Health-Related Issues -- Sprains & Strains

Symptoms

• swelling at injury site
• pain or tenderness in injured area
• bruising or discoloration
• decreased movement in injured joint

Treatment

• RICE therapy - rest, ice, compression, and elevation
• apply ice pack to area intermittently for 20 min. periods for the first 24-48 hrs.(wrap ice pack to prevent damage to skin)
• use an ace bandage to apply compression, don't apply too tightly
• elevate the injured extremity to decrease swelling
• take ibuprofen for relief of pain
• rest the involved area for 1-2 days, avoid any activity that causes pain

Get Advice For

• intolerable pain
• swelling or bruising increase
• inability to move joint
• numbness or tingling in extremity
• no improvement after several days