Sprain is the tearing or stretching of ligaments, which are the tough fibrous tissue bands, connecting the two bones in the joint together. A sprained ankle or sprained wrists are the most common personal injuries experienced by many. If you are suffering from a sprained ankle or wrist then it is essential to consult a West Palm Beach personal injury lawyer to help you file a claim.
Symptoms of Sprains
The symptoms of sprains may vary as per the location and severity of the injury. The symptoms might include:
- Feeling or hearing a popping sound in the joint
- Restricted movements of the affected joint
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Pain
The severity of these symptoms is also dependent on the severity of the injury. There are various factors that may contribute towards a sprained ankle or wrist, including:
- Environmental Condition – an uneven or a slippery floor making you prone to slip
- Fatigue – tired muscles results in lack of proper joint support leading you vulnerable to injuries
- Poor Equipment – wrong footwear or other sporting equipment can result in spraining of ankle or wrists
There can be other factors like age and health issues that can contribute towards a sprain.
Sprained Wrist Treatments
Sprained wrists can lead to pain and prevent you from effectively performing your everyday tasks. Following are some of the treatments for a sprained wrist:
1. Physical Therapy
In case of a mild sprain, physical therapy can be helpful in regaining the normal flexibility and movement of your wrist. Moreover, physical therapy is also recommended by a doctor as a post-surgery treatment.
2. Wrist Joint Replacement
This replacement surgery is typically performed as outpatient surgery, unlike knee or hip replacement surgeries. The wrist joint replacement surgery is typically combined with other surgeries or procedures for correcting disorders or deformities in the small joints, nerves, and tendons of the thumb and fingers.
3. Surgical Fusion
If there is a severe deformity or injury, surgical wrist fusion can be the best treatment option. In this procedure, the wrist joint is completely removed and the forearm’s major bone is fused together with the smaller wrist bones with the help of a metal plate. While this surgery might restrict the movement of the wrists, it can drastically reduce the pain.
4. Joint Reconstruction with Tendon Graft
In case the damage to the ligament is discovered months after the initial sprain, there might be a need to reconstruct the ligament. In this process, a small incision is made to locate the torn ligament, after which a tendon graft is utilized to replace that ligament. This tendon graft is taken from the affected wrist’s palmaris longus tendon. Metal pins help to hold the bones stationary till the tendon graft is properly healed.
5. Ligament Surgery
When the damage in ligament is discovered weeks after the injury, metal pins would be inserted in your wrist in order to hold the bones together while the damaged ligaments are healing. This surgery is known as percutaneous pinning and it doesn’t require an incision. However, in cases where the bone line up can’t be possible through the usual procedure then an incision has to be made.
6. Tendon Transfer
In this surgery, incisions are made to locate tendon from another muscle and then attached to the damaged tendon. Depending on the severity of the damage, more than one tendon might be required to be transferred.
7. Minimally Invasive Wrist Arthroscopy
A minimally invasive wrist surgery is required when the injuries related to soft tissues and bones are treated without the requirement of open incisions typically done in other surgeries. Small incisions are made instead to locate the problem and treat it. The major benefits of this surgery include minimized scarring, quicker recovery, and decreased risk of injury to surrounding tissues.
Sprained Ankle Treatments
Ankle injuries are mostly caused by sports or slip and fall accidents. However, it can be caused due to numerous other factors as well and can make it difficult for you to walk, let alone, perform your everyday activities. Following are some of the common treatments for sprained ankles:
1. Muscle Stretching
Muscle stretching exercises are essential to make sure that the sprained ankle properly heals and also reduces the chance of injuries or sprains in the future. These exercises mostly include or start off with walking by holding light weights or with the use of crutches as per your condition. Your therapist would recommend range-of-motion exercises as a part of rehabilitation in case of severe injury. Gradually this will include stretching, balance exercises, strength training and more to help you regain the strength in your ankle.
2. Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is beneficial for acute ankle sprains. The most effective treatment for mild to moderate ankle sprain is the RICE treatment:
- Rest – resting your sprained ankle is the best way to heal it
- Ice – using ice packs on the affected area can help in reducing inflammation and swelling
- Compression – wrapping up the sprained ankle with a bandage till the swelling reduces
- Elevation – keeping your ankle elevated, when possible, above the heart level can help in quick healing
It is important to follow the instructions and guidelines of your doctor.
3. Joint Manipulation
Ankle joint manipulation is a simple and effective intervention that helps in enhancing the mobility of the joint. This can be used to treat and heal various foot ailments and helps in restoring the normal movements of the joint.
4. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is another effective treatment for chronic and acute ankle sprain. It specifically addresses muscular compensation, pain and swelling associated with a sprained ankle. If repeated sprain or injury is caused because of ligament stretching then acupuncture can be used to treat the muscular balance to ensure the sprain isn’t repeated.
Speak With An Injury Attorney For Any Accident Injuries
If you have a sprained ankle or sprained wrist, your doctor might try non-surgical procedures like physical therapy and stretching exercises to treat the sprain. However, in severe cases or if non-surgical processes don’t work, the right surgical procedure would be performed to treat the sprain. If you need assistance with a personal injury claim, then contact Shiner Law Group and get a free case evaluation of your case.