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Step 1
Determine what led to the injury. Was it a sudden twisting motion involving knees? A fall onto an outstretched hand, with your wrist being injured? Did your feet turn inward and injure the ankle? These are all common way to sprain these areas.
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Step 2
Check for swelling and bruising. In a grade I sprain, there will be minimal levels of swelling, in grade II, moderate levels, and in grade III the amount of swelling and bruising will be severe.
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Step 3
Assess the amount of pain and the mobility of the injured area. In grade I sprains, it will be nominal, in grade II there will be moderate pain and some loss of motion, and in grade III the pain and loss of mobility will be significant.
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Step 4
Recall whether there was a popping sound or sensation at the time of the injury. This is often, but not always, the case.
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Step 5
Determine if you have significant risk factors for a sprain or torn ligaments. Those include poor conditioning, improper warm up before physical activity or fatigue at the time of the injury.
