How to recognize a sprain and what to do with it

Ligaments are strips of strong connective tissue that anchors the bones in the joints (this is not the only task of the ligaments, but in this topic we will focus only on it). If, as a result of injury, the bones in the joint disperse or abruptly change the angle between each other, the ligaments may not withstand the load. Microbreaks are formed in them - this situation is called stretching Sprains - Symptoms and causes.

Most often, the ankle joint suffers from this damage - how this happens, Lifehacker wrote in detail here. But to "tuck" - for example, in case of a fall - can be the wrist, and the thumb, and the knee, and even the neck.

And here there is an important point. Safe, albeit painful, sprains are easily confused with more serious injuries. And such a mistake is fraught with extremely unpleasant consequences, including disability. Therefore, take the proposed stretch very carefully.

How to tell if you have a sprain

It is possible to assume that the ligaments of one or another joint have survived an excessive load and almost burst, according to the following signs.

You fell, stumbled, or unsuccessfully loaded your wrist or knee. In general, we just went through a trauma.
During the injury, a short, light crunch was heard or felt in the affected joint.
The affected joint is slightly swollen and sore.
It is difficult and unpleasant for you to bend the joint, but you can do it.

When to see a doctor as soon as possible

A mild sprain (it manifests itself with the symptoms described above) is treated at home. But the injury that caused it can be serious - the same dislocation of the joint, or even a fracture.

Contact an emergency room immediately or even call an ambulance if:

you are unable to move or place weight on the affected joint;
the affected area hurts a lot, and the discomfort increases when trying to move;
the pain is moderate, but the injured area is numb;
a large purple bruise appeared in the affected area (this is a sign of extensive bleeding) and noticeable swelling;
there is a visible deformation of the joint.

Self-medication in such situations is unacceptable. The same fracture sometimes damages important blood vessels and nerve endings. If you do not start treatment on time, you can permanently lose mobility in the joint. Don't risk it - go to the doctor.

How to treat a sprain

If there are no frightening signs from the previous point, we are most likely talking about a sprain. However, for reliability, in any case, it is worth looking at a traumatologist: let a specialist confirm your assumption.

The sprain does not need any specific treatment and usually resolves on its own within a few days.

To speed up the healing process of micro-fractures and alleviate the condition these days, doctors recommend the so-called RICE therapy. What Is the RICE Method for Injuries? … It includes four points.

R - Rest - rest. Rest the affected joint. Do not move or load it unnecessarily.
I - Ice - ice. Apply cold compresses to the affected area for 10-15 minutes. This can be an ice pack wrapped in a thin cloth or a heating pad filled with ice water. It is advisable to spend it twice a day - naturally, as long as you feel the need for it. Ice helps relieve pain and swelling.
C - Compress - compression. Put something tight over the affected joint, such as compression socks (for the ankle) or a wrist band. An elastic bandage will also work. Compression will help relieve swelling faster. Just do not overtighten the joint too much - you do not need to disrupt the blood flow.
E - Elevate - rise. Immediately after the injury, try to lie down for half an hour, raising the affected area above the level of the heart. This will also help relieve swelling and speed up recovery.

If the pain is severe, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever - the same ibuprofen or paracetamol.

After a couple of days, begin gently kneading the affected joint to restore its mobility. This is best done under the supervision of a physical therapist. The doctor will tell you the movements that are most effective in restoring your working capacity.

And be patient. Most often, the affected ligaments recover after a few days. But in some cases, rehabilitation can take months.