The list of treatments mentioned in various sources for Strain includes the following list. Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment or change in treatment plans.
The first step in getting correct treatment is to get a correct diagnosis. Differential diagnosis list for Strain may include:
Products, offers and promotion categories available for Strain:
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Note:You must always seek professional medical advice about any prescription drug, OTC drug, medication, treatment or change in treatment plans.
Some of the different medications used in the treatment of Strain include:
These medical statistics relate to hospitals, hospitalization and Strain:
For people with a moderate or severe sprain, particularly of the ankle, a hard cast may be applied. Severe sprains and strains may require surgery to repair the torn ligaments, muscle, or tendons. Surgery is usually performed by an orthopaedic surgeon.
It is important that moderate and severe sprains and strains be evaluated by a doctor to allow prompt, appropriate treatment to begin. The box above lists some signs that should alert people to consult their doctor. However, a person who has any concerns about the seriousness of a sprain or strain should always contact a doctor for advice.
RICE TherapyRest Ice Compression Elevation |
Begin Rehabilitation
The second stage of treating a sprain or strain is rehabilitation, whose overall goal is to improve the condition of the injured part and restore its function. The health care provider will prescribe an exercise program designed to prevent stiffness, improve range of motion, and restore the joint's normal flexibility and strength. Some patients may need physical therapy during this stage.
When the acute pain and swelling have diminished, the health care provider or physical therapist will instruct the patient to do a series of exercises several times a day. These are very important because they help reduce swelling, prevent stiffness, and restore normal, pain-free range of motion. The health care provider can recommend many different types of exercises, depending on the injury. For example, people with an ankle sprain may be told to rest their heel on the floor and write the alphabet in the air with their big toe. A patient with an injured knee or foot will work on weight-bearing and balancing exercises. The duration of the program depends on the extent of the injury, but the regimen commonly lasts for several weeks.
Another goal of rehabilitation is to increase strength and regain flexibility. Depending on the patient's rate of recovery, this process begins about the second week after the injury. The health care provider or physical therapist will instruct the patient to do a series of exercises designed to meet these goals. During this phase of rehabilitation, patients progress to more demanding exercises as pain decreases and function improves.
The final goal is the return to full daily activities, including sports when appropriate. Patients must work closely with their health care provider or physical therapist to determine their readiness to return to full activity. Sometimes people are tempted to resume full activity or play sports despite pain or muscle soreness. Returning to full activity before regaining normal range of motion, flexibility, and strength increases the chance of reinjury and may lead to a chronic problem.
The amount of rehabilitation and the time needed for full recovery after a sprain or strain depend on the severity of the injury and individual rates of healing. For example, a moderate ankle sprain may require 3 to 6 weeks of rehabilitation before a person can return to full activity. With a severe sprain, it can take 8 to 12 months before the ligament is fully healed. Extra care should be taken to avoid reinjury. (Source: excerpt from Questions and Answers Sprains and Strains: NIAMS)
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Treatment of sprains consists of controlling pain and swelling and immobilizing the injured joint to promote healing. Immediately after the injury, control swelling by elevating the joint above the level of the heart and by applying ice intermittently for 24 to 48 hours. To prevent a cold injury, place a towel between the ice pack and the skin.
Support the joint, using an elastic bandage. If the sprain is severe, immobilize the joint with a splint, and instruct the patient to stay off his feet (nonweight-bearing). Codeine or another analgesic may be necessary if the injury is severe. If the patient has a sprained ankle, he may need crutch gait training. Because patients with sprains seldom require hospitalization, provide patient teaching.
An immobilized sprain usually heals in 2 to 3 weeks, after which the patient can gradually resume normal activities. Occasionally, however, torn ligaments don’t heal properly and cause recurrent dislocation, requiring surgical repair. Some athletes may request immediate surgical repair to hasten healing; to prevent sprains, they may tape their wrists and ankles before sports activities.
Acute strains require analgesics and application of ice for up to 48 hours and then application of heat. Complete muscle rupture may require surgery. Chronic strains usually don’t require treatment, but heat application, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, or an analgesic-muscle relaxant can relieve discomfort.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Effective treatment differs for sprains and strains.
Sprains call for control of pain and swelling and immobilization of the injured joint to promote healing. Immediately after the injury, elevating the joint above the level of the heart and intermittently applying ice for 12 to 48 hours controls swelling. A towel between the ice pack and the skin prevents cold injuries.
An immobilized sprain usually heals in 2 to 3 weeks, and the patient can then gradually resume normal activities. Occasionally, however, torn ligaments don’t heal properly and cause recurrent dislocation, necessitating surgical repair.
Some athletes may request immediate surgical repair to hasten healing; to prevent sprains, they may tape their wrists and ankles before sports activities.
Acute strains require analgesics and application of ice for up to 48 hours, then heat. Complete muscle rupture may require surgery.
Chronic strains usually don’t need treatment, but instead heat application, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (such as ibuprofen), or an analgesic-muscle relaxant can relieve discomfort.
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
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