| Show 1 Summertime Injuries Yourself It Relief For Minor Joint Injuries The Human Side SideBy By Connie King PAC RAC Redwood Health Center With a long break approaching offering more time for hiking sports and other risky recreation there is a greater chance of injuring joints The Health Center would like to leave you with some information that will help you survive these in in- in juries Joints are held together by ligaments ligaments ligaments liga liga- ments which are bands of fibrous tissue connecting the bones Ligaments support and strengthen the joint Minor tears in ligaments need to be addressed after injury so as not to become chronic problems It is more common to injure the knee or ankle but all joint injuries may be treated in manner When some of the fibers of a supporting ligament are ruptured but the ligament remains intact you have a first degree joint sprain In a first degree sprain there is little swelling and no instability With proper care one can expect to tobe tobe tobe be back to full activity in a couple of weeks Immediately after a sprain apply an ice pack for 10 to Repeat the treatment every hour or two Use pillows to prop up the ankle or knee as much as possible to help keep swelling and pain down Wrist or elbow injuries should be elevated above the heart the Over-the-counter anti matory pain reliever such as aspirin ibuprofen Advil Motrin IB or Aleve eve can help ease both pain and swelling These medications can cause stomach irritation ir- ir Ir Irritation ri tation and should be taken with fi food or and/or lots of water Keep your weight off the injured knee or ankle as much as possible for a day or two Use an ace bandage when you need to be up Wrap it securely but not too tightly Avoid impairing circulation Do not sleep with an ace wrap on Let pain be your guide as to how much activity is enough You Youcan can walk as soon as it feels com- com With a more severe injury where there is immediate swelling and discoloration discoloration discoloration dis dis- coloration or laxity of the joint apply ice and then go to a health care facility as soon as possible k 4 Do not walk too much until you have had an examination and if necessary an x f I The Health Centers will be closed for the break They re-open re sue when classes start on September 25 Have a healthy summer |
