Sprain Treatment & Rehabilitation | Arunalaya Healthcare

Best Sprains Treatment in Delhi

What is ?

A sprain is a common injury that involves the stretching or tearing of ligaments. Ligaments are strong, tough bands of fibrous tissue that connect bones to other bones, providing stability to joints.

The most common location for a sprain is the ankle, but they can occur in any joint supported by ligaments, such as the knee, wrist, or thumb.

Sprain vs. Strain: What is the Difference?

It is easy to confuse sprains and strains, as they have similar symptoms and often occur during physical activity.

Sprain: Injury to a ligament (connects bone to bone).
Strain: Injury to a muscle or tendon (connects muscle to bone).

Causes of Sprains

Sprains typically occur when a joint is forced to move beyond its normal range of motion, causing the ligaments to stretch or tear. Common causes include:-

Twisting or awkward movements: Such as rolling your ankle while walking on an uneven surface or landing awkwardly from a jump.
Falls: Landing on an outstretched hand (wrist sprain) or twisting a knee during a fall.
Direct impact: A blow to the joint during sports or an accident.
Sudden pivots or changes in direction: Common in sports like basketball, soccer, or tennis.

Symptoms of Sprains

The signs and symptoms of a sprain vary depending on the severity of the injury, but commonly include:-

- Pain: Especially when moving the affected joint or putting weight on it.
- Swelling: Around the injured joint.
- Bruising or discoloration: Due to bleeding from damaged blood vessels.
- Limited ability to move the affected joint: Stiffness or difficulty with range of motion.
- Instability: A feeling that the joint is “giving way” or can’t bear weight.
- A “pop” or “snap” sensation/sound: Heard or felt at the time of injury, indicating a more severe tear.

Grades of Sprains

Sprains are classified into three grades based on the extent of ligament damage:
- Grade 1 (Mild): The ligament is stretched, with only microscopic tears to the fibers. There’s mild pain, swelling, and tenderness, but the joint remains stable. Recovery is usually quick.
- Grade 2 (Moderate): There is a partial tear of the ligament. This results in more significant pain, swelling, and bruising, and some abnormal looseness (laxity) in the joint. The joint may feel somewhat unstable.
- Grade 3 (Severe): The ligament is completely torn. This leads to severe pain, significant swelling and bruising, and considerable joint instability. A “popping” sound is often heard. This grade may require immobilization or even surgery.

Treatment for Sprains

- Rest: Avoid activities that cause pain or discomfort. This may involve using crutches for ankle or knee sprains, or a splint/brace for wrist or thumb sprains.
- Ice: Apply an ice pack to the injured area for 15-20 minutes, every 2-3 hours for the first 24-48 hours. This helps reduce swelling and pain. Always place a cloth between the ice and your skin to prevent ice burns.
- Compression: Use an elastic bandage to wrap the injured area. This helps to reduce swelling. Ensure the wrap is firm but not too tight, as it could restrict blood flow.
- Elevation: Keep the injured area elevated above the level of your heart whenever possible. This uses gravity to help reduce swelling.
Other treatments may include:-
- Immobilization: For moderate to severe sprains, a brace, splint, or cast may be used to stabilize the joint and allow the ligament to heal.
- Physical Therapy: Once the initial pain and swelling subside, physical therapy is crucial. A physical therapist can guide you through exercises to restore range of motion, strength, stability, and proprioception (body awareness) to the injured joint, helping to prevent re-injury.

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