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One injury you may come across is when someone has fallen badly, and they suffer from a strain or a sprain.A strain happens when a muscle is overstretched or torn or where a tendon is connected to a muscle. You will see bruising, swelling and the patient will be in pain. A sprain is where the ligament is stretched or torn, a common area to be sprained is the ankle. Sprain’s are usually where there's been a sudden wrenching motion as the joint has been forced apart, damaging surrounding tissues. Ligaments hold joints together and tendons attach the muscles to the bone. Another injury could be where a muscle is torn. A typical example of this is a hamstring injury in the leg where muscle fibres get torn, causing severe pain and swelling.§The first aid treatment for strains and sprains is the same, so it's not that important that you identify what they are suffering from. The treatment we give is to try and reduce the swelling and pain.The treatment is easy to remember with the acronym RICE. R, rest the limb. I, apply ice to the limb to reduce the swelling. C, Provide Comfortable support. E, elevate the limb to reduce swelling. Now we will look at each of these points in more detail.First, make sure the scene is safe and the patient cannot come to any further harm.R - Rest. The first thing to do is to sit the person down or help them to sit or lay in a comfortable position. Keep the injured limb in a comfortable place supported, ideally elevated.I - Ice. Next, we need to cool the area using an ice pack, a cool pad or a chemical instant ice pack that has crystals in liquid. You squeeze it to break the liquid, shake it, and the resulting reaction will cool the pack down. Do not put ice or cool packs directly on the skin as this can burn the patient. Wrap it in a tea cloth or a triangular bandage to avoid direct contact with the skin.C - Provide Comfortable support. With this, you need to apply soft padding over the area and bandage using a conforming or crepe bandage. This is done over the cold compress to hold it in place. Do not apply this too tight, as this can because more pain and discomfort. Make sure it’s not too tight by checking their circulation every 10 minutes. This can be done with a capillary refill check pushing on the skin past the injured area for five seconds until it goes pale. If the colour doesn’t come back within two seconds, loosen, and reapply the bandage. It may also be an indication of a more serious injury that needs professional assistance.Finally, E - elevate. Here we need to elevate the limb to reduce the swelling. This could be on pillows, a bag, or a chair.The next problem you have is whether to move the patient or not. In the case of a wrist or an arm, you can usually put the arm in a horizontal sling and move them quite easily once initial treatment has taken place. Help them to their feet and walk them to get professional help. But take care, as it maybe they are in a lot of pain and they may feel faint, so let them get up slowly and give them help when needed.If they have a leg or ankle problem, moving them may be very difficult and you may need to call for help. The person will not be able to put weight on the area, so you must make sure that you do not accidentally get them to stand on it. If they are moved, once the limb is no longer elevated, swelling and pain can increase. It may be that you could help them to hop to a place of safety. If not, stay with them until help arrives.
Dealing with Strains, Sprains, and Muscle Tears: First Aid
Understanding Common Injuries
Strain: Occurs when a muscle is stretched or torn, often involving tendon damage. Symptoms include bruising, swelling, and pain.
Sprain: Involves stretching or tearing of ligaments, commonly seen in the ankle due to sudden joint wrenching. Damages surrounding tissues.
Muscle Tear: Such as hamstring injuries in the leg, involve torn muscle fibers, resulting in severe pain and swelling.
First Aid Treatment: RICE Method
Whether it's a strain or sprain, the initial first aid treatment is the same, focusing on reducing swelling and pain.
RICE Method:
- R - Rest: Help the person sit or lie down comfortably, supporting the injured limb.
- I - Ice: Apply a cold compress like an ice pack (wrapped in cloth) to reduce swelling.
- C - Comfortable Support: Apply soft padding and use a conforming or crepe bandage to secure the cold compress gently. Monitor circulation every 10 minutes.
- E - Elevate: Raise the injured limb using pillows, a bag, or a chair to further reduce swelling.
Note: Do not apply ice or cold packs directly to the skin to prevent burns.
Moving the Injured Person
Considerations for Moving:
In the case of a wrist or arm injury, you can usually place the arm in a horizontal sling and assist the person in moving once initial treatment is provided. Be cautious, as they may feel faint or experience significant pain. Help them stand up gradually.
For leg or ankle injuries, moving the person can be challenging, and you may need to call for assistance. Ensure they avoid putting weight on the affected area, as swelling and pain can worsen when the limb is no longer elevated.
If necessary, assist them in hopping to safety or stay with them until professional help arrives.