After our blog on bandaging cuts and scrapes to knees, elbows, and other hard to wrap areas, we received several inquiries concerning the difference between sprains and simple strains. While a simple strain produces pain, swelling is usually minimal. If the injury is to an ankle, soaking the joint in warm water with Epsom salts is often the best and most economical treatment. Any cuts and abrasions to the area can be wrapped in a simple homemade bandage as we discussed earlier.
If the injured joint is extremely painful and presents with marked edema (swelling), it's best to see a physician for an X-Ray. Remember, docs-in-a-box are not usually set up for treating these kinds of injuries and will in all probability refer you to the emergency department of a hospital. If there are no cuts involved in this kind of injury, it's best to leave the joint unwrapped until you can seek medical treatment. Knees are much trickier to diagnose and often produce more debilitating injuries; they are always best checked out by physician.
If you've suffered previous knee injuries that have resulted in osteoarthritis (OA), you've probably been prescribed COX-2 inhibitors (Celebrex, etc.) to take on a daily basis. There are some new long-term treatments on the market--one, Synvisc-One, is listed in our ads to the right. If one of these treatments doesn't work for you, be sure to tell your physician you aren't getting the results you would like. He or she should be happy to work with you on long-term treatment plans.
Finally, remember if you injure yourself while playing baseball, basketball, football, etc., for the first time in twenty years, be sure to come up with a less humorous explanation for your family and co-workers.
Keep safe,
Nurse Nan
Thursday, October 15, 2009
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