What first aid is given for a sprain and what for a sprain?

Ligament and muscle sprains can occur at any age. The time of treatment and the risk of complications depend on competently provided first aid. Trauma brings many negative symptoms and requires long-term treatment. It is important not to get confused and act clearly. Let's consider what first aid should be provided for sprained ligaments and muscles.

What first aid is given for a sprain and what for a sprain?

Detailed solution to paragraph 9 in biology for 9th grade students, authors A.G.
Dragomilov, R.D. Mash 2015 What is the composition of bone tissue? Which of its components give bones hardness and which give strength? Why, in your opinion, is a bone fracture dangerous?

• Bone tissue consists of organic and inorganic substances. Hardness is imparted by inorganic substances, while flexibility and elasticity are imparted by organic substances.

• A bone fracture is always dangerous and painful, no matter what is broken: a leg, a collarbone, and even more so a spine. After all, bones are our skeleton, the foundation on which the body with all its organs is based, and its violation is fraught with dangers, for example, mobility may be impaired or tissues and even organs may be torn due to a fracture.

1. What first aid is given for a sprain, and what first aid for a sprain?

A sprain is an injury to the ligaments that connect the bones in a joint. Sprains especially often occur when the foot rolls in. Severe pain and swelling appear in the ankle joint area, and swelling may even develop. When providing first aid for injuries, you should tightly bandage the joint so that the foot is perpendicular to the shin, and then apply ice. After this, you need to go to the emergency room. Awkward, sudden movements can cause severe displacement of the bones in the joint - dislocation. When a dislocation occurs, the head of one bone comes out of the socket of the other. The ligaments are sprained and, in some cases, the joint capsule is ruptured. When a dislocation occurs, the shape of the joint changes and the limb loses mobility. Dislocation is accompanied by severe pain. To assist the patient, it is necessary to apply a splint. To relieve pain, it is advisable to apply a plastic bag with ice or cold water to the site of the sprain, after wrapping them in a towel. Then the victim must be urgently taken to a medical facility. Reduction of bones in case of dislocation can only be performed by a surgeon.

2. What signs suggest the presence of a bone fracture?

With strong impacts, bones often break. Fractures can be open or closed. Open fractures damage not only the bones, but also the muscles and skin. This is very dangerous; pathogenic microbes can enter the wound. Fractures are accompanied by severe pain, which intensifies when attempting to move. In these cases, first of all, it is necessary to provide rest to the damaged area of ​​the body.

3. What should be done for open and closed fractures?

First aid for injuries should ensure gentle transportation of the victim to the emergency room. Only a doctor can provide professional assistance. Immobility of injured limbs is ensured by a splint; pain reduction is achieved by exposure to cold. For open injuries, first stop the bleeding and disinfect the wound, then apply a bandage and only after that resort to cold, and in case of damage to the extremities, splinting.

4. In what cases is a splint used? How is it applied?

It is important to remember that in all cases of fractured limbs or even suspected fractures, it is necessary to apply a splint to the injured limb and take the patient to the hospital. Splinting is a temporary measure. The tire can be made from available materials (sticks, boards, cardboard, etc.). First, the injured limb is wrapped in soft cloth, then a splint is applied and bandaged to the limb. To ensure bone immobility, the splint must grip the joints above and below the fracture. The leg is bandaged to the healthy leg or a blanket bolster, and the broken arm is bandaged to the body, for example, using a scarf or jacket hem.

5. What to do in case of chest injury; heads; spine?

If the spine is damaged, the patient is placed face down on a hard board (sheet of plywood, board) and taken to the hospital only in a supine position. It is impossible to sit down or carry a victim with a suspected spinal fracture, because the bones can become dislodged and pinch the nerves or damage the spinal cord, and this can lead to complete disability. The victim should be transported in a horizontal position, trying not to disturb the position in which he is located. In case of a fracture of the skull bones, the victim is laid down with his head slightly elevated and maximum rest is created. If there is a wound, it is treated and a sterile bandage is applied. An ice pack is placed on the head over the bandage. If the ribs are damaged, a wide bandage is applied to the chest; if the tightness is broken, the bandage must be made of an airtight material so that air cannot enter the chest cavity, otherwise the victim will not be able to breathe through this lung. The bandage is applied after the patient exhales deeply. For open fractures, you first need to stop the bleeding, treat the wound, and apply a sterile bandage. Then it is necessary to ensure the immobility of the damaged area of ​​the body.

Using a compress, bandage, splint

For sprains, cooling compresses are used. They help reduce tissue swelling, prevent subcutaneous hemorrhages, and reduce pain. Dry ice works well for this. You can use any items from the refrigerator, but you should cover them with a cloth to prevent your skin from getting hypothermic.

One month after the injury, the sprain is considered chronic. There is no longer any need to relieve inflammation. The sore spot needs moist, warm compresses. Damaged ligaments or muscles are in a state of spasm. For relaxation, compresses with soothing herbs and essential oils are used.

When spraining ligaments and muscles, it is important to provide complete rest to the damaged areas. Bandages and splints help with this.

1. Fixation must be achieved as quickly as possible. The best option would be an elastic bandage, because it has the required width and elasticity.
2. A regular bandage will also work; a compression tubular bandage will help secure it.
3. If there are no special medical materials at hand, then any fabric will do. It could be a scarf or scarf. You need to wrap the damaged area tightly several times, there is no need to tie the ends, it is better to pin it with a pin.

The splint allows you to maintain immobility when you receive a 3rd degree sprain. When a ligament or muscle fiber is completely torn, the victim experiences severe pain due to swelling and numerous bruises. It is difficult to immediately determine whether it is a sprain or a fracture.

You can make a splint from available material; in extreme cases, bandage the limb to a healthy leg (if a leg is injured) or to the torso (if an arm is injured). It is necessary to urgently transport a person with such injuries to a medical facility.

What is stretching and how is it obtained?

Unlike a closed fracture, a sprain damages the tissue around the joint or ligament, not the bone. Although the signs of both injuries are similar, they are even confused during the initial diagnosis.

• The victim experiences severe sharp pain. With a fracture, it does not go away, but with a sprain, timely provision of first aid can significantly reduce the pain syndrome.
• A swelling or hematoma quickly forms at the site of injury. The skin changes color - cyanosis, bruising may appear, and in some cases, paleness of the skin may occur.
• The movement of the joint is limited, and when trying to move the injured limb, the pain intensifies.

It is easy to get injured simply by slipping or tripping. Any awkward or sudden movements can lead to a sprain, as can playing sports without observing technique, safety, or with uncontrolled excess loads.

The most common injuries are to the knee, ankle, and wrist; the elbow and groin areas are often affected.

How do you know if it's a sprain?

A sprain is an injury that anyone can experience. You jumped off the curb unsuccessfully, or landed on your elbow when falling, or hit the basketball too energetically, or even just yawned too widely... A dull click (however, against the backdrop of suddenly arising fresh and more than unpleasant sensations, not everyone notices it) - and what- it jammed.

First of all, don't panic. Perhaps the painful sensation is just a muscle spasm caused by a blow, or, say, a sprain. Unpleasant, but relatively safe. So take a deep breath (this will help reduce the pain) and look at the affected part of the body.

A dislocation is the displacement of bones in a joint.

Depending on the degree of displacement, external manifestations may differ. But overall it doesn't matter. Remember just four symptoms of Dislocation. For any of them, you need to go to a traumatologist as soon as possible!

1. The affected joint looks strange - for example, the bone acquires an unnatural angle of inclination.
2. The joint has increased in size, there is swelling, and the skin over this area has changed color - it has turned red or, on the contrary, has become waxy-pale.
3. You feel severe pain in the joint area. Another option is numbness: if the nerve endings were damaged during the dislocation, loss of sensation may occur.
4. You cannot move the bones in the affected joint. For example, bend or straighten a bruised finger or close a “jammed” jaw. And if you succeed, it is with great difficulty and through an attack of acute pain.

Rehabilitation after injury

Recovery from sprains requires a long period of time. The gap heals completely only in young years. For rehabilitation of sprains the following is used:

• drug therapy;
• physiotherapy;
• physiotherapy

The duration of rehabilitation depends on the degree of sprain, the age of the victim, and competently provided first aid.

Use of medications

Medicines help reduce pain and swelling and improve the patient’s condition:

1. For pain relief, ointments Indomethacin, Salvisar, Voltaren are used.
2. Reduce the inflammatory process with the help of drugs Prolide, Ortofen, Xefocam.
3. Warming drugs Menovazin, Capsicam, Apizartron show good results. They are applied only after swelling has been removed.
4. Angioprotectors are necessary for treatment - Aexin, Troxevasin, Venorutan.
5. Absorbable agents must be prescribed - Heparin ointment, Hepatrombin, Venolife.

Physiotherapy

To restore mobility and improve the movement of blood and lymph, it is necessary to use physiotherapy:

• electrophoresis;
• cryotherapy;
• UHF;
• ultrasound;
• amplipulse therapy;
• magnetic currents.

The doctor makes the appointments. Physiotherapy helps prevent the development of complications, for example, in case of an injury to the ankle joint, they accelerate tissue fusion and prevent lameness.

Specialized exercises

Physical therapy classes begin with the doctor's permission. Without movement, ligaments and muscle fibers will be replaced by connective tissue, this will provoke restrictions in movement. On average, classes begin a month after the injury. Yoga and swimming help a lot.

In the first days you need to study only with an instructor. Then you can conduct classes at home according to the recommendations of the trainer.

Exercises can improve blood circulation in the damaged area, restore mobility, strengthen ligaments and muscles. If pain occurs when performing a set of exercises, then stop the exercises and postpone the classes to the next day.

Exercises are selected individually for each specific case, taking into account age, health, and physical capabilities.

What not to do if you have a sprain

If you suspect a dislocation, never make these common mistakes.

Don't expect it to go away on its own

Dislocation is the closest relative of fracture. Even if the bones are still intact, the displacement could damage blood vessels and nerves. The same nerves may “heal”, but will remind you of the injury for years with aching pain, or even a serious limitation of mobility in the affected joint.

Don't try to straighten a sprain yourself

First of all, because you may not have a dislocation, but a fracture. The symptoms of these injuries are very similar Dislocation, and it is sometimes possible to distinguish one from the other only with the help of x-rays. Trying to set broken bones will only increase the damage.

Don't slow down

A dislocation is always accompanied by swelling, and often also internal bleeding. The more time passes since the injury, the more fluid accumulates near the joint and the more difficult it will be to reduce it. So don’t hesitate - run to the emergency room. If you can’t “run”—for example, your leg is injured—don’t hesitate to call an ambulance.

Using plasters for bruises and sprains

Treatment methods for ligament tears include the use of tape for bruises and sprains. Previously, it was used exclusively for sports injuries. But after its high effectiveness was revealed, orthopedists and traumatologists began to actively use the patch.

The main advantages of tape include the following:

• It is convenient to use; after application, the tape is not felt on the surface of the limb;
• a person can calmly continue to move and perform any actions, and the patch will be on the damaged area and exert its therapeutic effect;
• The patch is invisible under clothing and does not come off even with prolonged use.

However, only a specialist should apply the patch; only he knows the correct technology for applying it. Under no circumstances should you secure it yourself.

How to provide first aid for a sprain

1. Provide maximum immobility to the affected joint: do not bend your knees, elbows, fingers, do not move your jaw...

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2. Apply something cold to the injured area - a bag of ice or frozen vegetables (don't forget to wrap it in a thin cloth), a heating pad with ice water. Cold will stop the development of swelling and reduce pain.

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3. Take an ibuprofen or paracetamol based pain reliever.

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4. And hurry to the doctor!

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How will a dislocation be treated?

Treatment begins with a medical examination. A traumatologist or surgeon will most likely send you for an x-ray to make sure that it is a dislocation and not a fracture or cracked bone. In some cases, an MRI may be required: the tomography will help the physician evaluate damage to the soft tissue around the joint.

Further actions depend on what exactly the doctor finds. Most often, treatment includes the following points.

The doctor will try to straighten the joint

That is, return the shifted bones to the correct position. This procedure is quite painful, so anesthesia may be required - local or even general.

Surgery may be needed

They resort to it if it was not possible to cope with the dislocation manually. Surgery is also prescribed for significant damage to nerves, blood vessels and ligaments or repeated dislocations in the same area.

You will have to immobilize the joint for a while

Once the bones have returned to their natural position, the surgeon can immobilize the joint by placing a splint or sling on it. How long you will have to wear this “harness” - several days or several weeks - depends on the degree of damage to the joint, nerves, blood vessels and soft tissues.

Features of using an elastic bandage

When considering the question of how to cure a ligament rupture, it is worth paying attention to immobilization. This procedure can be performed using an elastic bandage. It will help immobilize the injured limb and fix it in the correct position.

To improve the effect and speed up recovery, it is worth additionally using medicinal ointments and compresses. They will also help eliminate discomfort and alleviate the condition of the victim.

The basic rules for using an elastic bandage include the following:

• It is better to apply an elastic bandage in the morning. It is at this time that swelling is not very pronounced;
• if the application will be performed at another time of the day, then the patient should rest for 15-20 minutes before the procedure. In this case, the injured limb should remain elevated;
• The bandage should be applied evenly, with light tension. When applying the bandage, no folds should form;
• turns must be made with an overlap of the previous one by a third of the width. Clearances are allowed;
• the edges of the bandage should begin and end approximately 20 cm from the damaged area.

What is a joint

A joint is a connection of bones that allows movement in a limb. The joint is formed by the articular ends of two bones, covered with cartilage tissue, which absorbs and softens friction during movement. Sometimes there is additional cartilage in the joint as a kind of cushion, for example the meniscus in the knee joint. The joint parts of the bones are enclosed in the so-called articular capsule, inside which there is synovial fluid. The joint also includes ligaments that firmly connect its components to each other. Thus, the joint is a very durable structure that can withstand heavy loads.

How does a dislocation form, its diagnostic signs

Dislocation occurs when a joint is subjected to a sudden and excessive force, usually in a direction that is unusual for movement in that joint. In this case, the articular part of the bone comes out of its anatomically correct position, and the joint capsule may be damaged, ligaments and blood vessels may be torn, and nerve endings may be compressed and damaged.

The most common dislocations occur (in descending order): finger, shoulder, foot, elbow, temporomandibular joint, knee, hip joint.

Before you begin to provide first aid for a dislocation, you need to make sure that there are symptoms.

Signs that a dislocation has occurred are:

Sharp pain in the joint;

Unnatural position of the limb;

Impossibility of movement in the joint or a sharp limitation of its mobility, increased pain when trying to move.

As a rule, when a joint is dislocated, it changes shape, which is especially noticeable in people of thin build. Also, traumatic edema often occurs due to damage to blood vessels, and sometimes the release of synovial fluid from the joint capsule.

A dislocation differs from less dangerous injuries, such as a sprain or bruise, in that the symptoms described above do not increase gradually, but appear immediately after the injury. If you are not sure what kind of injury occurred, it is better to assume a more severe version and provide the first aid required for a dislocation. If it later turns out that the diagnosis was wrong and a sprain actually occurred, this will not have any negative consequences. It is much more dangerous to underestimate an injury.

How to properly stretch muscles

Stretching is needed to prevent spasms of injured ligaments and muscles. You should perform small stretching exercises as early as the third day after the injury. You need to stretch for 15 seconds 2-3 times a day. It should be performed while taking a deep breath. If there are chronic injuries, then they also need to be stretched, but by increasing the duration of action to 30 seconds, the frequency of repetitions also increases to 3-5 times.

If the stretching is performed correctly, then the next day there is no pain in this area. If discomfort occurs, you need to reduce the intensity - muscle overstrain occurs.

Providing first aid for a sprain

Probably everyone has heard that a dislocation can be treated by reduction.
However, not everyone knows that it is strictly not recommended for a non-specialist to do this, since inept actions can significantly aggravate the injury, and in severe cases lead to complete destruction of the joint and subsequent disability. If the nature of the injury suggests a dislocation, the patient should be taken to the emergency room or trauma department of the hospital as quickly as possible. There they will take an x-ray of the limb to confirm the preliminary diagnosis and provide assistance.

Pre-medical assistance consists of the following:

1. The joint must be immobilized, and – Attention! - in the position in which he is after the injury. There is no need to straighten the limb or rotate it. To fix the joint, a splint is applied, just as for a fracture. If a dislocation of the hip joint occurs, the victim must be laid down, the injured leg bandaged to the healthy one and transported in a lying position on a rigid stretcher or an object that replaces it;
2. Apply an ice pack or other cold object (such as a bottle of water from the refrigerator, etc.) to the affected joint to reduce swelling;
3. You can give the victim a pain reliever. Analgin, Paracetamol, Nimesil or any other analgesic will do. It should be remembered that if there is no acute pain, then there is no need to take an analgesic, since complete anesthesia may complicate diagnosis;

Take the victim to the nearest hospital or emergency room, or wait for an ambulance to arrive.

Medical classification

Content:

• Medical classification
• What you should pay attention to?
• How to distinguish a sprain from a fracture?
• First aid
• When can you not do without a doctor?

The classic cause of a sprain is sudden body movements that exceed the standard amplitude and do not coincide with the natural direction of the joint. The same thing happens if a person holds his limbs in a state of overexertion for too long. This is typical for monotonous, repetitive actions.

It is not for nothing that people who are involved in sports activities on a professional basis, or those who engage in physical labor on a daily basis, are most susceptible to this injury.

Despite the fact that ruptures are traditionally considered to be side effects of sports, they occur in those who do physical exercises incorrectly, even just while exercising. Even an everyday routine like moving furniture can be the root cause of the problem.

It is believed that the legs are most often subject to such injuries. Even ordinary walking in uncomfortable shoes or too high heels can lead to a sad outcome. Due to the fact that this kind of injury to the foot and other parts of the body is a common occurrence, doctors insist that every person must be able to recognize that something is wrong and help themselves.

As with fractures, there are several options for classifying injuries. The first sorting is based on the degree of damage. In everyday life, the easiest scenarios for the development of events are most often recorded, the neutralization of which can be handled even by a victim who is far from medicine.

Schematically, categories for injuries of this type can be divided into three degrees of severity:

1. First. It is characterized by a small area of ​​damage, as it affects the loss of integrity of a minimum number of fibers. Despite this, pain will still be present, as well as subsequent discomfort during the recovery stage. When providing assistance, it is worth remembering that the most important thing is prompt action. This is the only way to avoid significant restrictions on physical activity.
2. Second. A special feature is a partial rupture, which is accompanied by a significant pain syndrome that cannot simply be “endured.” Additionally, the affected area begins to swell and become covered with extensive bruises. The victim himself can hardly move the damaged part of his body.
3. Third. The ligament has undergone complete rupture, as evidenced by acute pain and pronounced swelling. It becomes impossible to make any movement with the damaged part, and the area affected by hematomas covers a huge area.

Regardless of the specific severity level of the patient, he should be helped to avoid serious complications in the future. Any presentation or medical manual will confirm this truth.

Separately, experts consider the types of lesions, basing their sorting on a specific area of ​​the body. Despite the fact that pre-medical care may be needed for ligaments in any place where they are present, the following areas are most often subject to deformation: ankle, knee, elbow, wrist, shoulder, clavicular.

The principle of emergency measures for the ankle and shoulder remains the same. The only difference can be in the method of applying the fixing bandage.

But this is more typical of providing qualified medical support already in the hospital department after diagnosing the deviation using instrumental methods.

Joint injuries: sprains and dislocations.

“Long-term non-healing wounds” are wounds that other doctors try to stay away from, often leaving the patient alone with his problem. And not only because this is a serious problem for the healthcare of any country, both from an economic point of view (in the USA, for example, annual costs reach $9 billion) and in terms of the time spent by medical personnel (annually long-term non-healing wounds of various etiologies develop in almost 2.5 million patients in the world). This is a serious challenge for any surgeon, since treating a long-term non-healing wound is a long and thorny path that requires patience, endurance, high professional skill and knowledge.

Long-term non-healing wound - what is it?

First, let's figure it out - what is a “long-term non-healing wound”? You will be surprised, but there is no definite concept. You can find different definitions: trophic ulcer, complex or chronic wound. There is also no consensus on the period of time after which an ordinary wound can be considered non-healing for a long time? Some researchers consider such a wound to be one that does not heal for more than 4 weeks, others give a time period of 6 weeks, and others - 8 weeks. A good definition of such a wound was given by specialists from the European Society for Tissue Repair:

A “long-term non-healing wound” does not heal within the time period that is usual for healing of wounds of a similar type or location.

Causes of hard-to-heal wounds

There are a great many reasons for the appearance of such wounds. And if the doctor manages to figure it out and find the only reason that is preventing the wound from healing, he will be able to cure it. Very reminiscent of the saying of Archimedes: “Give me a point of support, and I will move the earth.”

All the main reasons for the existence of long-term non-healing wounds are divided into two large groups: internal and external.

The cold weather is approaching, and with it icy conditions, which means that the chance of injury increases significantly. We must always remember that injuries accompanied by damage to muscles, ligaments, and joints occur not only in people when playing sports, but also in everyday life - this is where everyone remembers the proverb: if only I knew where to fall, I would have laid down straws. This is why elastic bandages are in high demand during the cold season.

Fortunately, fractures are quite rare. The most common joint injuries are sprains, ligament tears and dislocations. We'll talk about them.

Prevention of sprains

You can protect yourself from sprains by following these recommendations:

• for everyday wear, choose comfortable shoes;
• wear protective orthopedic products when engaging in active sports;
• exercise and move actively to maintain muscles and ligaments in good condition;
• avoid excessive physical activity;
• on a slippery road you need to be attentive and careful, and take your time.

If you suspect a sprain, you should contact a traumatologist and do not self-medicate.

Sprain

What is a sprain? What does the doctor mean when he makes this diagnosis for you?

A sprain means a rupture of the ligaments, usually small, at the level of some fibers. Sometimes the damage can be significant, even to the point of complete rupture. This happens when tension occurs in the joint with a force that exceeds the ability of the ligaments to stretch. Remember what interesting “movements” a person makes if he suddenly slips on ice! Most often, sprains occur in the wrist and ankle joints.

It is worth noting that ligament ruptures can be combined with dislocations and fractures, so in any case, see a doctor and let a specialist take a look.

There are two main causes of ligament rupture: – as a consequence of injury; – due to pathological changes in ligament tissue, for example, due to aging or wear.

When to see a doctor

With proper treatment and care, sprains heal in 2 weeks. The use of special ointments and gels shows good results. Their anti-inflammatory effect reduces the risk of complications.

But there are situations when it is necessary to seek additional medical help:

• the pain does not decrease even under the influence of medications;
• chills are felt, the temperature has risen;
• there was already an injury at this place;
• movement in the damaged area is not restored;
• symptoms of damage intensify;
• a fracture is suspected (a crunch was heard during the injury);
• numbness at the site of injury;
• the pain lasts longer than three days.

Symptoms of a Sprain

First of all, it is a sharp pain, after which you immediately realize that movements in the joint are limited, you can no longer run or even walk. Then swelling and hematoma appear, a feeling of numbness or tingling in the area of ​​damage.

There are several degrees of ligament damage:

• I degree – preservation of the integrity of the ligament, but there are ruptures of individual fibers. In this case, slight swelling, slight pain and limited joint mobility occur.
• II degree – partial damage to the ligaments, multiple fiber ruptures. The second degree is characterized by noticeable swelling. Movement is very limited and accompanied by severe pain.
• III degree - complete rupture of the ligaments, accompanied by severe swelling, pain and bruising (hematoma). Movement is very difficult and there is a feeling that the joint has a life of its own and becomes extremely unstable.

Causes

First aid for a torn ligament is important. But still, you first need to understand what reasons can cause injury. It is worth remembering that any joint can be damaged. For this reason, it is important to consider the main types of sprains and their factors:

• knee sprain. This injury occurs when the shin is twisted or during a direct blow to the kneecap. During this condition, there is sharp pain, increased sensitivity, and limited mobility;
• sprained or torn ankle ligaments. Occurs when a foot falls or twists. This damage is accompanied by difficulties in moving the joint; tissue swelling and pain may be observed in the sprained area;
• wrist sprain. It is observed with a sharp, strong bend of the hand. Acute pain spreads throughout the entire area of ​​the wrist joint, the hand may swell greatly, and the injured limb has limited motor functions;
• sprain of the sternoclavicular joint. Occurs when falling on an outstretched arm. During this injury, sharp pain occurs. When light pressure is applied to the collarbone, a slight deformation of the ligaments appears;
• sprain in the hip area. This injury occurs with sudden and strong twisting. The victim experiences severe cutting pain and crunching in the area of ​​injury.

First aid for sprains

The first thing to do when you sprain a ligament is to apply a cold object (ice pack) for 20 minutes, which must be changed periodically, bandage the joint, and take a pain reliever. To apply a fixing bandage to the joint, use an elastic cohesive bandage Tens

Technique for applying a “Figure Eight” fixation bandage to the wrist joint:

Make two rounds of the bandage around your wrist.

1. Run the bandage diagonally across the back of your hand between your thumb and index finger, then back to your wrist.
2. Wrap the bandage around your wrist again, making the wrap slightly higher.
3. Each subsequent turn of the bandage must overlap the previous one by at least half the width of the bandage.
4. The bandage ends with fixing turns slightly above the wrist joint.
5. The last round of the bandage should completely cover the penultimate one.
6. Press the bandage with your hand for better fixation.

Technique for applying a “Figure Eight” fixation bandage to the ankle joint:

1. Make several rounds of the bandage around your foot.
2. Run the bandage diagonally across the outside of your foot and around the bottom of your shin.
3. Again, pass the bandage diagonally towards the foot.
4. Continue bandaging the joint, overlapping each next turn, overlapping the previous one by at least half the width of the bandage.
5. Finish the bandage by making a few locking turns of the bandage just above the ankle joint.
6. The last round of the bandage should completely cover the penultimate one.
7. Press the bandage with your hand for better fixation.

This is the best option for first aid. But if you are injured on the street, and there is no bandage, ice pack or painkiller at hand, remember the main thing: keep the joint at rest, try not to move it. You can secure the damaged joint from above with a belt, scarf, etc. If it is the ankle joint, try to elevate the injured limb. Everything else can be left for later, after visiting the doctor.

Remember that for grades I and II sprains, surgical treatment is not performed. Surgical treatment is necessary only in case of ligament rupture and then only according to strict indications. If you start treating a sprain on time, you can avoid complications such as myositis and impaired joint mobility.

But you will have to get sick for up to 2-5 weeks, depending on the degree of damage.

What you will need for first aid

To properly provide first aid in the event of a sprain, you must have in your first aid kit regular and compression bandages, painkillers, as well as a cooling pack, which can be replaced with the following available means:

• cold accumulator for thermal bag;
• pieces of ice from the freezer, tied in a bag;
• finely chopped frozen vegetables;
• bag of snow;
• a heating pad filled with cold water.

It is desirable that the cooling agent can easily take any shape for better fit to the injured area. An elastic and simple bandage, as well as a cooling pack, should always be in your home, office, or car first aid kit in order to be able to provide first aid for a sprain as soon as the need arises. In case of open wounds, you need to have sterile dressing material. Also, to immobilize the injured limb, splints may be needed, which can be replaced with any oblong-shaped objects at hand.