Sprains and strains are common soft tissue injuries. Most of us will experience a strain or a sprain at some point. In this first aid blog post we’ll take a closer look at the first aid treatment for sprains and strains as well as discussing the difference between these two types of injury.

Sprains

Sprains involve the over-extension of a joint, usually with partial rupture of the ligaments in the joint. There may also be blood vessel, nerve or tendon damage. Like a fracture, severe ligament damage may require subsequent immobilization in a plaster cast.

Signs and Symptoms of a Sprain

• Sudden pain in the joint
• Loss of power and ability to put weight through the joint
• Bruising
• Swelling
• Area becomes tender (painful to press on)

First Aid Treatment

• RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
• Seek medical aid for assessment of ligament damage

Strains

Strains involve over-stretching of the major muscles or tendons and occur when the fibers of a muscle or tendon are over-stretched and tear. This injury is usually less severe than a sprain, but can still have complications if not managed correctly.

Signs and Symptoms of a Strain

• Pain, worse on movement
• An audible ‘crack’ may be heard as the tendon parts from the bone
• Tenderness, discomfort when weight bearing
• Swelling, if near joint

First Aid Treatment

• RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
• Avoid stretching or massaging the injured limb for 24 hours
• When the pain subsides, start activity slowly and in moderation
• If pain persists, seek professional medical advice

RICE Treatment for Sprains and Strains

RICE is a first aid acronym used to remember the treatment of soft tissue injuries in first aid.

RICE stands for:

• Rest. Resting the injured area helps reduce bleeding and swelling.
• Ice helps to limit inflammation and reduce pain by causing the blood vessels to constrict, restricting the amount of fluid and swelling in the injured part.
• Compression. Wrapping the injured part with tape or an elastic bandage helps limit swelling by reducing blood flow to the injured part.
• Elevation. Raising the injured part reduces blood flow & subsequent painful swelling.