Sprains

Most commonly heard when discussing ankle pain, the term sprain refers to the stretching or tearing of a ligament. A ligament is a fibrous tissue that connects two bones together in a joint. Stretching or tearing a ligament can be painful, so below, we’ll talk about the common symptoms and causes of a sprain, as well as how they’re treated. 

Symptoms

Depending on the person and the type of injury, symptoms may vary between individuals. Common signs of a sprain include:

• Bruising
• Swelling
• Pain
• Limited Range of Motion
• A popping sound at the time of injury

Fortunately mild cases can be treated at home with rest and ice. However, the injuries that cause sprains can also cause breaks and fractures, so you should consult your physician if you can’t move or put your weight on the area, or are feeling numbness or sharp pain.

Causes

Like we mentioned before, a sprain is caused by stretching or tearing a ligament. They most often occur to the ankle, knee, wrist and thumb, and are typically a result of exercise, repetitive motion, or a bad trip or fall. Additionally, risk factors include muscle fatigue, improper sporting equipment or slippery or uneven surfaces. 

Prevention & Treatment

Though not all sprains can be prevented, you can reduce your risk of injury by making sure to always stretch properly before exercise, be in shape before playing sports, and condition your muscles regularly. The best brace you can offer your joints are your own strong muscles. 

For immediate relief from a sprain, elevate the injured area, and give it plenty of rest and ice. Furthermore, to reduce swelling, you can also compress the area with a bandage. Over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help you manage your discomfort. You should begin to see gradual improvement. 

However, if your at-home remedies aren’t improving your sprain, you should contact your doctor. They may recommend physical therapy, a brace or splint, or in the most severe cases of a torn ligament, surgery. 

Sprain Pain Relief at Minivasive Pain

At Minivasive Pain, our mission is to treat the causes of pain with the highest standards of care and quality. Our experienced team of orthopedic physicians will help diagnose and treat your sprain, so you can get back to the joys of life in no time. Plus, we have several locations throughout the Greater Houston Area for your convenience. To schedule an appointment, please call (346) 800-6001 now.