain relievers. Physical therapy or massage may also be prescribed.
What is the treatment for strain?
Rest the strained muscle and apply ice for the first few days after the injury. Anti-inflammatory medicines or acetaminophen (Tylenol) also help reduce pain and swelling. As the pain decreases, you can use heat on the muscle. Stretching and light exercises to bring blood to the injured area can also be useful.
What are the 4 steps for treatment of strains and sprains?
Follow the RICE management plan: Rest the patient and the injury. Apply an icepack (cold compress) wrapped in a wet cloth to the injury for 15 minutes every 2 hours for 24 hours and then for 15 minutes every 4 hours for 24 hours. Apply a compression elastic bandage firmly to the injury that extends well beyond the ...
What is the first aid treatment for a sprain?
AdvertisementRest the injured limb. Your doctor may recommend not putting any weight on the injured area for 48 to 72 hours, so you may need to use crutches. ... Ice the area. ... Compress the area with an elastic wrap or bandage. ... Elevate the injured limb above your heart whenever possible to help prevent or limit swelling.
How do you treat a sprained leg?
Sprained Ankle Treatment Ice is probably the best treatment. Put it on your ankle to lower blood flow and help with swelling, redness, and warmth. It can prevent inflammation if you do it quickly after an injury. Compression can keep down swelling.
How do doctors treat a sprain?
Immobilization And Surgery More severe sprains and strains, such as ligament tears, may require total immobilization. In such cases, your doctor may put the injured area in a cast to prevent any movement. Rare cases require surgery.
How do you first treat a sprained ankle?
Rest the ankle (use crutches if needed) Ice the ankle for 20 to 30 minutes every 2 to 3 hours for the first 2 days. Compress (wrap) the ankle lightly -- not tightly -- with an elastic bandage or ankle brace. For the first 48 hours, elevate (raise) the ankle higher than your heart whenever you're lying down.
Which of the following home treatment is appropriate for sprain?
Ice: Apply cold to the ankle several times a day to help reduce pain and swelling. Compression: Apply a static or elastic compression bandage to help limit swelling. Elevation: Reduce the flow of blood and other fluids to the injury site by elevating the ankle above the heart.
What is the treatment for a sprain?
Initial treatment for a sprain or strain includes R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). Other treatment options may include: Physical therapy (to stretch and strengthen the injured muscles, ligaments, and tendons)
How to determine if a sprain is a sprain?
Specific treatment for a sprain or strain will be determined by your physician based on: 1 Your age, overall health, and medical history 2 Extent of the injury 3 Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies 4 Expectations for the course of the injury 5 Your opinion or preference
What to do if you have a torn ligament?
Surgery (especially if the injury is reoccurring or if a muscle, tendon, or ligament is badly torn) Be sure to consult your physician if there is a prolonged, visible deformity of the affected area, or if severe pain prevents use of arm, leg, wrist, ankle, or knee.
Can a sprain heal quickly?
Contusions, sprains, or strains may heal quite quickly, depending on one's age. It is important that the patient adhere to the activity restrictions and/or stretching and strengthening rehabilitation programs to prevent re-injury. Most sports injuries are due to either traumatic injury or overuse of muscles or joints.
What to do if you have a broken bone?
The doctor may need to immobilize the limb or joint with a splint, cast, or other device until healing is complete. Physical therapy can often be helpful to bring an injured joint back to normal.
How to treat a swollen limb?
Ice for 20 minutes every hour. Never put ice directly against the skin or it may damage the skin. Use a thin towel for protection. Compress by wrapping an elastic (Ace) bandage or sleeve lightly (not tightly) around the joint or limb.
What is the best medication for pain and inflammation?
Manage Pain and Inflammation. Give an over-the-counter NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) like ibuprofen ( Advil, Motrin ), acetaminophen ( Tylenol ), or aspirin. Do not give aspirin to anyone under age 19. 3.
How to treat swelling in finger?
Follow Up. 1. Control Swelling With RICE Therapy. RICE stands for: Rest the sprained or strained area. If necessary, use a sling for an arm injury or crutches for a leg or foot injury. Splint an injured finger or toe by taping it to an adjacent finger or toe. Ice for 20 minutes every hour.
What is the best treatment for a sprained limb?
Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) can be helpful for pain relief during this time period. A physical therapist can help you to maximize stability and strength of the injured joint or limb. Your doctor may suggest that you immobilize the area with a brace or splint.
What to look for in a physical exam for a ruptured tendon?
Diagnosis. During the physical exam, your doctor will check for swelling and points of tenderness. The location and intensity of your pain can help determine the extent and nature of the damage. In more severe injuries, where the muscle or tendon has been completely ruptured, your doctor may be able to see or feel a defect in the area of injury.
How to wrap a swollen heart?
Begin wrapping at the end farthest from your heart. Loosen the wrap if the pain increases, the area becomes numb or swelling is occurring below the wrapped area. Elevation. Elevate the injured area above the level of your heart, especially at night, which allows gravity to help reduce swelling.
What is the cure method for sprains?
Treatment of sprains and strains is often accomplished with the " RICE " method. If you are unsure of the severity of your sprain or strain, talk to your doctor before beginning any treatment or rehab. The following is an explanation of the RICE method of treatment for sprains and strains: Rest:
How to treat a sprain in the body?
Use the frozen cube like an ice cream cone, peeling away the paper as the ice melts. Do NOT ice a sprain or strain for more than 20 minutes at a time!! You will not be helping heal the injury any faster, and you can cause damage to the body. Use compression when elevating a sprain or strain in early treatment.
How to tell if you have a sprain or strain?
The most common symptoms of a sprain or strain include: 1 Pain at the location of the injury 2 Swelling and bruising of the injured area 3 Difficulty bending an injured joint 4 Spasm of an injured muscle
What causes a sprain?
Causes of Sprains and Strains. A sprain is caused by a ligament being stretched too far. Ligaments are very strong and can allow a joint to move, but they do not have much elasticity. That means that when the ligament is stretched too far, tears can occur. A ligament tear can be partial or complete.
What is a sprain in 2021?
Updated on July 06, 2021. A sprain is an injury to a ligament. A ligament is a thick, tough, fibrous tissue that connects bones together. Commonly injured ligaments are in the ankle, knee, and wrist. The ligaments can be injured by being stretched too far from their normal position.
What is a grade 3 ligament tear?
A ligament tear can be partial or complete. Typically, physicians will indicate the severity of the injury by grading the ligament damage. Grade 1 and grade 2 injuries are usually partial injuries to the ligament, whereas a grade 3 injury is often a complete tear. 1. Strains are injuries to muscles or the tendons that attach ...
How long after a sprain can you rest?
The following is an explanation of the RICE method of treatment for sprains and strains: Rest: The first 24-48 hours after the injury is considered a critical treatment period and activities need to be curtailed. Gradually use the injured extremity as much as tolerated, by try to avoid any activities that cause pain.
What is the most common treatment for muscle strains?
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), the most common and effective treatment for muscle strains is the RICE method . The individual letters of RICE stand for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. In particular, RICE involves the following:
What is the best way to treat muscle strain?
Properly treating muscle strain requires the right supplies and a comfortable place to rest. You may need the following supplies: Depending on the muscle affected, you may need assistive devices to help stabilize the muscle, especially if it affects one of the limbs. These can include:
How to prevent muscle strains from recurring?
There are several ways you can prevent a muscle strain from recurring, including: allowing for proper time to heal from an injury. stretching your muscles daily. cross-training for sports by weightlifting or choosing another activity to strengthen your muscles. warming up before exercise or intense activity.
What is a muscle strain?
A muscle strain, or pulled muscle, occurs when your muscle is overstretched or torn. This can be minor and like soreness after an intense workout, or it can be so severe that it needs surgical repair. Muscle strains are a very common injury. Most people who participate in sports have experienced it at some point in their lives.
How to reduce swelling in a muscle?
Compress your muscle by applying a steady, gentle pressure on it. This prevents swelling and inflammation, which delay healing. Wrapping an elastic bandage around the affected muscle is best. Elevate the injury above your heart to reduce swelling. Use pillows or other devices to raise an affected limb while you rest.
How to heal a strained muscle?
This can help strained muscles and other injuries. Ice your muscle by using cold packs with a barrier between them and your skin four to eight times per day for 20 minutes at a time.
What is the best treatment for a torn muscle?
Anti-inflammatory pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil) or aspirin can help reduce swelling and pain. Physical therapy may also be needed. Surgery is the typical treatment for torn or ruptured muscles. You and your doctor will discuss all surgical or nonsurgical options available to repair your muscle.
How to prevent a sprain from a sprain?
Working out or playing sports on cold muscles isn’t good for your joints. Warm up, stretch, and give your joints time to prepare for physical activity. Exercise regularly.
How long does it take for a sprain to heal?
For mild strains or sprains, most people can return to limited activities in two to three days. If it’s a moderate injury, you may need a week. Even when you feel up to activities again, take extra precaution to protect the joint. You might want to tape the joint or support it with a brace for a bit until the tissue has had time to heal.
What is a sprain in the ankle?
A joint sprain is the overstretching or tearing of ligaments. Ligaments are the bands of tissue that connect two bones together in a joint. The most common location for a sprain is the ankle joint.
How do you know if you have a sprain or strain?
It’s no wonder the two conditions are frequently confused. Common symptoms of sprains. Common symptoms of strains. • bruising.
What are some things that can cause a sprain?
These include: athletic activities or exercise, including running or jogging. accidents, such as falling or slipping. lifting heavy objects.
How to get rid of a swollen thigh?
Wear shoes with good tread and don’t rush your steps. Take breaks. Sitting or standing for too long or doing repetitive motions can put strain on your muscles. Take regular breaks, stretch, and try to give your muscles a break when you can.
How to reduce swelling in a swollen knee?
Compression: Compression will help reduce the swelling. Wrap the affected joint in a bandage or trainer’s tape. Do not wrap too tightly, however, or you can reduce the blood supply. Elevation: Try to keep the affected joint elevated above the level of your heart.
What to do if you have a sprain and a strain?
Understanding the difference between a sprain and a strain can ensure that you have the correct diagnosis for your condition.
How to keep a ligament sprain from hurting?
Gentle range of motion exercises are usually started a few days after a sprain injury. Slowly moving your affected joint passively and actively can help keep things moving while they are healing. You may be required to wear a brace during the initial phases of healing for a ligament sprain.
Why does my hamstring hurt after a hamstring strain?
Overstretching a muscle that has suffered an acute strain may also cause pain. Stretching your hamstrings in the days following a hamstring muscle strain will likely be painful, indicating that your muscle is strained. Ligament sprains are caused by a forceful movement to your body that places stress on a ligament.
What causes a ligament to tear?
Ligament sprains are caused by a forceful movement to your body that places stress on a ligament. If you twist your ankle, for example, the ligaments on the outer part of your ankle joint may become overstretched. They might even tear. This overstretching or tearing is a ligament sprain.
What is a muscle strain?
Muscle Strains. Strains are injuries that affect muscles or tendons, the thick bands that attach muscles to bones. They occur in response to a quick tear, twist, or pull of the muscle. Strains are an acute type of injury that results from overstretching or over contraction. Pain, weakness, and muscle spasms are common symptoms experienced ...
How long does it take for a muscle strain to heal?
Muscle strains typically heal completely in about six to eight weeks. Severe strains may take longer, and minor strains may be healed in just a few weeks. Again, follow the advice of your doctor or physical therapist to be sure you do the right treatment for your muscle strain.
How to tell if a muscle strain is a muscle strain?
Muscle strains are usually diagnosed by your doctor or physical therapist. Two characteristics of muscle stains found during an examination include: The muscle hurts when you contract it. The muscle hurts when you stretch it. Examination of your injury may also reveal tenderness to palpation, bruising, and swelling.
