tattoos

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Sprains - Measures for Self-Care



A sprain is an injury that causes a stretch or a tear in a ligament. Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that connect bones at the joint. Sprains may be classified as mild, moderate, or severe.

Measures for Self-Care:
The general rule for treating sprains is R-I-C-E:
  • R for rest. Rest the joint! Avoid activities that cause pain. If you have an ankle sprain or knee sprain you may need crutches.
  • I for ice. Apply ice and cool the injury to avoid swelling and every 3 to 4 hours. Do this for 2 to 3 days or until the swelling goes away. The ice will help to numb the pain.
  • C for compression. Tie an elastic crepe bandage around the injured joint to reduce the swelling and inflammation.
  • E for elevation. The injured part should be elevated so that gravity helps the circulatory system to reduce the swelling.
  • You can also take pain-killers to reduce the pain.
Call Your Doctor For
  • Symptoms of a severe sprain.
  • If a mild sprain persists longer than 2 weeks.
  • Pain, swelling or bruising worsens despite treatment.
Get Immediate Care for
 Inability to move the limb or joint.

No comments:

Post a Comment

 

blogger templates | Blogger