Ligaments are special structures made up of connective tissue.. Their main function is to hold the joint and at the same time ensure its mobility in certain directions.. Joint sprains are not only typical for professional athletes, such injuries are often found in everyday life.. The most commonly injured ankle and shoulder joints. This is due to the peculiarities of the anatomical structure, as well as an increased load on the joints..

Sprain symptoms. Joint sprains are characterized by pain and limited range of motion.. For example, in case of injury to the ligaments of the leg, a person cannot even lean on the foot. Severe acute pain is observed at the time of the injury. As a rule, the process goes silently.. If there is a complete rupture of the fibers, then a loud pop is clearly audible. When stretched, swelling and hyperemia of the skin can form, as well as small bruises at the site of injury.. Sometimes subfebrile body temperature is observed, which fluctuates within 37. 0 - 37. 2 degrees.

Causes of sprains Ligament damage can occur in absolutely anyone, even those who lead an inactive lifestyle. An ankle sprain can occur in the following cases:.

Unsuccessful fall, for example, on ice.

Tripping over an obstacle.

Tucking the legs (especially important in the winter season).

Work with heavy weight due to profession or when practicing certain sports.

The risk of such an injury is significantly increased in women who prefer to walk in high heels or platform shoes.. A sprain in the hand is usually caused by an unfortunate fall that ends with a landing on the hand..

Athletes experience sprains much more often. This kind of injury affects representatives of almost all sports..

It should be noted that previous injuries significantly increase the risk of re-injury.. Regardless of the type of injury, it is very important to heal the injury in a timely and complete manner, even if it is a small sprain..

Classification In medical practice, this injury of the ligaments of the joint is usually divided into several degrees:.

First degree. The fibers are not torn, only pain is observed, which disappears within 1 to 2 weeks. Usually no other symptoms.

Second degree. Part of the fibers is completely torn, there is acute pain, swelling of the skin, sometimes small subcutaneous hemorrhages are noticeable. Independent movement is difficult, in order to fully move around you have to use crutches, stilts or other auxiliary attributes.

Third degree. In this case, we are talking about a complete rupture of ligaments.. The pain is sharp and does not subside even when immobile. There is severe swelling, extensive hematomas, lack of support and impaired motor activity. In especially advanced cases, surgical assistance may be required..

With the first or second degree of severity, conservative treatment can be dispensed with: local ointments or creams, exercise therapy, massage and other manipulations. This will help to quickly cope with pain and speed up the process of tissue regeneration.. With the third degree of severity, the situation is more complicated, surgical assistance may be required. The recovery time is individual and depends on the characteristics of the body and the localization of the injury..

DiagnosisIt is quite difficult to understand on your own that we are talking about sprain, and not about another pathology.. If no improvement is observed within a few days, and the pain only intensifies, you should immediately consult a doctor.. With such problems, they turn to a traumatologist or orthopedist-traumatologist.

As a rule, to determine the sprain, it is enough for a specialist to visually look at the injured place, palpate and take an anamnesis.. But still, for the final confirmation of the diagnosis, diagnostic manipulations, for example, ultrasound diagnostics or computed tomography, can be prescribed.. Only after that the doctor prescribes a complete treatment.. As a rule, the recovery period is from 1 to 4 weeks.

How to relieve sprain pain at home. This will help avoid complications and speed up the recovery process.. Immediately after an injury, use a restraint such as an elastic bandage or a splint. If there is nothing suitable at hand, you can take a regular cloth or gauze. Apply a fixing bandage at the sprained area.

Consider what to do with a sprain to reduce pain:.

A cold compress can help relieve pain at home.. To cool the injured area, you can use ice or frozen foods, after wrapping them in a cloth.. If there is nothing suitable nearby, place an arm or leg (depending on the location of the injury) in ice water. The compress must be applied for 10-15 minutes. This method will prevent or reduce the manifestation of edema and bruising..

It is recommended to keep the damaged area on a hill. When the body is in a horizontal position, a twisted roller of a towel, a pillow, a bedspread, etc., should be placed under it..

Provide maximum rest to the damaged area. Try to limit physical activity until the pain subsides..

After 2 to 5 days (depending on the severity), gradually start massaging the injured area. This will lead to improved blood circulation and speed up the process of tissue repair..

As soon as the pain begins to subside, proceed to physical therapy. Develop ligaments gradually, start with light exercises and do not overdo it. If acute pain is observed during exercise therapy, postpone this exercise for another couple of days. It is advisable to see a doctor.

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