Sprain First Aid PDF

« If you absolutely must roll the person because the person ts choking on blood or vomit or is in danger of further injury, use at least two people. Work together to keep the person's head, neck, and back aligned while rolling. Sprain: First Aid Ligaments are...

« If you absolutely must roll the person because the person ts choking on blood or vomit or is in danger of further injury, use at least two people. Work together to keep the person's head, neck, and back aligned while rolling. Sprain: First Aid Ligaments are the tough, elastic-like tissue that attach to your bones and hold your joints in place. A sprain is an injury to a ligament caused by excessive stretching. The ligament can have tears in it or it can be completely torn apart. Ankle and knee sprains occur most often. Sprained ligaments swell rapidly and are painful. Generally, the greater the pain, the more severe the injury. Follow the instructions for R.L.C.E.: « Rest the injured limb, but do not avoid all activity. « Ice the area. Use a cold pack or a slush bath to help limit swelling right after the injury. If ice is used, do not use it for too long as this could cause tissue damage. « Compress the area with a wrap or bandage. » Elevate the injured limb whenever possible to help prevent or limit swelling. After the first two days, gently begin using the injured area. You should feel a gradual, progressive improvement. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen may be helpful to manage pain during the healing process. Get emergency medical assistamce if: « Torn ligament: you heard a popping sound when the joint was injured; you can't use the joint; or you feel unstable when you try to bear weight on it. « Infection: you have a fever higher than 100° F and the area ts red and hot. * Severe sprain: inadequate or delayed treatment has caused long- term joint instability or chronic pain. « There is no improvement after 2 or 3 days. 142