How Are Strains, Sprains, and Contusions Treated?
• Strains and sprains can take up to months to heal. If not treated and allowed to heal, a strain or sprain can lead to long-term problems. These include lasting pain and stiffness. So it is important to follow the doctor’s instructions. • The pain of a contusion often resolves within the first week. But the swelling and discoloration may take weeks to go away. Treatment consists of one or more of the following: • RICE (which stands for “Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation”) • Rest: As much as possible, the child should not use the injured area. In some cases, your child may be given a brace or sling to keep an injured joint still. Your child may also be given crutches to keep some weight off a strain to the leg or a sprain to the ankle or knee. • Ice: Put ice on the injured area 3-4 times a day for 20 minutes at a time. Use an ice pack or bag of frozen peas wrapped in a thin towel. • Compression: If instructed, wrap the area to keep swelling down. Use an elastic bandage. Do this onl
