Sprains

A sprain, which involves the ligamentous structures (strong bands of connected tissue) surrounding the joint, resembles a strain, but the pain and swelling subside more slowly. It usually is caused by abnormal or excessive movement of the joint. With a sprain, the ligaments may be incompletely torn or, as in a sever sprain, completely torn or ruptured. The signs of sprain are pain, rapid swelling, heat, disability, discoloration,
and limitation of function. Any joint may be sprained, but the ankle joint is most commonly involved, especially in fast moving injuries in which an ankle or knee can be suddenly twisted.  Most ankle sprains occur in the lateral ankle when the foot is turned inward under a person, forcing the ankle into inversion beyond the structural limits. Other common sites of the sprain are the knee (the collateral ligament and anterior cruciate ligament) and elbow (the ulnar side). As with a strain, the soft tissue injury that occurs with a sprain is not evident on the radio-graph. Wrist sprains most often occur with a full on an outstretched hand. Occasionally, however, a chip of bone is evident when the entire ligament, including part of its bony attachment, has been ruptured or torn from the bone.

Treatment

• For injuries extremity elevate the affected area and apply cold compress for the first 24 hours.
• Compression (to reduce swelling and provide support by placing adhesive wraps or a removable splint).
• apply a cast
• immobilized the affected joint for several weeks.
• Immobilization may be followed by graded active exercises.