What to Do for Strains and Sprains?

As summertime approaches many children and adults tend to be outside more and involved in outdoor activities. While we do not intend on falling and hurting ourselves, there are times that we are just plain clumsy. I admit it, I have tripped over a puppie's toy and broke a foot, so I know that I was not as cautious as I should have been. Knowing the difference of minor injuries and how to treat them at home can be helpful.

A strain is an injury caused by over stretching a muscle. A sprain is an injury to the muscle and the ligaments, tendons, or soft tissue around a joint. Both cause pain and swelling. Unless a broken bone is obvious it may be difficult to tell the difference. If rapid swelling occurs after a fall, then it is ususally an indication of a more serious injury and those types of injuries need to be seen by a phsyician.

The best remedy for preventing injuries is to watch where you are walking. Avoid falling, don't climb stairs or try to go down a flight of stairs with both hands full. If you have to carry things upstairs or downstrairs and the object is heavy, do not hesitate to ask for assistance. If you exercise , do warm up exercises before you start. Cold stiff muscles and ligaments are more susceptable to injury.

You may have a severe sprain or broken bone if the following happens, seek medical attention as soon as possible:

The area surrounding the injury is visibly swollen, when I fell down the steps the ankle swelled up immediately to the size of a baseball. I knew I needed medical attention

the injured area is twisted or bent out of shape, again, this is what my ankle looked like

the injured are is black and blue,

the pain from the injury prevented normal use

Home treatment for both sprains and strains are basically the same. If you suffer from a fall and are injured you should rest the limb or injury, apply ice to the area, use compression to the area and elevate the area, prop your foot up on a pillow. Begin the rest, ice, compression and elevation immediately for most injuries. If you suspect a fracture, you can splint the area and seek medical assistance. If the sprain is is to a finger or part of the hand remove all rings as soon as possible, if your finger swells the ring may have to be cut off.

Rest, do not put weight on the injured area, if you have crutches at home use them to support the injury until you can get medical attention. an injured muscle, ligament or tendon tissue needs time to rest and heal. Use Ice to reduce pain and swelling and promote healing. Heat may feel nice but it may do more harm than good. Apply ice immediately to prevent swellin. Compression, wrap the injury with an Acew bandage or comprssion sleeve to immobolize and compress the sprain.Avoid wrapping the injury too tightly, a tightly wrapped sprain may fool you into thinking you can keep using the limb. With or without a wrap the injury needs one or two days of rest. Elevate the injured area on pillows while you apply ice and also keep your limb raised and elevated while sitting or lying down.

You can take aspirin or ibuprofren to help ease inflamation and pain until you can get to a doctor. Remember that prevention and awareness of your surrounding will help to prevent injuries, however they do happen so be prepared.