If you're an active kid, you'll probably get a sprain or
a strain at some point. Strains and sprains are common injuries,
especially for kids who play hard or do sports. Let's find out
more about them.
What Are Strains and Sprains?
Muscles
contract and relax (almost like rubber bands) to help your body
move. So a
strain
is exactly what it sounds like: a muscle that has been stretched
too far. It's common for people to strain the muscles in their
backs, necks, or legs.
Bones
meet at joints, such as elbows, knees, or shoulders. That's
where your body bends and rotates. Strong, elastic bands of tissue,
called
ligaments
(say:
lih
-guh-muntz), hold bones together in the joints. A
sprain
happens when those ligaments have been overstretched (mild sprain)
or torn (severe sprain). Ankles, wrists, and knees sprain
easily.
How Is a Strain Different From a Sprain?
Even though both can hurt a lot, strains are not as serious as
sprains. Because a strain is
pain
in the muscle, it may start to hurt immediately or several hours
later. The area will be tender and swollen and may also appear
bruised.
A sprain will probably start to hurt right away. Usually the
injury will swell and look bruised, it may be hard to walk or move
the injured part, and you may even think you have
broken a bone
.
How Does a Strain or Sprain Happen?
Strains often happen when you put a lot of pressure on a muscle
or you push it too far, such as when lifting a heavy object.
Strains may be more likely to happen if you haven't warmed up
first to get blood circulating to the muscles. They're also
common for someone returning to a sport after the off-season. That
first time playing softball after a long winter off might lead to a
strained calf or thigh muscle.
Sprains are caused by injuries, such as twisting your ankle.
This kind of injury is common in sports, but can also happen any
time you trip or fall. One mom sprained her ankle when she got
tangled in the pants she was trying to put on!
What Should You Do if You Get a Strain or Sprain?
Stop! That's the word to remember if you get a strain or
sprain. Don't use the part of your body that's hurt. That
means not walking on a hurt ankle or using a hurt arm. Tell a
grown-up right away so he or she can get you to a doctor, if
necessary.
It can be hard to tell the difference between a sprain and a
broken bone, so it's often a good idea to see a doctor. In some
cases, you might need to go to the
emergency department
.
What Will the Doctor Do?
First, a doctor will look at your injury. He or she may gently
touch the area, check the color, feel if your skin is warm or cold,
and look for swelling and tenderness. If you hurt your ankle, your
doctor might ask to see if you can stand on it. In some cases, the
doctor will order an
X-ray
to tell if the bone is broken.
If you have a sprain, the doctor will probably have you wear a
splint or temporary cast to support and protect the injured area.
He or she may wrap the injury with an elastic bandage to reduce
swelling and provide extra support. Also, he or she may tell your
mom or dad to give you
pain medication
.
If you have a strain, the doctor will probably tell you to rest
the injury and maybe take some pain medication.
What Should You Do Now?
It's very important to follow your doctor's
instructions. When you get home, remember
RICE
. We're not talking about the food. RICE is a way to remember
how to take care of your injury. It stands for
R
est,
I
ce,
C
ompression, and
E
levation.
-
Rest
the injured part of the body.
- Apply
ice
or cold packs to the injury. This helps bring down swelling, so
the injured area will be less puffy.
- Wear an elastic
compression
(say: kum-
preh
-shun) bandage or splint. Compression means to apply or press
something together. When an injury is wrapped firmly, the
pressure prevents and decreases swelling (puffiness).
-
Elevate
, or raise, the injured part so it's higher than your heart.
You can use pillows to raise it up. This also prevents
swelling.
After 24 hours, it's OK to use warm compresses or a heating
pad to soothe aching muscles. Take any pain medications that have
been ordered by your doctor.
A strain takes about 1 week to heal. A bad sprain may take
longer - as long as 3 to 4 weeks to heal or sometimes even longer.
While your strain or sprain heals, take it easy and don't do
stuff that could cause another injury.
If you've visited the doctor for your injury, you may have a
follow-up visit to make sure everything is healing just right. When
you're all healed, your doctor will give you the green light to
do your favorite activities again!
Updated and reviewed by:
Yamini Durani, MD
Date reviewed: May 2007
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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