Self-Care at Home - Minor injuries that have only slight pain can be treated at home. If the source of the pain and the cause of the pain are not known, or if symptoms suggest you might have a more serious condition, you should contact your doctor while initiating basic care measures.
- Pain control: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can help control swelling and pain.
- Rest: Use the injured area as little as possible for the first 2-3 days, then slowly begin to exercise the injured area. This speeds recovery.
- Ice: Place the ice in a plastic bag, wrap the bag with a towel, and then apply to the injured area for 15-20 minutes every hour. Directly applying ice can damage the skin.
- Heat: Do not use heat in the first week because it can increase the swelling in the injured area and worsen your pain.
- Elevation: Elevation of the injured area above your heart helps the swelling go down. This reduces your pain. Use pillows to prop yourself up.
Medical Treatment - A treatment plan will be developed after a complete history and physical examination (and any tests, if indicated). Treatment options vary for each condition. Clearly, a simple strain is treated far differently than a heart attack. If you have a minor sprain or strain, then you can expect a combination of the following treatments:
- Instructions: To rest and elevate the injured area. Continued use of the injured area may not necessarily make the injury worse, but it can prolong the symptoms. In most cases, limited use is acceptable within normal ranges of motion and without weight or strain.
- Immobilization: Possibly a splint, cast, or sling. It is very important to follow your doctor's instructions regarding the use of these devices, particularly when it is advised to discontinue the use and begin moving the area.
- Pain medications: Usually in the form of acetaminophen (Tylenol) with or without an anti-inflammatory medicine such as ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve). It may take several days to settle the pain down. Stronger narcotic-containing medicines are usually not necessary, but your doctor may provide these for the first few days.
- Hospital stay: If you are more severely injured. You may need to be admitted to the hospital for further testing or referred to an orthopedist (bone and joint specialist) for care.
