Many accidents happen without any warning to many people, whether they are an athlete or not. What I hope you will learn and take away from this lecture, would be some simple terms and understanding of different types of injuries that you might encounter, either to yourself or to someone else.
Stepping awkwardly off a curb or trip in high heel shoes and you can sprain your ankle. Lift a heavy load indirectly and you risk a strained back.
Sprains and strains occur frequently and usually are minor injuries.
Do you know how to treat a strain or a sprain for a speedy recovery and the least risk of reinjury or disability? Just remember, the treatment is important.
SPRAINS:
A sprain is a stretching or tearing of ligaments. Ligaments are tough bands of elastic-like tissue that attach to joints, preventing excessive movement.
Ankle sprains are most common and are notorious for their tendency to reoccur. A sprain may be mild, moderate or severe.
To treat a sprain correctly and conservatively means making a diagnosis and usually treating conservatively. This can be accomplished by either a type of splint or a cast. *Mild sprain - Fibers within ligaments are over-stretched or slightly torn. You may feel minor pain and tenderness with touch or movement. There is little or no swelling. You can usually put weight on the joint and x-rays are normal. *Moderate sprain - ligament fibers are torn but not completely ruptured. Pain and tenderness are moderate with some swelling and black and blue discoloration. It is difficult and painful to move your joint. *Severe sprain - one or more ligaments are completely torn, the affected area is painful, swollen and black and blue. You can’t move your joint normally or put your weight on it.
STRAINS:
A strain is a stretched or partially torn muscle. Strains often occur when muscles suddenly and powerfully contract.
Hamstrings frequently occur in athletes, such as sprinters who accelerate quickly, or running backs that make quick cutting movements. Back strain commonly cause back pain.
Factors contributing to strains include; poor conditioning, fatigue, weakness and improper warmup before the activity.
Strains may be mild, causing pain and discomfort when you try to move the injured muscle. More severe strains lead to pain, swelling, muscle spasm and brusising.
There are several self-help tips that I will now go over for treating a sprain or strain which depends on the severity of the injury. In the case of a sprain, see your doctor to rule out a fracture or injury to a joint. For immediate care of a sprain or a strain, try this approach to self-help; *protection - don’t “tough-out” the pain or continue your activity. It is wiser to rest (immobilization) the injured area. This ehlps prvent further injury.
Using elastic wrap, splint, sling, aircast, cane or crutches as recommended by your doctor or physical therapist. *Rest - avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort. *Ice - apply ice wrapped in a cloth or towel. Cover the ice pack with several layers of dry towels or blanket for insulation. Massage the area using ice frozen in a paper cup.
If you massage the area apply the ice in circular motions, keeping it moving at all times.
The first stage of an ice massage is a senation of cold. In a short time you may feel a burning sensation, followed by aching and then numbness. Usually it takes 5-7 minutes to reach the stage in which none of this occurs. If the area turns white or blue, stop treatment immediately. This could indicate frostbite.
Apply ice for no more than 20-minutes several times a day, but don’t apply heat.
If you have vasular disease or decreased sensation, see your doctor before applying ice. *Compression - carefully wrap the sprained joint or strained muscle with a supporting basdage until swelling subsides.
Lossen the wrap if pain increases bruising and helps prevent additional swelling. *Elavation - whenever possible, elevate the injury about the level of your heart. Elevation helps limit swelling.
Continue with the treatment as outlined above for as long as it helps in your recovery.
After the first two days, gently begin to use the injured area. You should see a gradual, progressive improvement in the joint’s ability to support your weight or movement without pain.
Mild and moderate sprains usually heal in a week or two weeks. If pain, swelling, instability persists, see your doctor.
Visit your doctor immediately if you have a severe sprain. Inadequate or delayed treatment of a severe sprain can cause chronic pain, swelling and giving way.
[ Home | Orthopedics | Mission/Vision Values | Physicians | Medical Links | Preventative Medicine | Arthritis Treatments | Contact Us ]