Sprains occur when there is injury to ligaments. Ligaments connect bone to bone. The twisting motion that happens when a person has a sprain causes stretching, tearing or separation of a supporting ligament. Sprains can range from minor injuries, called grade I injuries up to complete rupture of ligaments, called grade III sprains.
Initial symptoms
When a patient has a sprain he may notice swelling and bruising developing during the first 24 hours after the injury. The bruising and swelling is caused from internal bleeding into the soft tissues around the injury. The area of the injury may feel warm to touch and the patient may have pain with movement or when bearing weight of the injured extremity. According to "Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine," it is possible to sustain a sprain that is significantly more severe than some fractures.
Healing Phase 1
According to "Practice Nurse" the first phase of healing is the inflammatory phase, which lasts up to four days. During this period there is the bleeding and swelling into the tissues. Inflammation occurs as a protective reaction of the tissues to irritation or injury. Inflammation needs to occur to in order for the healing process to start.
Phase 2
The second part of the healing process can last from four to 10 days. During this stage the repair of the damaged tissue takes place. New tissue is formed from collagen, a natural protein in the body. During this phase, it is important to protect the injury from any further stress.
Phase 3
The last part of the healing process can happen over a time frame of 10 days up to months following the initial injury. During this phase, the body remodels the new tissue that has been formed. As remodeling takes place, the strength of the injured site improves.
Treatment and Outcome
The primary treatment for sprains includes rest, ice, compression and elevation, commonly referred to as RICE. Rest is important in the first 48 hours after the injury. Ice, compression and elevation are all used to help to decrease the swelling. Most patients with a sprain return to normal activity within four to six weeks. The recovery time will also depend on the severity of the initial injury. Some patients will require physical therapy to gain full range of movement and strength back to the injured area.
References
- "Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine"; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2010
- "Practice Nurse"; Managing Sprains and Strains; Anscomb; March 2007
