Emergency At-Home Treatment for Sprains and Strains

Getting to a hospital in case of an emergency is becoming increasingly difficult and getting immediate care is well-nigh impossible. It is important to know how to take care of simple emergencies, like sprains and strains at home.

What Is the Difference Between a Sprain and a Strain?

A sprain occurs when a ligament or muscle gets twisted and a strain happens if it is overextended. These problems can happen even when you are at home doing a household chore and can be quite painful. Both, a simple sprain and strain can be alleviated with similar home treatments.

Home Treatment for Sprain or Strain

·     RICE Therapy – Stands for Rest, Ice, Compress and Elevate

Rest the area for as long as possible or till the pain recedes. If you have to move about, use crutches so that the injured area is not overloaded.

Ice the area for 20 minutes every hour. Wrap a bandage around the area to compress it. You can use a brace, a sports tape or even a bandage to hold the area in place. It is important to keep the injured area elevated to reduce inflammation. Keep it raised on a pillow.

Also Read: Treating an ankle sprain

Medication for Pain and Inflammation

Regular NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) like Advil, Aspirin, etc. can help with the pain and inflammation.

·    Speak to a Tele health Expert

Get advice on what to do and what kind of medication to take by consulting your podiatrist over the phone. For simple strains and sprains, you should start feeling better over a couple of days with the above treatment. You should see a doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:

• If there is a popping or crunching sound with the injury.

• If there is substantial swelling which doesn’t reduce.

• If the person cannot move the foot.

• If the person cannot put weight on the foot.

• If there is numbness.