First Aid International

Sprains and Strains

Soft tissue injuries

  1. Sprains involve injury to the ligaments and surrounding soft tissues

  2. Strains involve injury to the muscles and tendons.

Treatment

  1. Rest

  2. Ice

  3. Compression

  4. Elevation.

If in doubt as to whether the casualty has a sprain, strain, fracture or dislocation – always treat the injury as a fracture and never apply a compression bandage over a suspected broken bone.

Management

REST - Decreases the pain.

ICE - This applied to the injury for no longer than 10 minutes at a time. Ensure there is a barrier between the ice and the skin. Ice helps to control the swelling and relieve pain.

COMPRESSION - A firm supportive figure 8 bandage is used to give even pressure over the injured area.

ELEVATION - This reduces swelling as it slows the bleeding.

© First Aid International 2002

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