Muscle Sprain
The amount of
swelling or local bleeding into the muscle (from torn blood vessels) can best be
managed early by applying ice packs and maintaining the strained muscle in a
stretched position. Heat can be applied when the swelling has lessened.
However, the early application of heat can increase swelling and pain.
Note: Ice or heat should not be applied to
bare skin. Always use a protective covering such as a towel between the ice or
heat and the skin.
- Take non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory agents such as aspirin and ibuprofen to reduce the pain and
to improve your ability to move around.
- Protection, rest,
ice, compression, and elevation (known as the PRICE formula) can help the
affected muscle. Here's how: First, remove all constrictive clothing,
including jewelry, in the area of muscle strain.
- Protect the
strained muscle from further injury.
- Rest the strained
muscle. Avoid the activities that caused the strain and other activities
that are painful.
- Ice the muscle area
(20 minutes every hour while awake). Ice is a very effective
anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving agent. Small ice packs, such as
packages of frozen vegetables or water frozen in foam coffee cups, applied
to the area may help decrease inflammation.
- Compression can be
a gently applied with an Ace or other elastic bandage, which can provide
both support and decrease swelling. Do not wrap tightly.
- Elevate the injured
area to decrease swelling. Prop up a strained leg muscle while sitting, for
example.
- Activities that
increase muscle pain or work the affected body part are not recommended until
the pain has significantly gone away.
Medical Treatment
Treatment is similar to the treatment at
home. The doctor, however, also can determine the extent of muscle and tendon
injury and if crutches or a brace is necessary for healing. The doctor can also
determine if you need to restrict your activity, take days off work, and if
rehabilitation exercises are required to help you recover.
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