The main treatment (first aid) for all sprains and strains is RICE: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. A more severe sprain or strain may require evaluation by a doctor. Joint or extremity splitting or immobilization may be needed. Some severe sprains and strains may require surgery.
Full Answer
What are the treatment options for a sprain or strain?
Perform neurovascular checks; report any changes in color, sensation, pulses, or temperature. Apply an elastic bandage, air case, splint, or brace as appropriate; inspect the skin, and provide skin care to the area under and surrounding the device to prevent irritation and breakdown.
What is a a sprain?
Treatment for both- You should practice RICE (rest ice compress elevate) and use NSAIDS to get rid of the pain- these include ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetinamophen. Prevention Warm up properly, Work out proportionally, Stretch, Practice good posture and use correct technique when lifting heavy weights.
How is a severe sprain or strain diagnosed?
Treatment for mild sprain RICE, strengthening and proprioception training. Takes 1-2 weeks to heal. Treatment for moderate/severe sprain Ice, Elevation, Immobilization (walking boot, aircast, lace up ankle brace). Can take 4 week recovery; do …
What are the risk factors for a sprain?
inadequate warm up, inflexible, fatigue, overuse, imbalance, previous strain, biomechanics. Grade 1 muscle strain: minor stretch and tear, minimal strength loss and person can continue. Grade 2 muscle strain: tear is variable, snapping sensation, difficult to continue. Grade 3 strain: complete rupture or avulsion, snapping, person cant continue.
Which is the proper treatment for strains and sprains?
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 immediate treatment of a sprain or strain quizlet?
Initial treatment includes rest, ice, compression and elevation.Sep 25, 2020
What is strain quizlet?
Strain—acute or chronic injury to a muscle or tendinous attachment caused by stress, overuse, or over stretching. Classified as mild, moderate, or severe (see Classifying sprains and strains)
What is the most common cause of sprains and strains?
The most common causes of sprains are falling, twisting, or experiencing trauma to the joint. These types of injuries may cause the joint to move out of its normal range of movement, tearing or stretching the ligament as this happens.
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 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 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 control swelling in finger?
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 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.
How quickly do contusions heal?
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.
How long does it take to recover from a sprain?
Recovery from sprains can take days to months. A physical therapist can help you to maximize stability and strength of the injured joint or limb.
How to treat a sprained ankle?
For immediate self-care of a sprain, try the R.I.C.E. approach — rest, ice, compression, elevation: 1 Rest. Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort. But don't avoid all physical activity. 2 Ice. Even if you're seeking medical help, ice the area immediately. Use an ice pack or slush bath of ice and water for 15 to 20 minutes each time and repeat every two to three hours while you're awake for the first few days after the injury. 3 Compression. To help stop swelling, compress the area with an elastic bandage until the swelling stops. Don't wrap it too tightly or you may hinder circulation. 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. 4 Elevation. Elevate the injured area above the level of your heart, especially at night, which allows gravity to help reduce swelling.
What does a physical exam show?
During the physical exam, your doctor will check for swelling and points of tenderness in your affected limb. The location and intensity of your pain can help determine the extent and nature of the damage. X-rays can help rule out a fracture or other bone injury as the source of the problem.
What is the best medicine for a swollen ear?
Over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) also can be helpful.
How to stop swelling in a swollen ear?
Use an ice pack or slush bath of ice and water for 15 to 20 minutes each time and repeat every two to three hours while you're awake for the first few days after the injury. Compression. To help stop swelling, compress the area with an elastic bandage until the swelling stops.
How to prevent sprains and strains?
Other ways to prevent sprains and strains include maintaining a healthy weight; avoiding falls by keeping walkways in and around your home clear of clutter and by using sand or salt on icy patches in the winter; and wearing protective equipment when a playing a sport that puts you at risk for a sprain or strain.
What does it mean when you have a sprain?
1. If you have a sprain, it means you've injured a ligament. You didn't answer this question. The injury can be an overstretching of one or more ligaments, a tear of one or more ligaments, or an overstretching and a tear. Ligaments are tough bands of tissue that hold two bones together.
How to tell if a muscle tear is severe?
The correct answer is. Other symptoms include pain and muscle weakness. At the site of the injury, there may be swelling, cramping or inflammation. A severe strain involving a muscle or tendon tear can be very painful and disabling.
Where is the hamstring muscle?
The correct answer is. Another common site is the hamstring muscle, at the back of the thigh. People who play contact sports such as soccer, football or hockey are at risk for strains. Hand and forearm strains are more common among people who play tennis, row or golf.
What is the most common injury in the U.S.?
You answered. The correct answer is. The most common site is the ankle. In fact, ankle sprains are the most common injury in the U.S. An ankle sprain most often occurs when the foot turns inward as a person runs, turns, falls, or lands on the ankle after a jump. This type of sprain is called an inversion injury.
How long should you use ice pack after a sprain?
Put an ice pack on it. Wrap the ice pack in a thin towel. Use the ice pack 4 to 8 times a day for 20 minutes each time. Wrap the joint with a compression bandage.
Can a sprain cause pain?
The correct answer is. This doesn't happen in all cases. Usual symptoms of a sprain include pain, swelling, and bruising at the joint. You may not be able to move the joint or it may be very painful to move it. The symptoms vary in intensity, depending on the severity of the sprain.