How to treat sprains and/or strains

If this is an emergency, please call 000 immediately.

What is a sprain and a strain?

It can be difficult to tell whether an injury is a fracture, dislocation, sprain or strain. If in doubt, always treat as a fracture.

A sprain is an injury to the ligaments and capsule at a joint in the body. A strain is an injury to muscles or tendons.

This guide is regularly updated and aligns with the current edition of Australian First Aid (4th edition, 7/2011)

Signs and Symptoms

Sprain

      • Intense pain
      • Restricted movement of the injured joint
      • Rapid development of swelling and bruising

Strain

      • Sharp, sudden pain in the region of the injury
      • Usually loss of power
      • Muscle tenderness

 

What to do

Follow DRSABCD.

 

 

Follow RICE:

 

  • Rest – rest the patient and the injured part
  • Ice – apply an ice pack or cold pack for 15 minutes every 2 hours for 24 hours, then for 15 minutes every 4 hours for 24 hours
  • Compression – apply a compression bandage firmly to extend well beyond the injury
  • Elevation – elevate the injured part.

 

Avoid HARM:

 

  • Heat
  • Alcohol
  • Running or other exercise of the injured area
  • Massage.

Seek medical aid.

 

Resources

Sprains and strains fact sheet

DRSABCD poster

Related advice

Fractures

It can be difficult to tell whether an injury is a fracture, dislocation, sprain or strain. If in doubt, always treat it as a fracture. We’ve put together a handy first aid guide for fractures.

Spinal and neck injuries

In the case of suspected neck or spinal injury, it’s imperative not to move the patient. If the patient is unconscious as a result of a head injury, you should always suspect a spinal injury.

Asthma attack

Most people who experience asthma attacks should have an action plan and medication with them at all times. Here is a fact sheet of what to do if someone has an asthma attack.

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