Sprain

Sprains most often occur in the large joints such as the knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow and wrist, but can in principle occur in any joint. A sprain is a sudden overstretching of the joint capsule or ligaments with minor tears in the tissue. A sprain is a precursor to a joint dislocation and/or a ligament injury.

What causes a sprain?

When the joint is subjected to a movement or load that the muscles are no longer able to keep fully in place, a sprain of the joint or ligaments occurs. The injury can result from a single violent load or from fatigue, which is most often seen in the shoulder.

At CPH Privathospital we make the diagnosis by means of a thorough clinical examination, and if there is any doubt about an actual ligament injury, you will be offered an MR scan.

Symptoms of a sprain

Pain and swelling are classic symptoms, localised to the injured joint. The pain often becomes worse during the first day, and at the same time you may experience reduced mobility, swelling and warmth around the joint.

Treatment

The acute injury should be treated according to the RICE principle, which consists of the following:

• Rest and relief for the leg
• Immediate cooling of the muscle area
• Compression with a support bandage
• Elevation, keeping the leg raised

Sometimes it is necessary to take painkillers such as Panodil or anti-inflammatory medicine.

Once the pain has subsided, it is important to get back on your feet as quickly as possible to avoid loss of muscle. It is also important to take a break from the activity that triggered the sprain, as a new injury will often cause a more serious lesion of the joint.