18/03/2024
How to relieve ankle, knee, and wrist sprain pain
Sprain or distortion is one of the suddenly occurring soft tissue injuries. Joint sprains affect by far most commonly the ankle, knee, wrist, and fingers. How does a sprain occur, what symptoms are associated with it and how is it treated?
When can a sprain occur?
Soft tissue injury can occur quite easily. For example, it's enough to step on an uneven surface or make a sudden movement during sport and a sprain is a reality. What happens in the body when a sprain occurs? The joint head pops out of the socket and then returns to its original position. During a sprain, the ligaments can be affected to varying degrees, from light stretching to tearing. If the acetabulum does not return to the socket, dislocation occurs.
And what is the difference between strain and sprain? While sprain is a stretching or tearing of ligaments, strain is an injury to muscles or tendons.
What is an ankle sprain?
As we outlined above, an ankle sprain is an injury to the ligaments that connect the bones of the leg to the foot. We speak of a sprain when the ligaments in the ankle are stretched. If one or more bones in the ankle break, it is an ankle fracture. Anyone at any age can sprain their ankle. However, ankle sprains are more common in athletes and the injury can easily occur even when wearing high heeled shoes.
What are the symptoms of a sprained ankle?
How do you know if an ankle sprain has occurred? You will already feel severe pain at the time of injury, especially when you put weight on the ankle. You are also likely to develop swelling and bruising in the ankle area. An ankle sprain also causes difficulty walking.
Sprained ankle treatment
How to treat a sprained ankle at home?
First of all, experts recommend limiting the use of the injured ankle, and rest. Applying ice or a cold compress to the affected area can relieve the pain and reduce swelling. Elastic bandages, raising the leg above the level of the heart and, last but not least, anti-inflammatory ointments and gels such as Mobilat® Gel, which are also pain-relieving, are effective in reducing swelling. If the pain is very intense or persists for a long time, consult a doctor.
Symptoms and treatment of a sprained knee
The knees are the largest joints in the human body, allowing us to move, bend and stretch our legs. If the ligaments in the knee joint are stretched too far, it results in a knee sprain. Like a sprained ankle, a sprained knee presents with pain, swelling, instability, and reduced range of motion.
Home treatment of a sprained knee is, as in the case of a sprained ankle, based on icing, rest and compression. In exceptional cases, it requires surgery.
Sprained wrist and its treatment
In addition to ankle and knee sprains, wrist sprains can also occur. The wrist is supported by four ligaments. A strain or tear of the ligaments in the wrist can be caused, for example, by a sudden fall. However, a sprain can also occur, for example, from a strong blow to the hand.
Symptoms of a wrist sprain vary based on its severity. Moderate muscle strains or tears are associated with mild pain and sensitivity during movement. How to treat a sprained wrist? Again, the treatment consists of rest, icing, compression, and raising the arm to an elevated position.
How long does it take to treat sprained joints?
The healing time for sprained ankles, knees or wrists varies based on how severe the injury is. If the injury is mild, sprain treatment usually takes one to three weeks, recovery for moderate injuries can take three to six weeks, and if the sprain is severe, treatment can take several months.
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