It’s time. You have some new sneakers, a new sports bottle, a new sports bra, and you are ready to hit the road. Not 5 minutes into running, you have twisted your ankle. Now what?
Finding a sport orsome physical activities that you enjoy can be a great way to stay healthy and have fun. However, like with most things, physical activities will come at the risk of injury.
If this fear has come true for you, the best thing you can do is to be ready to address a sports injury as soon as possible, as itwill be crucial for a swift recovery.
This piece will take a look at what you can do to help manage a sports injury, and get back to your favorite activities as quickly andsafely as possible.
Immediate First Aid
The moment you are faced with a sports injury, it is essential that you take immediate action to minimize any further damage and also alleviate any pain you are in.
The acronym R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) is commonly recommended as a first-aid approach:
- Rest- Your injured area needs time to heal, so this is where you avoid any strenuous activity and rest the affected body part. This can help prevent you from causing any more additional damage.
- Ice- Apply ice to the injured area to help reduce inflammation and provide pain relief. You can use a cold pack or ice wrapped in a cloth, then apply it for 15-20 minutes at a time, with breaks in between.
- Compression- Using a compression bandage or wrap can help you control swelling and provide support to the injured area. Just make sure not to wrap it too tightly as this could hamper blood circulation.
- Elevation- Elevating the injured body part above the level of your heart (if this is possible!) can help further reduce swelling. Use pillows or cushions for arms or legs.
Consult a Healthcare Provider
While first aidcan provide the very much-needed initial relief, it is essential that you consult a healthcare provider to find out what the damage is, and how you can treat it long term. They can help determine your injury’s severity and recommend appropriate steps to help aidyour recovery. In some cases, this might require X-rays or MRIs to help assess the extent of the damage.
Medication
It is likely that you will be recommended over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol if they are strong enough to manage pain and inflammation. For more extreme injuries, you may be prescribed something stronger.
With any luck, you won’t need to have surgery to correct your injury. However, there are alternatives such as a Regenexx procedure. Make sure you find out what your options are!
Rehabilitation Exercises
Once the acute phase of your injury is over and everything is stable is, your healthcare provider may recommend some rehabilitation exercises. These exercises are designed to restore strength, flexibility, and range of motion to your injured area.