How to Treat Sports Injuries
Seek medical treatment., Treat the injury at home.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Seek medical treatment.
Some injuries will require immediate medical attention due to the severity of the injury.
Medical Treatment may involve, prescription medication, corticosteroid injection, placing a cast on a broken bone or even surgery.
You should go to a doctor or medical facility if you have any of the following signs:
Severe pain, swelling or numbness The inability to tolerate any weight on the area The ache of an old injury has suddenly developed increased swelling If you have an obvious abnormality with a joint or bone If you have a severe laceration or excess bleeding that will not stop -
Step 2: Treat the injury at home.
If you haven’t experienced any of the above signs and symptoms, start self-treatment as soon as possible after the injury has occurred.
Rest.
Do not attempt to continue with the activity to “work through it,” as this may cause additional damage to the injured area.
You will need to rest for several days, and up to several weeks, depending on the severity of your injury.
Avoid using the affected area until you feel that you have recovered enough to avoid re-injury or irritation.
Use ice on the injury.
Apply an ice pack four to eight times daily for 20 minutes at a time.
Do not leave ice on your body for more than 20 minutes at a time in order to avoid frostbite or skin injury.
Instead of putting ice directly on the skin, wrap it in a towel or cloth.
Hot/cold packs can be purchased and the directions should be followed accordingly.
When ice is applied to a swollen area, the blood vessels will become smaller in diameter, which will limit the amount of blood that is exposed to the injured area.
This helps in the healing process.
The ice will also help to numb the pain.
Use compression on the injury.
If swelling occurs, light compression can help to reduce swelling.
It will help to prevent blood and fluid from entering the injured area.
Elevate your injury.
If you have injured an area such as the ankle, knee, elbow or wrist, elevating it will decrease the swelling to the area.
Prop the injured area on a pillow or soft object for comfort.
Immobilize the injured area.
You may need to prevent the affected area from too much movement, depending on the location.
Once you have initiated the treatment process and during times when you are not elevating the area, use a sling, splint, or immobilizer to prevent further injury to the area.
Use medication.
Over the counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can help tremendously.
They not only work for pain but on the healing process itself.
Inflammation occurs immediately following an injury and these medications will help to prevent too much of this.
Examples include: ibuprofen, aspirin and Naproxen Sodium.
Another over the counter medication is acetaminophen, which also helps in reduction in pain.
Use heat after 48 hours.
Once swelling is controlled, usually in 48 hours, heat can be applied for comfort and to help with the healing process.
Heat can increase the blood flow to the area, which helps to remove cell debris from the damaged tissues, thus helping with the healing process.
Use pain patches and topical ointments.
There are several types of over the counter numbing patches and pain topical ointments that may help to relieve pain.
Use these as needed and if they do not interfere with healing.
The injury should be closed if these are used to prevent infection.
Detailed Guide
Some injuries will require immediate medical attention due to the severity of the injury.
Medical Treatment may involve, prescription medication, corticosteroid injection, placing a cast on a broken bone or even surgery.
You should go to a doctor or medical facility if you have any of the following signs:
Severe pain, swelling or numbness The inability to tolerate any weight on the area The ache of an old injury has suddenly developed increased swelling If you have an obvious abnormality with a joint or bone If you have a severe laceration or excess bleeding that will not stop
If you haven’t experienced any of the above signs and symptoms, start self-treatment as soon as possible after the injury has occurred.
Rest.
Do not attempt to continue with the activity to “work through it,” as this may cause additional damage to the injured area.
You will need to rest for several days, and up to several weeks, depending on the severity of your injury.
Avoid using the affected area until you feel that you have recovered enough to avoid re-injury or irritation.
Use ice on the injury.
Apply an ice pack four to eight times daily for 20 minutes at a time.
Do not leave ice on your body for more than 20 minutes at a time in order to avoid frostbite or skin injury.
Instead of putting ice directly on the skin, wrap it in a towel or cloth.
Hot/cold packs can be purchased and the directions should be followed accordingly.
When ice is applied to a swollen area, the blood vessels will become smaller in diameter, which will limit the amount of blood that is exposed to the injured area.
This helps in the healing process.
The ice will also help to numb the pain.
Use compression on the injury.
If swelling occurs, light compression can help to reduce swelling.
It will help to prevent blood and fluid from entering the injured area.
Elevate your injury.
If you have injured an area such as the ankle, knee, elbow or wrist, elevating it will decrease the swelling to the area.
Prop the injured area on a pillow or soft object for comfort.
Immobilize the injured area.
You may need to prevent the affected area from too much movement, depending on the location.
Once you have initiated the treatment process and during times when you are not elevating the area, use a sling, splint, or immobilizer to prevent further injury to the area.
Use medication.
Over the counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can help tremendously.
They not only work for pain but on the healing process itself.
Inflammation occurs immediately following an injury and these medications will help to prevent too much of this.
Examples include: ibuprofen, aspirin and Naproxen Sodium.
Another over the counter medication is acetaminophen, which also helps in reduction in pain.
Use heat after 48 hours.
Once swelling is controlled, usually in 48 hours, heat can be applied for comfort and to help with the healing process.
Heat can increase the blood flow to the area, which helps to remove cell debris from the damaged tissues, thus helping with the healing process.
Use pain patches and topical ointments.
There are several types of over the counter numbing patches and pain topical ointments that may help to relieve pain.
Use these as needed and if they do not interfere with healing.
The injury should be closed if these are used to prevent infection.
About the Author
Charlotte Jimenez
Specializes in breaking down complex DIY projects topics into simple steps.
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