How To Treat Breaks, Sprains And Strains

Even if you follow all the proper safety protocols and use caution at every turn, accidents can happen. If you think you've broken a bone or sprained a ligament, you should see a doctor for a physical examination. If a broken bone is the result of a major trauma, you can see the bone, or you're experiencing severe bleeding, please call 911 immediately.

Banner-University Medicine Orthopedics Clinic offers a range of range of services to treat broken bones, sprains and strains. Banner also has five urgent care locations in Tucson, all of which are equipped with on-site X-ray and imaging tools to diagnose and begin care for your injury.

Every injury is unique, but there are some universal things you should know about what causes fractures, sprains and strains and how they should be cared for.

Fractures and breaks are the same thing.

These terms are used interchangeably because, put simply, a fracture is a broken bone. Per OrthoInfo, an informational site from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, a bone can be completely fractured or partially fractured in any number of ways (crosswise, lengthwise, or in multiple pieces). The severity of a fracture usually depends on the force that caused the break.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the most common causes of fractures are:

• Trauma — Falls, car accidents, sports injuries or even fights can result in fractures.
• Overuse — Repetitive motion can tire muscles and place more force on the bone, which can result in stress fractures.
• Osteoporosis — This disorder weakens the density and quality of bones, making them more likely to break.

Sprains are different than strains.

A sprain is the over-stretching and/or tearing of a ligament, which is the band of tissue that connects two bones together. A strain is the over-stretching or tearing of a muscle and/or a tendon, which is the fibrous cord of tissue that attaches muscles to the bone.

Per the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, most sprains and strains are soft-tissue injuries that fall into two categories:

• Acute injuries — These types of injuries are typically caused by sudden trauma, like a fall or twist.
• Overuse injuries — These injuries, common with athletes, occur gradually over time when an activity is repeated so often that areas of the body don't have enough time to heal between occurrences.

It can be difficult to tell if you're dealing with a break, a sprain or a strain.

Pain, swelling and bruising are common symptoms for multiple types of breaks, sprains and strains. When dealing with a fracture, you may actually hear the bone break or notice a visible deformity.

The only way to ensure an accurate diagnosis is to see a medical professional. When you go to the emergency room, a Banner urgent care facility or Banner-University Medicine Orthopedics Clinic, a doctor will perform a physical exam of the affected area. He or she also likely will use an X-ray to see if there are any signs of a fracture.

Treating breaks, sprains and strains takes time.

The prescribed treatment for your injury will depend on the type of fracture, sprain or strain, its location and the severity of the injury. Generally speaking, any of these injuries may require a prolonged amount of time to heal.

When it comes to broken bones, a plaster or fiberglass cast is the most common type of treatment.

According to American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, a plaster or fiberglass cast is the most common type of fracture treatment. The reason is the cast keeps broken bones in proper position while they heal.

Other treatments for breaks include:

• Functional cast or brace — The cast or brace allows for limited, controlled movement of nearby joints. This treatment is desirable for some, but not all, fractures.
• Traction — Traction is the process of slow, gentle pulling used to align a bone or bones. It is sometimes used in the early stages of healing or to stabilize fractures before surgery.
• External fixation — Often used with serious breaks caused by trauma, this surgical treatment consists of placing metal pins or screws into the broken bone above and below the fracture site. The pins or screws are then attached to a stabilizing frame on the outside of the skin.
• Open reduction and internal fixation — In this surgery, the broken bone fragments are repositioned in their proper alignment and then held together with special screws, pins, rods or plates attached to the outer surface of the bone. This surgery is used to fix severely broken bones that couldn't be treated with less invasive methods.

Sprains and strains typically have the same treatment protocol.

Treatment for most sprains and strains includes what's known as the RICE method. This protocol includes the following steps:

R — Rest: Stop doing the activity that caused your injury and rest the injured limb.

I — Ice: Apply an ice pack to the affected area for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day. Do not apply the ice directly to your skin.

C — Compression: Wear an elastic compression bandage to prevent additional swelling and blood loss.

E — Elevation: Raise the injured area of your body higher than the level of your heart to reduce swelling.

More severe injuries may require additional treatment. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, treatment for mild sprains includes RICE and sometimes physical therapy exercises. Moderate sprains often require a period of bracing, and the most severe sprains may require surgery to fix torn ligaments.

When treating a strain, the RICE method should be followed by simple exercises to help relieve pain and restore mobility. Surgery is sometimes required for more serious muscle or tendon tearing.

If you're dealing with an injury or suffering from chronic pain, Banner-University Medicine Orthopedics Clinic can help get you back to your highest level of mobility. Call 520-694-8000 to schedule your appointment today.

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Sources:
OrthoInfo: Fractures (Broken Bones)
OrthoInfo: Sprains, Strains and Other Soft-Tissue Injuries