At the risk of stating the obvious, all sprains are different. Sprains are generally categorized into three grades - or degrees - based on severity. The grades of sprain go from one to three, with grade one sprains being the least serious and three being the most serious.
A sprain's grade is a useful diagnostic feature that refers to the extent of damage to the an injured joint's ligament. Ligaments are the strong, elastic fibers that hold bones to one another in a joint. They are often confused with tendons, which are the connective tissue holding muscle to bone. A sprain, by definition, is an injury to one or more ligaments.
Different Treatments for Different Sprains
Not all sprains are equal, and neither are their treatments. A sprained joint can have a delayed response to the injury. This makes it very important to see a doctor for the injury immediately. Even when it doesn't seem necessary. The most common treatment for a sprain - either as first aid or medium term care - is the RICE method. This steps of this procedure are REST, ICE, COMPRESSION, and ELEVATION. Each of the steps, and their order, help with a full recovery. By following the RICE procedure, you'll be able to avoid most of the swelling and the following discomfort. The injury will even heal faster.
Grade 1 Sprain
Grade 1 sprains are the least serious of the three sprains. In these sprains, the ligament has been stressed but not extensively damaged. These sprains definitely hurt, but they rarely result in complications. Between RICE and an extended rest, it doesn't take a grade one sprain long to heal.
First degree sprains are very common. Any excessive twist or impact of a joint could result in one. A rolled ankle that makes you limp for a day or two might be an example. Or spraining a thumb by catching it on the edge of a table.
Grade 2 Sprain
These are sprains of a medium severity. Second degree sprains generally heal completely. Being more serious, however, they are more painful and take longer to heal. The defining characteristic of these sprains is that the ligament has been damaged, but not fully torn or ruptured.
Though the recovery times of sprains vary among individuals, a grade two sprain usually heals in two to four weeks with adequate care, though it could take longer depending on a number of factors. It's important to give the joint lots of rest and to not resume normal activity until it has fully recovered. Again, it's a good idea to follow the RICE method immediately after the injury.
Grade 3 Sprain
This category of sprain is the result of more extensive damage. This degree of sprain indicates a large tear or a complete rupture of one or more ligaments. Completely using the use of the injury joint is typical for this injury, and the pain can be overwhelming. It's good to know, however, that these sprains are very uncommon except when extreme forces are applied to joints. They are most common among athletes. Athletes affected by this injury can lose months or years of playing time while waiting to recover.
Grade three sprains often require an operation for make a full recovery. Grade three sprains are notorious for being slow to heal, however, regardless of the quality of care. A third grade sprain can frequently come back as a recurring injury, though, especially if it's not properly rehabilitated in the first place.
A sprain's grade is a useful diagnostic feature that refers to the extent of damage to the an injured joint's ligament. Ligaments are the strong, elastic fibers that hold bones to one another in a joint. They are often confused with tendons, which are the connective tissue holding muscle to bone. A sprain, by definition, is an injury to one or more ligaments.
Different Treatments for Different Sprains
Not all sprains are equal, and neither are their treatments. A sprained joint can have a delayed response to the injury. This makes it very important to see a doctor for the injury immediately. Even when it doesn't seem necessary. The most common treatment for a sprain - either as first aid or medium term care - is the RICE method. This steps of this procedure are REST, ICE, COMPRESSION, and ELEVATION. Each of the steps, and their order, help with a full recovery. By following the RICE procedure, you'll be able to avoid most of the swelling and the following discomfort. The injury will even heal faster.
Grade 1 Sprain
Grade 1 sprains are the least serious of the three sprains. In these sprains, the ligament has been stressed but not extensively damaged. These sprains definitely hurt, but they rarely result in complications. Between RICE and an extended rest, it doesn't take a grade one sprain long to heal.
First degree sprains are very common. Any excessive twist or impact of a joint could result in one. A rolled ankle that makes you limp for a day or two might be an example. Or spraining a thumb by catching it on the edge of a table.
Grade 2 Sprain
These are sprains of a medium severity. Second degree sprains generally heal completely. Being more serious, however, they are more painful and take longer to heal. The defining characteristic of these sprains is that the ligament has been damaged, but not fully torn or ruptured.
Though the recovery times of sprains vary among individuals, a grade two sprain usually heals in two to four weeks with adequate care, though it could take longer depending on a number of factors. It's important to give the joint lots of rest and to not resume normal activity until it has fully recovered. Again, it's a good idea to follow the RICE method immediately after the injury.
Grade 3 Sprain
This category of sprain is the result of more extensive damage. This degree of sprain indicates a large tear or a complete rupture of one or more ligaments. Completely using the use of the injury joint is typical for this injury, and the pain can be overwhelming. It's good to know, however, that these sprains are very uncommon except when extreme forces are applied to joints. They are most common among athletes. Athletes affected by this injury can lose months or years of playing time while waiting to recover.
Grade three sprains often require an operation for make a full recovery. Grade three sprains are notorious for being slow to heal, however, regardless of the quality of care. A third grade sprain can frequently come back as a recurring injury, though, especially if it's not properly rehabilitated in the first place.
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To learn more about sprains, please visit AllAboutSprains.Com and read some of our posts on the subject. If you or someone you know has a sprain, please take a look at the RICE method.
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