Strains and Sprains Treatment in Gallatin, TN and Nashville, TN

Strains and sprains affect the muscles and ligaments, respectively, and are very common injuries. A strain, also known as a pulled muscle, may vary in recovery time due to a few factors. The severity of the strain and whether the area is reinjured are both plausible explanations for a longer or shorter period of recovery. Recovery for strains typically lasts 3-6 weeks or until all the pain has subsided. Similarly, sprains will vary depending on the same factors as strains. However, in most cases, recovery will take anywhere from one month to a month and a half, or, in other words, 4-6 weeks, with some cases requiring even more time. Hamstring strain and lateral ankle sprain are the most popular injuries from each category and boast an average recovery time of about 3 weeks each. In both cases of either a strain or sprain, people tend to feel better in just 2 weeks, yet an activity that may put too much strain on the injury should be avoided for up to 8 weeks so that one can avoid re-injury.

Immediately during or after an injury, you may hear a pop sound from the tearing of ligaments or muscles. Feelings of pain, discomfort, tenderness, or weakness around the injured area are typical of strains or sprains. These feelings may be more prevalent when attempting to use or move the strained or sprained part. For example, if you were to sprain your ankle, you may find it difficult to use it to the same degree as when it was uninjured, like with walking, running, or putting weight on it. Additionally, the range of motion may be more limited. Other common areas that are susceptible to this type of injury are your feet, wrists, thumbs, knees, legs, or back. Swelling and bruising may also occur to a degree dependent on injury severity. Some people will also experience muscle spasms or cramps, where the muscle contracts on its own, inflicting pain. Luckily, these symptoms are only temporary and will go away as the injury heals.

Diagnosing a sprain or strain is usually done through a physical examination by your healthcare provider. Some visual elements can aid in diagnosing a sprain or strain, such as swelling or bruising. Other factors that you may not be able to see include the extent and location of the pain, weakness, and/or tenderness. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or a combination of them, you may have sprained or strained something. Generally, these symptoms will be the first areas of inspection that your doctor may look into before moving on to other measures. Your doctor may enlist the help of an X-ray to observe the bones, making sure that the symptoms are not due to a fracture or anything of the sort, while an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) may help your doctor see the extent of the damage to the muscles and soft tissues in the body. 

To treat a sprain or strain at home, you should rest the injured area and allow ample time to recover. You can accomplish this by avoiding putting pressure on it and not moving it more than is possible. It is also important that you ice the sprain or strain every 2 hours for 20 minutes at a time to reduce the swelling. Ice packs should not be in direct contact with the skin, instead, they should be wrapped in a wet towel. Compression should be utilized here too as it can help relieve some of the swelling while also supporting the injured area. Compression or other support may come in the form of wrapping bandages or a splint to suppress movement in the case of a sprain. However, splints are most often used in more severe cases. Elevating the part of your body that is affected will also help reduce some of the swelling, which is important for a smooth recovery and avoiding any further complications.
 
If you’re seeking medical help for a sprain or strain, visit Dr. Thomas Gautsch, MD, at the Southern Sports Medicine Institute. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online today! We serve patients from Gallatin TN, Nashville TN, Portland TN, Hendersonville TN, Lafayette TN, Castalian Springs TN, Westmoreland TN, Hartsville TN, Cottontown TN, Old Hickory TN, Goodlettsville TN, Springfield TN, Red Boiling Springs TN, White House TN, Lebanon TN, Greenbrier TN, Bowling Green KY, Bethpage TN, Lavergne TN, Franklin TN, Hermitage TN and Mount Juliet TN.