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What is a Sprain?
A sprain is a stretching or tearing of ligaments, the tough, fibrous bands of tissue that connect bones to one another at a joint.
Causes
Anything that places sudden or unaccustomed stress on joints may cause a sprain. Falls, lifting heavy objects, and the exertion of an unfamiliar sport are common culprits. Being overweight, inactive, or in poor physical condition boosts the likelihood of injury. Improperly warming up and not stretching muscles before intense physical activity can also result in injury.
Symptoms
Pain in the affected joint.
Rapid swelling of a joint, often accompanied by bruising.
Stiffness and difficulty moving a joint.
Treatment
Adequate time and rest are the best healers in this case.
Alternating heat and cold applied to the affected area through a dry cloth or towel.
Use painkillers, namely ibuprofen (Advil), sparingly. These relieve pain by reducing swelling and stopping the healing process. Also, without pain you will feel that ou can move through the joint freely and this will in turn cause further damage.
Call Your Doctor If...
- The pain, swelling, or stiffness does not improve in two to three days.
- You feel a popping sensation when you move a sprained joint; this may indicate a serious injury that requires immediate medical treatment.
- You can't move or bear weight on an injured joint. You may have a broken bone.
- The bones in an injured joint don't seem to be aligned properly. The ligaments that hold the joint together may be badly torn, requiring surgical repair.
- You have repeated sprains, indicating a chronic weakness that should be evaluated by a physician.
- You have a fever and the area is red and hot; this may be an infection.
Prevention
- Properly warm up before beginning any strenuous physical activity. Make sure to slowly rotate your joints in all of the directions they are capable of.
- When stretching, only extend your body to the point that you can stretch and feel minimal pain, attempting to stretch beyond your flexibility repeatedly causes problems.
- Eat a healthy diet and maintain a healthy weight to keep unnecessary pressure off of your joints.
- Allow your body ample time to rest between one exercise session and the next.
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