Managing Sprains

Ligament is a thick fibrous tissue that connects the bones and holds the skeleton. Bones in the body are connected via these ligaments. When an injury occurs in these ligaments sprain occurs. Commonly sprain occurs in knee, wrist and ankle. Most commonly affected site is ankle.

Sprain can occur due to various reasons like extra or prolonged stretching, falling from some height and many other causes. Sprains usually occur during sport activities like football, basketball, gymnasium, and many more that include jumping and continuous running.

Sprains are categorized as grade I, grade II and grade III. Grade I can be easily treated at home. Grade II sprain needs some medical attention and rest too. Grade III needs surgery. Grade depends upon the extent of injury.

The main symptoms of sprain are swelling, pain and bruising over the affected joint.

By keeping simple things in mind you can avoid getting sprains. Always stretch before you exercise or play any sport. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes and always do some warm up.

Some home remedies are there to get instant relief from sprain. Apply some cold pack on the area. Wrapping bandage on the affected area with a tablespoon of black coffee in it is a useful and effective home remedy. Soaking the sprained area in warm water with few drops of lavender oil is also beneficial.

Massaging the area with garlic oil and almond oil is very good for sprain. Eating pineapple during sprain is also considered good. Sprain can also be treated by massaging the affected area with honey in some lime juice. Lime leaves grinded together with butter and applied to the sprained area helps to heal the sprain quickly.

Warm the outer leaves of cabbage and wrap them on the sprained area by using a bandage. It would reduce the swelling and pain.

Whenever a sprain occurs due to sport activity the best thing to do at that time is to rub ice for some time and keep the area elevated and take rest. Never sleep with the foot wrapped with bandage as it affects the flow of blood.