Treatment FAQ

which of the following would be a recommended initial treatment for a sprain?

by Dr. Halie Feil Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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A sprain is a stretching or tearing of ligaments — the tough bands of fibrous tissue that connect two bones together in your joints. The most common location for a sprain is in your ankle. Initial treatment includes rest, ice, compression and elevation. Mild sprains can be successfully treated at home.

Try to ice the area as soon as possible after the injury and continue to ice it for 15 to 20 minutes, four to eight times a day, for the first 48 hours or until swelling improves. If you use ice, be careful not to use it too long, as this could cause tissue damage. Compress the area with an elastic wrap or bandage.

Full Answer

How to heal a sprained foot fast?

Treatment options and prevention for a foot sprain

  • Rest, ice, elevation and compression (RICE) Immediately following the injury causing your foot sprain, your physician may recommend various treatments to reduce the swelling and prevent further injury.
  • Immobilization. Following the foot sprain, your physician may also recommend immobilizing the foot in a splint or boot.
  • Pain medications. ...
  • Surgery. ...

Why you should avoid ice for a sprained ankle?

What you should do and shouldn’t do for your ankle sprain

  • DO NOT…. If you get an external injury, you will not be rubbing on your wound, so do not do it for an internal injury!
  • YOU MAY…. While such adjunct management may be helpful in providing some support and easing off some pain, they should not be worn the entire day as they may restrict ...
  • DO…. ...
  • Take note! ...

What's the difference between an ankle strain and sprain?

• Strain is a stretch related injury of muscle while sprain is an injury of joints and ligaments. • Strains are common around back, hamstrings, and elbow while sprains are common in ankles, knees and wrists.

What is the normal recovery time for a sprained ankle?

What’s the best way to treat an ankle sprain?

  1. RICE The first step after an injury is to: rest reduce the swelling prevent further injury The American Academy of Orthopaeidic Surgeons (AAOS) recommends: R: rest the ankle ...
  2. Recovery In the first 2 weeks following an injury, Sandow says that there can be a quick decrease of pain and an improvement in your ankle’s movement and ...
  3. Rehabilitation

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What are two possible treatments for muscle sprain?

TreatmentRest. 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 difference between a sprain and a strain quizlet?

The difference between a sprain and a strain is that a sprain injures the bands of tissue that connect two bones together, while a strain involves an injury to a muscle or to the band of tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone.

How strain can be treated explain?

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.

Which term is used to describe muscle pain?

Myalgia (also called muscle pain and muscle ache in layman's terms) is the medical term for muscle pain. Myalgia is a symptom of many diseases. The most common cause of acute myalgia is the overuse of a muscle or group of muscles; another likely cause is viral infection, especially when there has been no trauma.

How should you treat a sprain?

TreatmentRest. 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.

Which is the proper treatment for strains and sprains?

Rest: Rest the injured part until it's less painful. Ice: Wrap an icepack or cold compress in a towel and place over the injured part immediately. Continue for no more than 20 minutes at a time, four to eight times a day. Compression: Support the injured part with an elastic compression bandage for at least 2 days.

What is the first aid of strain?

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 injury. Elevate the injured part.

What are nursing interventions for sprains?

Medical Management Treatment of strains and sprains consists of resting and elevating the affected part, applying cold and using a compression bandage. The acronym RICE – Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation is helpful for remembering treatment intervention. Rest prevents additional injury and promotes healing.

What is the treatment for muscle pain?

Rest and elevate the painful area. Alternate between ice packs to reduce inflammation and heat to improve blood flow. Soak in a warm bath with Epsom salts or take a warm shower. Take over-the-counter pain relievers (aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen).

Why does my body ache and feel cold and tired?

When chills are accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, body aches or fatigue, they're more likely associated with a systemic infection, such as flu or pneumonia. “Chills boost your body's core temperature when your immune system attempts to fight off infection,” Taroyan explains.

Why does my body ache and I feel tired and headache?

If you're suffering from fatigue and constant headaches, it may be time to see a doctor. Headache could be a sign of a migraine disorder, sleep disorder, dehydration, or several other chronic illnesses. Fatigue is a common symptom of many conditions including depression, sleep disorders, and fibromyalgia.

Why do I have body aches but no fever?

The most common cause of body aches without a fever include stress and sleep deprivation. If you have body aches without a fever, it could still be a sign of a viral infection like the flu. If your body aches are severe or last more than a few days, you should see your doctor.

What is worse a sprain or strain?

One is not technically worse than the other. Strains affect the tendons (an easy way to remember this is sTrains = tendons or muscles), and sprains affect the ligaments. Both tendons and ligaments are connective tissues, and both are measured by severity. You can have a mild sprain or a severe strain, or vice versa.

What is strain quizlet?

Strain is the measure of deformation that occcurs when a material or body is put under stress.

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 strain Wikipedia?

Strain (injury), an injury to a muscle (tear in tendon) in which the muscle fibers tear as a result of over-stretching. Strain (mechanics), a geometrical measure of deformation representing the relative displacement between particles in a material body.

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.

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.

How to write a medical list?

You may want to write a list that includes: 1 Detailed descriptions of your symptoms 2 Information about medical problems you've had 3 Information about the medical problems of your parents or siblings 4 All the medications and dietary supplements you take 5 Questions you want to ask the doctor

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.

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.

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.

How to heal a sprained ankle?

To help your sprained ankle heal, you’ll need to ease the pain and bring down the swelling. Make an appointment right away for any ankle sprain, mild or severe. Your doctor will examine you and let you know if something more serious is wrong with your ankle.

What to do if your ankle is swollen and painful?

If your ankle is painful and swollen, remove ankle bracelets or toe rings right away. Then try the “RICE” method to ease your symptoms. RICE stands for “rest, ice, compress, and elevate.” Here’s how it works:

What is the first step in a sprain?

Phase 1 includes resting, protecting the ankle and reducing the swelling. Phase 2 includes restoring range of motion, strength and flexibility. Phase 3 includes maintenance exercises and the gradual return to activities that do not require turning or twisting the ankle.

How long does a cast boot last for a grade 3 sprain?

Grade 3 sprains may require a short leg cast or cast-brace for 2 to 3 weeks. An air stirrup-type ankle brace. Reproduced from JF Sarwark, ed: Essentials of Musculoskeletal Care, ed 4.

How to tell if you have a sprained ankle?

Bruising and swelling are common signs of a sprained ankle. If there is severe tearing of the ligaments, you might also hear or feel a "pop" when the sprain occurs. Symptoms of a severe sprain are similar to those of a broken bone and require prompt medical evaluation.

What is ankle sprain?

An ankle sprain occurs when the strong ligaments that support the ankle stretch beyond their limits and tear. Ankle sprains are common injuries that occur among people of all ages. They range from mild to severe, depending upon how much damage there is to the ligaments. Most sprains are minor injuries that heal with home treatments like rest ...

What is the ligament in the ankle?

Ligaments are strong, fibrous tissues that connect bones to other bones. The ligaments in the ankle help to keep the bones in proper position and stabilize the joint. Most sprained ankles occur in the lateral ligaments on the outside of the ankle.

Why do you need an MRI for ankle pain?

Stress x-rays help to show whether the ankle is moving abnormally because of injured ligaments. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Your doctor may order an MRI if he or she suspects a very severe injury to the ligaments, damage to the cartilage or bone of the joint surface, a small bone chip, or another problem.

Why do doctors order x-rays?

X-rays provide images of dense structures, such as bone. Your doctor may order x-rays to rule out a broken bone in your ankle or foot. A broken bone can cause similar symptoms of pain and swelling. Stress x-rays. In addition to plain x-rays, your doctor may also order stress x-rays.

How long does it take to recover from a lumbar sprain?

More than 90% of patients completely recover from an episode of lumbar muscle strain or sprain within one month. Heat and ice treatment are recommended on an as-needed basis at home to treat sudden flare-ups of low back pain, along with anti-inflammatory medications.

How to get a stable spine?

Do core strengthening exercises to provide more spine stability in the long-term. Swimming, stationary bicycling and brisk walking are good aerobic exercises that generally do not put extra stress on the back. Use correct lifting and moving techniques, such as squatting to lift a heavy object. Do not bend and lift.

What is a lumbar strain?

Lumbar muscle strain is caused when muscle fibers are abnormally stretched or torn. Lumbar sprain is caused when ligaments (the tough bands of tissue that hold bones together) are torn from their attachments. Both of these can result from a sudden injury or from gradual overuse. Lumbar strain or sprain can be debilitating.

How to help back pain?

Staying active and avoiding bed rest is recommended when experiencing back pain. Bed rest can lead to a loss of muscle strength and may increase muscle stiffness, adding to pain and discomfort. Sprain and strain is commonly treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, if the pain is mild to moderate.

What is the best treatment for low back pain?

Therapy may include pelvic traction, gentle massage, ice and heat therapy, ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation and stretching exercises.

What is the purpose of X-rays?

X-ray: An x-ray produces a picture of a part of the body, and can show the structure of the vertebrae and the outline of the joints. X-rays of the spine are used to search for other potential causes of pain, i.e. infections, fractures, etc.

Can low back strain be chronic?

However, low back strain may develop into a chronic condition unless efforts are made to change habits that contribute to the problem. Low Back Strain Image from Ehealth Star. The following tips may be helpful in preventing low back pain associated with strain and sprain:

What does grade 2 mean in a sprain?

Grade 2. With a grade 2 LCL sprain, you will have significant tenderness on the outside of your knee, over the lateral ligament. You will likely have some swelling. A varus stress test will indicate pain and some laxity in your joint, although there is a definite endpoint indicating the ligament is still intact.

What is grade 3 sprain surgery?

Surgery. In grade 3 sprains, particularly when other structures such as an ACL tear or PCL tear are damaged, surgery may be needed to prevent future instability. This may involve suturing or stitching the torn ends of the LCL or reconstructing the ligament with a part of a tendon e.g. hamstrings tendon.

What is grade 3 lateral ligament sprain?

A grade 3 lateral ligament sprain is a complete tear of the ligament. Pain can vary and may be actually less than a grade 2 sprain. When stressing the knee there is significant joint laxity and you may have a very unstable knee.

What are the symptoms of a lateral collateral ligament sprain?

Symptoms of an LCL sprain. The main symptoms of a lateral collateral ligament sprain (LCL sprain) is pain on the outside of the knee. Pain can vary from being very mild to a complete rupture of the ligament. You may have swelling over the outside of the joint. Lateral ligament sprains are categorized into grade 1, grade 2 or grade 3 sprains, ...

How to tell if you have a LCL sprain?

Symptoms of an LCL sprain 1 The main symptoms of a lateral collateral ligament sprain (LCL sprain) is pain on the outside of the knee. 2 Pain can vary from being very mild to a complete rupture of the ligament. 3 You may have swelling over the outside of the joint.

What is the most common injury to the LCL?

The LCL is most commonly injured in sports by a direct impact to the inner surface of the knee joint, such as by a rugby or a football tackle. A lateral ligament sprain is less common than those affecting the medial collateral ligament which commonly occurs as a result of trauma to the outside of the knee. The ligament is not connected ...

How to heal lateral ligament injury?

Sports massage . Sports massage may help the healing of a lateral ligament injury when applied directly to the ligament in the form of cross friction massage. This may help to reduce scar tissue formation and re-align the new healing fibers with the ligament.

What is the AC Joint?

The AC Joint, formally known as the Acromioclavicular Joint, is a synovial joint located near the top of the shoulder. In the medical field, most joints are named by the bones that articulate at that particular joint.

What is an AC Joint Sprain?

AC Joint sprains occur when there is a sudden force applied through the AC Joint ligaments and joint capsule that cause excessive stretching and damage to these connective tissues. Similar to most other ligamentous sprains in the body, there are different grades of severity.

Common Causes of AC Joint Sprains

AC Joint sprains typically require some form of blunt force trauma applied to the arm or shoulder.

Treatment Options

Treatment options for AC Joint sprains will typically depend on the severity (grade) of the injury.

How Long Does it Take for an AC Joint Sprain to Heal?

Ligamentous healing can vary from 4 weeks for mild sprains all the way up to several months for more severe grade 3 sprains. AC Joint sprains, in particular, can be quite frustrating because they can significantly limit someone’s daily activities that involve reaching, carrying, and lifting objects.

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