Sprains
& Strains |
| Self-Help Supplies |
All of the supplies needed or necessary that
are mentioned in our rehab guidelines and rehab exercising self-help
programs are available in our Bookstore.
The terms sprain and strain refer to the injury and tearing
of the body's soft tissues.
More specifically a strain involves muscles and tendons.
And strains involve ligaments. The most common sites of
strains and sprains are located in and round the joints. |
| Functional Grading System |
Grade 1
Minimal pain and swelling
Stable Joint
Full range of motion
Pain-free weight bearing
Grade 2
Moderate pain and swelling
Subtle joint
Decreased range of motion and mild pain in muscle contraction
Difficulty in weight bearing and ambulation
Grade
3
Severe pain and swelling
Unstable joint
Minimal range of motion and moderate pain with muscle contraction
Inability to bear weight |
| Initial Action |
Follow The "RICES-S Rule" A
very effective successfully rule to guide you through a step-by-step
procedure to treat new injuries (acute) is called the "RICES-S
Rule". Each letter of the rule stands for an action or
actions you must immediately perform to successfully manage
the new injury. The management of shock is included in this
rule.
The rule is as follows:
RICES-S Rule
1. R = Rest (place the injury a state of physiological rest
& stay off of it)
2. I = Ice (apply cold therapy to the involved site)
3. I = Immobilization (movement or motion will worsen an existing
injury)
4. C = Compression (use a support wrap or elastic ace bandage)
5. E = Elevation (keep injury in a raised position allowing
gravity to help remove the swelling and edema)
6. S = treat for body’s shifts in electrical energy caused
by the shock (see below) S = correctly fit
a support product such as splint, crutches, etc. |
