Sprain Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

A sprain is a stretching or tearing of a ligament, the fibrous tissue that connects two bones together at a joint. The most common location for sprains is in the ankle. When a sprain, one or maybe all three experience excessive stretching or even tearing. As a result, movement becomes limited and less stable.

Sprain Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms will vary, depending on the severity of the injury, and may include:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Bruises
• Limited ability to move the affected joint
• Hearing or feeling a "popping" in the joint at the time of injury

Causes of Sprain
The main cause of sprains is the overstretching of ligaments, muscles, and tendons. Sprains generally occur when a person does activities that put pressure on the joints, such as:

• Walking or exercising on uneven terrain
• Performing rotating movements during sports, such as in athletics or rhythmic gymnastics
• Landing or falling in the wrong position
• Doing the wrong exercise technique while exercising

What To Do If Sprain
To treat minor sprains or speed up recovery after treatment, patients can perform self-care at home by:

Rest the injured area, for example by using crutches, for at least 2 days or until the pain subsides

• Compressing the injured area using ice wrapped in a towel for 15-20 minutes every 3 hours, for 3 days
• Wrap an elastic bandage over the injured area to reduce swelling
• Position the injured part higher than the body, especially when lying down or sitting

When to go to the doctor?
Minor sprains can be treated at home. But the injury that causes a sprain can also lead to serious injuries, such as broken bones. You should see a doctor if:

• Unable to move or bear weight on the affected joint
• Have pain directly over the injured joint
• Experiencing numbness in any part of the injured area

In addition to self-care, there are several medical treatments that doctors can perform to treat sprains, namely:

• Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy or physical therapy is done when the pain and swelling experienced by the patient begins to subside

• Operation

If the tear in the ligament or muscle is very severe, such as a complete fracture, and the joint condition is very unstable, the doctor will advise the patient to undergo surgery.

• Use of props

In cases of severe sprains, additional treatment is required, for example the use of a support device such as a brace or cast for approximately 10 days.