How to Administer First Aid for a Sprain

A sprain occurs when there is a stressing, pulling or tearing of the ligaments that are attached to the bone extremities and hold joints in place. Ligaments are tough and elastic in order to assist with the mobility and flexibility of the body’s extremities, but that does not mean they are always durable. There is often a misconception associated with sprain injuries because there is an assumption that since it is not a bone injury it is not a serious injury; and this is far from true. Sprains are often painful and can even cause long term disabilities. Common sprain injuries occur to the ankle, knee and the inner arch of the feet, and what you do in the first 24 to 72 hours after the sprain occurs can help you successfully treat your injury.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ice pack
• Splint
• Elastic wrap or bandage
• Pillows
• Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication

1. Protect the sprained extremity from further injury by immobilizing it with a splint or anything you have on hand that will isolate the sprained area. It is important to make sure the injured area does not continue to move about freely, which would encourage a worsening of the sprain.

2. Rest the sprained area, but you do not have to discontinue all activities. The injured area will have a better and faster chance to recover by resting and staying off of the sprained extremity.

3. Ice the injured area so that it can keep swelling and inflammation down to a minimum. The ice pack should be used every 2 to 3 hours for 20 to 30 minute intervals or until the skin begins to feel numbed from the coldness.

4. Compression of the sprained injury is essential to lessening inflammation that may set in after the injury occurs. Use an elastic wrap or elastic bandage for compression by wrapping it around the affected sprain starting below the injury and wrapping upward. You want to make sure you do not wrap the sprain too tightly which can prevent proper circulation of the blood and lead to more problems.

5. Elevate the sprained extremity by propping it up on pillows. You want to make sure that you elevate it higher than the level of your heart so that it will assist in lessening swelling.

6. Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication to help with pain that is associated with swelling and inflammation that occurs with a sprain.

Tips & Warnings

• Continue to keep pressure off of sprain injure for at least 7 to 10 days or until the pain subsides.
• A good way to prevent your risk for a sprain is to utilize proper safety equipment to protect extremities during strenuous activities, and do warm-up and cooling down stretches.
• Make sure the shoes you wear fit properly and are supportive of the activity you will be taking part in.
• Do not keep ice pack on sprain injury longer than 20 to 30 minute intervals because the extreme cold can cause damage to the skin and underlying tissue.
• Call your doctor for swelling that does not begin to lessen in two days, redness and warmth of the extremity, or you begin to run a temperature of 100 degrees F, all of which may indicate possible infection.
• Seek medical attention for injuries that produce severe pain or you have actually heard a popping sound during the injury. This could reflect a more severe injury that may require more treatment.

Resources

• Mayo Clinic: Sprain
• Sprain Overview