Sprains and strains are painful injuries that make it hard to get around or function normally. Especially if you have a sprained ankle, it can be hard to get to the doctor’s office to get the medical care you need.
But if you’re hurt, you don’t have to go out of your way to receive treatment for these sports-type injuries. Through Medical House Calls, our doctors can give you the treatment you need from the comfort of your home.
Our providers bring all the tools and resources they need to compress and stabilize injured limbs. On top of sprains and strains, our providers also offer treatment for minor to mild fractures that can be addressed outside of an emergency room.
FOR MEDICAL EMERGENCIES CALL 911
Sprains
Sprains occur when the ligaments that support the joints get stretched in unnatural ways.
Strains
On the other hand, strains occur when a muscle or tendon gets stretched abnormally.
Fractures
Bone fractures vary in terms of severity, type, and classification. What kind of fracture occurs depends on the location of the injury and the amount of force applied to the broken bone. Fractures may break through the skin or remain under the skin.
They can also be either simple or complex. Simple fractures only involve a clean breakage of one bone. Complex fractures involve multiple breaking points on either the same bone or several. Usually, there is also damage to the surrounding muscles, ligaments, tendons, and other tissues.
Diagnosing Sprains, Strains, and Fractures
Sprains and strains and even simple fractures are usually easy to identify. However, due to the sensitive nature of these injuries and the possibility of cross-presenting symptoms, scans and tests are the best way to diagnose these injuries.
When one of our physicians visits your home to treat a muscle injury or a fracture, they can perform a general physical exam and then recommend whether you should receive an x-ray or an MRI to rule out any further complications.
Treatment for Sprains, Strains, and Fractures
Whether you have a sprain or a strain, the treatment is pretty much the same. You may have heard the acronym “RICE” which is an easy way to remember how to care for sports injuries.
Rest
Your strained muscles and sprained ligaments need time to heal. After a sprain or strain, take the next few days easy so your body has time to recover. However, after a couple of days you should begin gently using the injured part of your body again so the muscles, ligaments, and tendons don’t atrophy from lack of use.
Ice
Swelling and inflammation are the body’s natural response to injury. Applying cold compresses or ice packs immediately after an injury will help reduce swelling and relieve pain. Never apply ice directly to your skin, as it can cause more tissue damage. Wrap an ice pack in a towel and apply to the injury for no longer than 20 minutes at a time.
Compression
You can further reduce swelling by applying a compression bandage or wrap, or by wearing a compression garment. If you decide to wrap your injured limb, be sure not to wrap it too tightly, because your body will still need to circulate blood to the injury to help it heal.
Elevation
Keep the injury either at or above the level of your heart to help reduce swelling and promote healing.
You can also use pain relievers like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or naproxen sodium to help with the pain. Additionally, you can alternate applying a heated compress after applying a cold compress.
What Causes Sprains and Strains?
These injuries are well known injuries in sports. But you don’t have to be an athlete to get a sprain or a strain. These injuries can result from overuse, repeated movement, or singular trauma.
Keep Yourself Safe from Sprains and Strains
Whenever you’re exercising you should always warm up and stretch before participating in an activity that could hurt previous injuries. You should also be aware of and practice exercising with proper form and techniques to help you avoid injuries.
Caring for Fractures
- First aid for fractures:
- Don’t move the injured person, except to prevent further injuries
- Stop any bleeding
- Stabilize the injury to prevent movement and further injury
- Apply ice to the injury to reduce swelling
- Treat the injured person for shock
- Seek medical assistance–for medical emergencies, call 911
After receiving first aid for a fracture, our doctors can regularly visit with you, in your home, to ensure your injury heals properly.
FOR MEDICAL EMERGENCIES CALL 911
Give Us A Call for Home Medical Care in Nashville, TN
If you’re injured and need help recovering from an overuse injury, a sprain, strain, or a fracture, call our medical house call doctors to make an appointment today.
