Sprains and Strains Treatment

1. Control Swelling With RICE Therapy

Rest the sprained or strained area. If necessary, use a sling for an arm injury or crutches for a leg or foot
injury. Splint an injured finger or toe by taping it to an adjacent finger or toe.
Ice for 20 minutes every hour.
Compress by wrapping an elastic (Ace) bandage or sleeve lightly (not tightly) around the joint or limb.
Elevate the area above heart level.

2. Manage Pain and Inflammation
Give an over-the-counter NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or
aspirin. Do not give aspirin to anyone under age 18.

3. See a Health Care Provider
All but the most minor strains and sprains should be evaluated by a health care provider. Consult a
health care provider as soon as possible if there are symptoms of a possible broken bone:
There is a "popping" sound with the injury.
The person can't move the injured joint or limb.
The limb buckles when the injured joint is used.
There is numbness.
There is significant swelling, pain, fever, or open cuts.

4. Follow Up
Continue RICE for 24 to 48 hours, or until the person sees a health care provider.
The health care provider may want to do X-rays or an MRI to diagnose a severe sprain or strain or rule
out a broken bone.
The health care provider may need to immobilize the limb or joint with a splint, cast, or other device
until healing is complete.
In severe cases, surgery may be needed.

A fracture is a broken bone. It requires medical attention. If the broken bone is the result of major
trauma or injury, call 911 or your local emergency number. Also call for emergency help if:

The person is unresponsive, isn't breathing or isn't moving. Begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR) if there's no respiration or heartbeat.
There is heavy bleeding.
Even gentle pressure or movement causes pain.
The limb or joint appears deformed.
The bone has pierced the skin.
The extremity of the injured arm or leg, such as a toe or finger, is numb or bluish at the tip.
You suspect a bone is broken in the neck, head or back.
You suspect a bone is broken in the hip, pelvis or upper leg (for example, the leg and foot turn
outward abnormally).
Don't move the person except if necessary to avoid further injury. Take these actions immediately while
waiting for medical help:

Stop any bleeding. Apply pressure to the wound with a sterile bandage, a clean cloth or a clean piece of
clothing.
Immobilize the injured area. Don't try to realign the bone or push a bone that's sticking out back in. If
you've been trained in how to splint and professional help isn't readily available, apply a splint to the
area above and below the fracture sites. Padding the splints can help reduce discomfort.
Apply ice packs to limit swelling and help relieve pain until emergency personnel arrive. Don't apply
ice directly to the skin wrap the ice in a towel, piece of cloth or some other material.
Treat for shock. If the person feels faint or is breathing in short, rapid breaths lay the person down with
the head slightly lower than the trunk and, if possible, elevate the legs.

A dislocation is an injury in which the ends of your bones are forced from their normal positions. The
cause is usually trauma resulting from a fall, an auto accident or a collision during contact or high-speed
sports.
In adults, the most common site of dislocation is the shoulder. In children, it's the elbow. Dislocation
usually involves the body's larger joints. Because of its position on the hand, however, your thumb is
also vulnerable if forcibly bent the wrong way.
The injury will temporarily deform and immobilize your joint and may result in sudden and severe pain
and swelling. A dislocation requires prompt medical attention to return your bones to their proper
positions.

If you believe you have dislocated a joint:

Don't delay medical care. Get medical help immediately.

Don't move the joint. Until you receive help, splint the affected joint into its fixed position. Don't try to
move a dislocated joint or force it back into place. This can damage the joint and its surrounding
muscles, ligaments, nerves or blood vessels.

Put ice on the injured joint. This can help reduce swelling by controlling internal bleeding and the
buildup of fluids in and around the injured joint.


First aid treatment for torn Cartilage

Initial treatment
Treatment for a torn meniscus often begins conservatively. Your doctor may recommend:

Rest. Avoid activities that aggravate your knee pain, especially any activity that might cause you to twist
your knee. You might want to use crutches to take pressure off your knee and promote healing.

Ice. Ice can reduce knee pain and swelling. Use a cold pack, a bag of frozen vegetables or a towel filled
with ice cubes for about 15 minutes at a time. Do this every four to six hours the first day or two, and
then as often as needed.

Medication. Over-the-counter pain relievers also can help ease knee pain.

Therapy
Physical therapy can help you strengthen the muscles around your knee and in your legs to help stabilize
and support the knee joint. Arch supports or other shoe inserts can help to distribute force more evenly
around your knee or decrease stress on certain areas of your knee.

Surgery
If your knee remains painful, stiff or locked, your doctor may recommend surgery. It's sometimes
possible to repair a torn meniscus. In other cases, the meniscus is trimmed. Surgery may be done
through an arthroscope.
During arthroscopic surgery, your doctor inserts an instrument called an arthroscope through a tiny
incision near your knee. The arthroscope contains a light and a small camera, which projects an enlarged
image of the inside of your knee onto a monitor. Surgical instruments can be inserted through the
arthroscope or through additional small incisions in your knee.
Recovery time following arthroscopic surgery tends to be much faster than it is for open-knee
procedures. You can often go home the same day. Full recovery may take weeks or months, however,
and you will need to do exercises to optimize knee strength and stability.