What To Do When You Suffer A Sports Injury

A sports injury can occur at any moment from even the smallest movement. There is nothing like a sudden, unbearable pain to cause feelings of panic, but it is important to remain calm and take care of the injury right away. Below are tips to help you stay in control when you suffer a sports injury.

Rest

It is important to rest the sore area during the first 48 to 72 hours of injury. You may need to take a break from physical activity and change your routine for several days. Once the time of rest has passed, you can build up strength by moving or exercising the injured area.

Ice and Heat

You should only use ice within the first 48 to 72 hours to reduce the pain and swelling. You want to apply the ice three times a day for 10 to 20 minutes per application. Once the swelling has gone down, you can start applying heat to ease the pain and tension in your muscles. It is best to apply the heat several times a day for 20 minutes per application. You should never apply the ice or heat directly to your skin.

Compression

Wrap the injured area with an elastic bandage for 48 to 72 hours, and be careful not to wrap it too tightly because this may cause more swelling or pain in the area. Consult your doctor if you need to keep it bandaged for more than 72 hours.

Elevation

You need to elevate the injury above your heart to minimize the swelling, especially if the injury is in your hand or ankle. One idea is to elevate the injured area on several pillows whenever you are sitting or lying down. Do not forget to apply ice to the elevated area.

Consult The Doctor

If the pain or swelling does not go down within 72 hours, it is time to consult your doctor. Your doctor may refer you to Middletown Medical Imaging for an open MRI or digital x-ray. This way, your doctor can accurately diagnose and treat your sports injury.

The pain of a sports related injury may be too much to bear, but it is important to take care of the injury before it becomes worse. If you remain calm, consult a doctor and follow the above steps, you are sure to feel better before you know it.

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