Page 162 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

160 FIRST AID

Sprains and strains

Sprains and strains are common sports injuries. In a sprain, the ligaments around a joint, such as the ankle,
are damaged by overstretching. This is often due to a sudden, unexpected wrenching motion that pulls
bones too far apart and tears surrounding tissues. In a strain, the muscles or tendons are overstretched and
may be partially torn. The symptoms are much the same for both: there will be pain, swelling, and bruising
in the injured limb, and it may feel hot and be difficult to move. Sprains and strains are treated in a similar
way and normally improve after a few days, but full recovery may take several weeks.

Seek medical advice
PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE
Arrange to see a doctor if:
R.I.C.E. procedure
● You have severe pain, or hear a "pop" at the
The mnemonic R.I.C.E. stands for Rest, Ice,
time of the injury
Compression, and Elevation, all of which help
● You can't put weight on a joint or the injured
to speed recovery after a sprain or strain.
area looks deformed
● You are concerned about the seriousness Rest the injured limb. Avoid any activity that
of an injury brings on the pain or makes it worse. Sit or
1 lie with the limb in a comfortable position.
Ice reduces pain and
What you can do yourself swelling. Apply an ice
2 pack (a bag of frozen
You can treat a minor sprain or strain using the peas or crushed ice,
following measures. Start the treatment as soon wrapped in a dry
as possible to reduce symptoms and speed recovery. towel or cloth), or a
cloth soaked in cold
● Follow the R.I.C.E. procedure (see PRACTICAL
water and wrung out,
TECHNIQUE, right). as soon as possible.
● Take acetaminophen (see p.177) to relieve pain Hold for 10 minutes.
or ibuprofen (see p.185), which also has an
anti-inflammatory effect. You can use analgesics
Compression involves
to treat yourself, but you should not administer applying firm, gentle
medication if you are treating someone else. 3 pressure. Put padding
on the area and
● Keep an elastic bandage or tubular bandage on
secure it with an
the limb for the first 48 hours, taking it off at night. elastic bandage. Check
Once the bandage is removed, you can start that blood flow is not
moving the limb gently to the limit of pain-free restricted: press a nail
movement. If there is no reduction in pain and or skin beyond the
swelling after 2–3 days, seek medical advice. bandage until it turns
pale, then let it go.
The color should Apply bandage
return promptly. firmly and evenly

Elevation reduces blood flow to the area and
minimizes bruising. Raise the injured limb on
4 a stool or cushions. Try not to use the limb
for the first few hours after injury.