Caring for a Sprain

A sprain is a tear in a ligament that happens when it's stretched too hard. Ligaments are the tough bands of tissue that hold your bones together.

A sprain can cause pain and swelling. Most sprains heal in 1 to 2 weeks with home treatment.

Treatment

A sprain can be treated with a sling, elastic bandage, splint, or cast. A splint or cast can help prevent more damage and reduce pain by keeping the ligament from moving.

A splint is often used as the first treatment. You may get a splint, and then see a specialist for a cast if you have a severe sprain. A splint may be all that you need. Or you may only need a sling for 1 to 3 weeks for comfort.

Caring for a splint or cast

If you have a splint or cast, follow these care guidelines:

• Keep the splint or cast dry.
• Don't put any weight on a splint or cast unless you're told you can.
• Never put anything sharp inside your splint or cast to scratch an itch.
• Don't remove padding or change any part of your splint or cast.
• Don't remove the splint until your healthcare provider says you can.
• If your toes or fingers turn blue or tingle, call your healthcare provider or go to the emergency room.

Caring for a sling or elastic bandage

A sling is used only for comfort. Once the pain has gone, you may no longer need it. Use it as long as your healthcare provider tells you to. You can remove it when sleeping or bathing.

Your injury may be wrapped in an elastic bandage. This is to help decrease swelling and pain. Remove the bandage before sleeping, unless it's used to keep your splint in place. Make sure your skin is clean and dry before putting the bandage back on.

Don't wrap it too tight. Loosen it if your toes or fingers swell, turn blue, or tingle.

Managing pain and swelling

Major sprains may cause pain and swelling for several days. The pain may get worse in the first 24 hours after your injury.

You can manage pain and swelling with RICE, which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.

Rest means not putting any weight on the joint. Use crutches if you need to.

Put an ice bag wrapped in a thin, dry cloth on the area. Do this for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours for 2 days, or until the swelling goes down.

Use an elastic bandage to compress the injured joint. This can decrease swelling if you do this soon after the injury.

Raise the injured area above the level of your heart.

You may be able to take over-the-counter pain medicine. Follow the dosage on the package label. Or you may need a prescription medicine. Take it exactly as directed. Don't take any over-the-counter medicine while taking prescription medicine unless you check with your healthcare provider first.

Safety tips for a sprain

If you have an injured arm, elbow, wrist or hand:

• Don't lift anything with your injured arm.
• Raise your hand higher than your arm as often as you can, and
• Wiggle your fingers often.

If you have an injured leg, knee, foot or ankle:

• Use crutches, a walker, or a cane exactly as directed.
• Raise your foot higher than your knee when you're resting.
• Wiggle your toes often, and
• Don't put your weight on the injured leg until your healthcare provider says it's OK.

When to call

Call your healthcare provider or go to the emergency room if you have:

• Pain that gets worse, and doesn't get better after taking pain medicine,
• Fingers or toes that turn pale or blue, go numb, or tingle
• Severe pain that gets worse when you move
• Fever or chills, or
• Skin over the area that turns red and warm

You can return to normal activities slowly as directed by your healthcare provider. If you have pain, the injured area isn't ready for normal use.

Taking all the right steps to get proper treatment for your sprain will help it heal right so you can get back to normal!

What we have learned

You will need only a sling for any sprain you have. True or false? The answer is false. A sprain can be treated with a sling, elastic bandage, splint, or cast.

Most sprains heal in 2 months. True or false? The answer is false. Most sprains heal in 1 to 2 weeks with home treatment.