Fall is a busy season for soccer, football, field hockey, cross country and pickup games in the park. It is also a busy season for twisted ankles, sore muscles and bumps to the head. Here is how to tell a minor injury from one that needs a closer look, and what you can do at home in the meantime.
Sprains and strains: what is the difference?
A sprain is a stretched or torn ligament, the tough bands that hold bones together at a joint. Ankles and wrists are the most common spots. A strain is a stretched or torn muscle or tendon. Hamstrings and the lower back are common places for strains. According to MedlinePlus from the National Library of Medicine, both can cause pain, swelling and trouble moving the area. Sprains often bruise, and strains can cause muscle spasms.
Many mild sprains and strains get better with rest and simple care. But some injuries that look like a sprain are actually a broken bone, a torn ligament or a growth plate injury in a child. That is why it is worth getting checked if things are not improving.
First aid you can do at home
For a minor sprain or strain, early care usually means resting the area, icing it and using a wrap that gently compresses it. A simple way to remember it:
- Rest. Stop playing. Avoid putting weight on an injured ankle or knee if it hurts to do so.
- Ice. Use a cold pack wrapped in a thin towel for short periods. Never put ice right on bare skin.
- Compress. An elastic bandage can help limit swelling. It should feel snug, not tight. Loosen it if the toes or fingers turn pale, cold, tingly or numb.
- Elevate. Prop the injured arm or leg up on pillows, above the level of the heart if you can.
Ask a pharmacist or your provider before giving any pain medicine, especially to children. Ease back into activity slowly once walking or moving the joint no longer hurts.
When to have it checked at urgent care
It is a good idea to have an injury looked at if:
- You or your child cannot put weight on the leg or use the arm normally.
- There is a lot of swelling or bruising, or the pain is getting worse instead of better.
- You heard a pop or snap when it happened, or the joint feels loose or gives way.
- There is tenderness right over a bone, not just in the soft tissue.
- The injury is not clearly better after a few days of home care.
Both of our clinics have X-ray on site, so we can often check for a fracture during the same visit. We treat sprains, strains, minor fractures, cuts and other minor injuries for both children and adults.
Head bumps and concussions
A concussion is a brain injury caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or body. A player does not have to be knocked out to have one. Signs listed by the CDC HEADS UP program include headache, dizziness or balance problems, feeling foggy or slowed down, trouble concentrating, sensitivity to light or noise, and changes in mood or sleep.
If you think a player may have a concussion, take them out of the game or practice right away, and do not let them go back in that day. A child with a possible concussion should be seen by a health care provider. The CDC says young athletes should return to sports practices only with the approval and under the supervision of their health care provider. Read more in the CDC guidance on returning to sports.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if…
- A bone is clearly out of place or pushing through the skin.
- An arm, leg, hand or foot is cold, pale, blue or numb below the injury.
- There is heavy bleeding that does not stop with firm pressure.
- After a head injury, the person has a seizure, passes out, is very drowsy or cannot be woken up.
- After a head injury, there is repeated vomiting, slurred speech, weakness or numbness, worsening confusion, or a headache that gets worse and does not go away.
- One pupil is larger than the other, or the person has double vision.
- There is a neck or back injury, or the person cannot move normally. Do not move them; call 911.
- A baby or toddler with a head injury will not stop crying or will not nurse or eat.
Walk in when you need us
For injuries that are not emergencies, our Acton and Canton clinics are open seven days a week, and no appointment is needed. You can also reserve your spot online to cut down on waiting. Getting ready for the next season? We also offer sports and school physicals.