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Soft tissue injuries (sprains, strains)
🦴 Soft Tissue Injuries (Sprains & Strains)
A sprain = minor damage to a ligament. A strain = minor damage to a muscle or tendon. Both are very common in sports, falls, and everyday activity.
📋 About
- Sprains usually affect joints (e.g. ankle, knee, wrist) where ligaments are overstretched or torn.
- Strains involve overstretching or tearing of muscle fibres or tendons (e.g. hamstring strain, back strain).
- Both conditions cause pain, swelling, bruising, and temporary loss of function - but rarely permanent damage.
🛠️ Management (PRIC(E) Principles)
- 🛡️ Prevent / Protect: Avoid further injury by stopping the activity and supporting the joint.
- 🛏️ Rest: Short period of rest initially, but encourage gradual return to normal activity as symptoms allow.
- ❄️ Ice: Apply wrapped ice packs for 15–20 minutes at a time during the first 48 hours to reduce swelling. Do not place ice directly on skin.
- 🩹 Compression: May reduce swelling, but prolonged use can delay regaining full mobility - use cautiously.
- 🦵 Elevation: Elevate the affected limb to reduce swelling and pain.
- 💊 Analgesia: Paracetamol 1 g QDS + Ibuprofen 400 mg TDS for up to 7 days (if no contraindications). Review pain regularly.
- 📉 Symptoms may worsen slightly at first, then gradually improve with time.
- ⏳ Recovery: Most soft tissue injuries resolve within 4–6 weeks, but some may take longer.
- 🏃♀️ Rehabilitation: Physiotherapy can speed recovery, improve strength, and prevent recurrence.
💡 Clinical Pearls
- 🔎 Always check for red flags - inability to bear weight, severe deformity, suspected fracture → may need imaging.
- ⚖️ Encourage early movement once pain allows to avoid stiffness and chronic weakness.
- ⛑️ Most sprains/strains have an excellent prognosis with conservative care.
| The content on this website is provided for educational and informational purposes only to support exam preparation (e.g., MLA, MRCP, USMLE) and learning. This is NOT medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional guidance. It does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional, official guidelines (e.g., NICE, GMC, BNF), or supervised clinical practice. Always verify information with current, authoritative sources. Makindo and its contributors accept no liability for any reliance on this content, including errors, omissions, or any resulting harm, loss, or consequences. By using this site, you agree to these terms. |
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