When To See A Doctor:
Listen to your body. Several signs will indicate to you when you
should see your doctor:
Immediate Care of Injuries:
The immediate care of common sports injuries (sprains,
strains,contusions, etc.) consists of a four step program that
should be followed as soon as an injury occurs, whether or not you
go to a physician. The four part program is called R I C
E, and stands for REST, ICE, COMPRESSION, and ELEVATION.
REST
As soon as an injury occurs, it is important to stop the
activity,immediately! To prolong stopping could cause further
damage to the injured part. When a body part has become injured,
the body reacts with an inflammatory process which causes swelling,
redness, local increase of heat in the area, pain, and malfunction.
The degree of each of these dependant on the severity of the
injury.
ICE
Put ice on the injured part as soon as possible after the
injury.Ice or cold, specifically, controls swelling by constricting
the blood and lymph vessels, decreases muscle spasm (which often
accompanies injury), and decreases some of the discomfort and pain
caused by the inflammation. By reducing the swelling that collects
around the injured area, the rehabilitation time will be lessened
and you will be able to return to your sport more quickly.The ice
should be applied for 20-30 minutes. It could be in the form of an
ice bag, chemical packs, frozen vegetables, can of soda, snow,
etc.. It should be applied every hour for the next several
hours.
COMPRESSION
Compression also helps to limit swelling in the injured area. The
compression should be applied concurrently with the cold treatment
(a wet elastic bandage). After the ice treatment, a dry elastic
wrap or tape should be applied comfortably firm not too tight to
cut off circulation, or too loose to allow further swelling. If
lackof sensation or numbness is felt the wrap is probably too
tight.The use of felt or sponge pads around bony prominences (ankle
bones)will insure even pressure around the injured part. The wrap
should be loosened while going to bed, but worn continuously until
the swelling has subsided (about 48-72 hours).
ELEVATION
The fourth part of the treatment is to elevate the injured part
while being compressed. In elevating, support should be placed
under theentire limb. The height should be above the level of the
HEART to help drain the excess fluid from the injured area. While
sleeping,the compression wrap should be loosened and the foot of
the bed or mattress raised by some suitable object (for injuries to
the lower extremity) or the head of the bed or mattress raised for
the upper extremity injuries.
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RICE should be continued for at least 48-72 hours.
Under no circumstances during this time should and form of heat be
applied, including excessive time in hot showers or baths. That
would just increase the swelling and inflammation. When you're sure
the swelling has stopped, give yourself anextra day of
RICE. During the acute (first 72 hours) stage of
the injury, no other activity should be performed. Your body has
been injured and will need all the help it can to heal the injury.
This means optimal healing conditions-proper nutrition, your normal
amount of sleep, and a positive attitude. The same amount of effort
you placed in your athletic endeavors should be placed in your
rehabilitation program.