Open
Close

Muscle strain - treatment and symptoms. Exercise therapy and rehabilitation after rupture and sprain of ankle ligaments: warm-up exercises

Hip injuries lead in traumatology statistics. The legs literally take the first blow in a variety of situations: sports, falls, car accidents. We will talk about sprained muscles and ligaments of the thigh - an injury that cannot be called severe, but it requires quite a long treatment.

Shulepin Ivan Vladimirovich, traumatologist-orthopedist, highest qualification category

Total work experience over 25 years. In 1994 he graduated from the Moscow Institute of Medical and Social Rehabilitation, in 1997 he completed a residency in the specialty “Traumatology and Orthopedics” at the Central Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics named after. N.N. Prifova.


Injuries to the muscles and ligaments of the thigh are classified by location, degree of damage and severity.

Hamstring strain

There are three muscles located here (semitendinosus, semimembranosus and biceps), responsible for flexion of the leg at the knee and extension at the hip joint. Intense movements on insufficiently warmed or unprepared muscles lead to their damage.

Hip adductor strain

The internal group of muscles is responsible for bringing the legs together and flexing the knee joint. Injured when trying to do the splits without preparation, squats and strong swings of the legs. The adductor longus muscle is most susceptible to stretching, which happens in sports such as fencing, football, speed skating, handball, skiing, and athletics (high jump).

Quadriceps strain

Since this muscle (quadriceps) is the most massive in the human body, it is injured only under strong impact (usually excessive load in professional sports) - contraction of muscle tissue when trying to sharply slow down a high speed of movement. The rectus muscle of this group is most often damaged, which, unlike the others, is attached to two joints: the hip and knee.

Hip muscle injuries

In the area of ​​the hip joint there is a whole group of hip muscles that provide complex movements of the leg (flexion, extension, adduction, abduction, rotation). These are the gluteal, gluteus medius, deep gluteus, biceps femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranosus, quadratus femoris and others. Their damage occurs quite often, and not only during sports. The main mechanism is an unexpected contraction, which happens during a fall, impact, or excessive physical activity in physically unprepared people.

Hip sprain

This is a more severe injury than a muscle strain. It is preceded by prolonged tension in the connective tissue, which leads to thinning of the fibers and loss of their elastic properties. Sprains are possible in the hip and knee areas.

The ligaments of the hip joint are injured in the following situations:

  • Lifting weights with legs wide apart. A typical injury in track and field athletes.
  • Multiple hits on the legs and falls in team sports.
  • in unprepared people.

A characteristic feature of this injury is that symptoms appear not at the moment of impact, but with repeated stress.

Severity of tendon sprain:


  1. Light when single fibers are torn.
  2. Average degree. Most of the ligament is injured, and the fibers begin to separate from each other.
  3. Severe degree. Tear and complete rupture of the ligamentous apparatus.

The first two degrees are not considered complex and are treated conservatively.

Severe degrees are dangerous due to complications and incomplete restoration of movement, and therefore require hospitalization and surgical treatment.

Symptoms and diagnosis of hip sprain

Regardless of the location and type of injury (muscle or ligament), hip injury has common symptoms:


  • Click. The patient feels it at the time of injury. This is muscle fibers tearing.
  • Pain . Very intense, usually occurs immediately. The pain forces the patient to stop moving, sometimes painful shock develops. Injuries in the area of ​​the hip joints are especially painful, since this is where bundles of nerve fibers are concentrated.
  • Pain on palpation. It is impossible to touch the affected area. This immediately allows you to clarify the location of the injury.
  • Hematoma. It is formed if blood vessels are damaged and hemorrhage occurs in the tissue and under the skin.
  • Edema. Characteristic for stretching the biceps femoris.

The prevalence of edema and hematoma, the severity of pain are additional criteria for the severity of the injury.


Diagnosis starts with detailed questioning of the patient about the circumstances of the injury. It is important not only to find the place of greatest intensity of symptoms, but also to find out how the patient pulled the muscles and tendons. Sometimes, due to severe swelling and pain, palpation of the injury site is difficult, so it is the patient’s story that serves as the basis for making a diagnosis. The surgeon flexes and extends the leg and asks the patient to lean on it. After these manipulations, the diagnosis becomes clear. To exclude bone fractures, joint dislocations, and ligament ruptures, it is prescribed radiography and computed tomography.

Treatment of hip muscle and ligament injuries

The success of therapy for sprained muscles and ligaments of the hip depends on timely and correctly provided first aid. In the future, tactics are determined by the severity of the damage.

First aid


For injuries of any location, there is a clear first aid algorithm. For sprains and tears of the muscles and ligaments of the thigh, it is as follows:

  • The main principle of treatment is rest and cold. To do this, the victim is placed on his back in a semi-lying position with a bolster under the knee. This eliminates additional tension on muscles and ligaments.
  • Any load on the leg should be avoided.
  • Cold is applied to the injury site (a towel soaked in cold water, ice cubes in a bag, any item from the refrigerator). The duration of such exposure is 15 minutes, which reduces pain, swelling and the spread of hematoma.
  • For severe pain, any pain reliever in tablets.
  • If there is a suspicion of a sprain in the knee joint, apply a tight bandage (you can use an elastic bandage). It is important not to crush the tissue or cause circulatory problems.

The victim in any case taken to hospital to clarify the diagnosis and exclude more serious pathologies (fractures, complete rupture of muscles and ligaments).

Treatment after confirmation of diagnosis

With the first and second severity of muscle and ligament injuries (when there is no complete rupture of muscle fibers and ligaments), the patient is treated independently at home. He must strictly follow the following recommendations:

  • Complete rest of the affected area. Moving only on crutches. If these recommendations are not followed, the recovery period is significantly prolonged and complications may arise. For example, inflammation of the ligaments of the hip joint. A child may be given a plaster splint to prevent movement, since it is difficult to explain to young children the need for complete rest.
  • The sore leg is positioned above body level, placing a pillow under it. This is done to prevent edema.
  • Preferably record the location of the injury elastic bandage, without disturbing the blood supply to the tissues.
  • For the first three to four days, apply cold every 4 hours for 15 minutes, then you can lubricate the injured area warming ointments. The criterion for the safety of their use is the disappearance of tissue edema. In addition to warming ones, there are other local drugs that alleviate the patient’s condition. We give a brief description of them in the table.
  • If the injury site hurts even after the acute period, painkillers are prescribed. It is better to check the specific drug with your doctor, since, for example, in case of extensive hematoma and edema, aspirin and ibuprofen are contraindicated.


  • During the recovery period, which depends on the severity of the injury, use massage and physiotherapy. You can start doing massage already on the fifth day after a minor sprain of muscles and ligaments. Physiotherapy procedures are prescribed by a doctor on an individual basis.

In case of severe injury with complete rupture of muscles and tendons, surgical treatment is indicated. Such damage takes much longer to heal and can leave consequences - lameness, limited mobility in the joints.

Rehabilitation and recovery

Active rehabilitation can only begin with the permission of a doctor. If you start exercising too early, you may experience a recurrence of a muscle strain or even a muscle tear.

We list effective rehabilitation methods:


  • Ultrasound. It produces heat, which improves blood circulation and stimulates the cells to return to normal activity. The procedure is carried out with a special device, lasts 3-10 minutes, and is painless. A course (usually 10 procedures) is prescribed daily.
  • Electrophoresis. A low-intensity electrical current applied to the injured muscle through electrodes stimulates small contractions of myocytes. This generally contributes to their regeneration and restoration of function.
  • Infrared radiation. Penetrates deep into tissue, dilates blood vessels, relieves pain.
  • Physiotherapy. A set of exercises is prescribed by a doctor individually. Their main principle is regularity and a gradual increase in load.

Recovery time depends on the degree of damage:

  • For mild cases - 21 days.
  • On average - two months.
  • Severe - up to six months, sometimes physiotherapy needs to be done for a longer period.

Simple rules of prevention help prevent injury to the muscles and ligaments of the legs: do not start serious exercises without warming up and warming up, stop exercising if you feel overworked or sore muscles, eat properly and normalize your weight, wear comfortable shoes.

A very effective exercise for quickly restoring the ligaments and muscles of the thigh.

- a very painstaking and long process. If the leg twists, the heel moves inward, the ankle outward, and the load on the tendons increases sharply. This leads to swelling, pain and even complete rupture.

Orthopedist-traumatologist: Azalia Solntseva ✓ Article checked by doctor


How to recover from injury

After this injury, a long recovery is required, the intensity of which depends on the extent of the damage.

Basic rules to follow immediately after stretching:

  • Cool the bruise for 24 hours.
  • Protect the sore spot from stress.
  • Keep your leg elevated during the day and while sleeping.
  • Stabilize the ankle with a bandage.
  • In the absence of pain, begin physical exercise to warm up the leg.
  • Use anti-inflammatory drugs.

Doctors distinguish three degrees of injury. All of them are accompanied by pain of varying degrees of intensity and swelling. It is imperative to go to the hospital; these signs are typical for fractures and foot dislocations.

Damage classification:

  1. The leg retains full mobility, the ligaments are damaged no more than 15%. Walking is uncomfortable; there is slight swelling at the site of the injury.
  2. The connective tissue is severely injured. Traffic is very difficult. The limb constantly ache, there is slight swelling, bruising.
  3. Grade 3 is given when the ligaments are torn. It is difficult to confuse this with a simple bruise - the pain is strong and sharp, and a hematoma quickly appears.

At any stage of injury, the doctor will prescribe physiotherapeutic procedures, massage and therapeutic exercises 2-4 days after the injury. This is included in mandatory rehabilitation therapy.

Physiotherapy

A traumatologist, who is consulted for the treatment of an ankle sprain, prescribes the following restorative procedures:

  • Ultrasound micromassage.
  • Diadynamic.
  • Massotherapy.
  • Aquatic exercise, swimming.
  • Balneological baths.
  • Paraffin therapy.
  • Magnetotherapy.

All these types of procedures improve blood supply to tissues, relieve severe pain, accelerate metabolism and regeneration. Physiotherapy will relieve swelling and bruises, have a beneficial effect on joints and ligaments, and stimulate healing.

Therapeutic exercises

Stage 1 damage allows you to start exercise therapy the very next day. The first thing patients do is move their fingers to regain mobility.

Exercises to strengthen the muscular system:

  • Lying in bed, bend and straighten your fingers and rotate your feet.
  • Roll a tennis ball with your foot.
  • Squat with a fitball pressed against the wall with your lower back.
  • Gently, without jerking, pull the foot towards you.

Ointments and compresses

Treatment for ligament damage includes liniments to relieve swelling. They are applied in a thin layer to the sore spot and used in compresses. After using the drug, it is recommended to use a fixing or warming bandage.

The ointment can have a different spectrum of action. Products with diclofenac and ibuprofen have proven themselves well - they quickly eliminate pain.

How long does rehabilitation take?

If the injury does not cause a fracture or dislocation, healing will progress faster. At stage 1, the rehabilitation period is about a month. The process takes about six months at most.

The initial treatment is necessary to diagnose and record the degree of damage; in stage 3, the muscles first need to be anesthetized. The main goal of recovery is to return the joint to the full range of all movements, strengthen the muscles and return to your previous lifestyle.

Medicines

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used for treatment. They can reduce swelling, pain and bruising.

Such means include:

  • ibuprofen;
  • Nurofen;
  • ketorol

Take any of the drugs: 1 tablet (100 mg) 2 times a day after meals. The course should not exceed 5 days.

You can also take a painkiller to relieve discomfort.

  • Dolobene gel;
  • Nise gel;
  • Ketonal.

Which one is better for rupture and spraining is chosen by the patient himself.

The ointment should be used 3 times a day. It is recommended to use ointments for two weeks.

Symptoms

The anatomical and physiological features of the structure of ligaments are the main reason that they are susceptible to frequent damage.

In medicine, three degrees of severity of ligament injury are defined.

  1. The first degree is characterized as mild. It is characterized by rupture of individual fibers. The entire bundle remains uninjured. The stability of the joint is not lost.
  2. The second degree is characterized by partial rupture of the ligament. The joint remains stable.
  3. Complete ligament rupture and joint instability are characteristic of the third degree of damage.

A bruise or hematoma quickly appears near the affected joint. It becomes impossible to move the joint. Limitation of movement becomes a serious problem.

With minor damage to the ligaments, pain and swelling are not very pronounced.

  1. Very often the ankle joint is injured during intense physical activity.
  2. Sometimes damage occurs when walking on uneven surfaces.
  3. The causes of such injuries include wearing shoes in which the foot is positioned unnaturally. Most often these are high-heeled shoes.

In a situation where the usual and permissible load that falls on the ligaments significantly exceeds the norm, damage to the ankle joint ligaments occurs. This happens suddenly when the foot is twisted or when performing rotation, that is, turning the lower leg when the foot is fixed.

The first and second degrees of bruises are characterized by the fact that healing occurs naturally. This takes about three weeks.

To speed up the healing process, doctors recommend relieving inflammation, swelling and pain. Movements should be limited as much as possible.

Recovery time

The approximate time it will take to cure the acute period is two weeks. After the pain has decreased, you should visit a chiropractor.

This must be done on the 6th day after the injury to the ankle joint was sustained. The specialist will conduct a consultation and recommend an individual rehabilitation course. The rehabilitation itself may require from one month to six months.

The amount of time it takes to heal depends on the size of the lesion. It will happen faster if the signs have been identified to a minor extent.

For 1st degree damage it may take three weeks, for 3rd degree it may take several months. For the first degree, sick leave is issued for a maximum of 10 days. With the third - for the entire rehabilitation period.

If it is severe, you should seek help from a doctor as soon as possible. You should not self-medicate, because the doctor must rule out a fracture by taking an x-ray.

First aid

Movement and stress on the ankle joint should be avoided. This will help prevent subsequent ligament injury.

Cold helps in such cases. It will help reduce swelling. As a result, a numbing effect will appear, which helps relieve pain.

Ice should be applied to the damaged area for two days after the injury. Do not apply it for more than fifteen minutes. Failure to comply with this rule may cause frostbite.

After an hour and a half, the procedure can be repeated. Ice should be used as soon as possible after an ankle ligament injury occurs. Ice should be placed on the skin wrapped in some fabric, such as a towel.

An effective remedy is elastic bandaging. You should not bandage your leg too tightly. Cold toes and a feeling of numbness are evidence that the foot is bandaged too tightly.

This procedure is necessary in order to reduce swelling and eliminate all kinds of movements. The elastic bandage can be removed at night. You should make movements only with a bandaged leg.

To reduce swelling and pain, doctors advise placing the leg in an elevated position. You can put a pillow under your leg.

Prohibited methods of treating sprains include:

  1. Heating the injured area during the first week after injury.
  2. You should not rub your leg with alcohol or massage at this time.
  3. Do not use hot baths or saunas. Heat during such damage stimulates blood flow.

If symptoms do not improve within 24 hours after the ankle injury occurs, you should seek help from a doctor.

You should not rely entirely on your leg while walking.

You should wait for the doctor’s diagnosis and follow all his recommendations.

We treat at home

  1. Hot compresses made from milk are effective for treatment. They should be changed as they cool.
  2. A compress made from onion pulp with the addition of a tablespoon of salt has healing properties. It should be put in gauze and applied to the sore spot.
  3. It is useful to apply sand heated in the oven to the damaged area for 10 minutes. Hot sand should be poured into a canvas bag. This procedure can only be used on the second day after the injury.
  4. Tea compresses are effective for treating pain and swelling from a sprained ankle. A healing herbal cream can relieve inflammation.

The child has

Children of all ages experience sprains no less often than adults.

Symptoms of such damage are typical, as in adults. The procedure is similar.

The child should be shown to a doctor so that he can examine the leg and make a correct diagnosis.

Diagnostics and examination

Radiography is the main method of differential diagnosis between fracture of joint elements and sprain. It is a mandatory examination for such injuries and is performed in both direct and lateral projections.

Ultrasound of the ankle is an additional study and can be prescribed both for normal edema and for hemarthrosis. Using this method, an experienced ultrasound diagnostician can also detect rupture of ligament fibers.

MRI is used only in the most severe cases to determine surgical guidelines. This method perfectly shows the joint in more favorable projections. MRI diagnostics is the “gold standard” for a combination of ligament rupture, syndesmosis and bone elements.

Folk remedies

In addition to basic treatment, alternative medicine can be used.

These, with the approval of a doctor, can be done at home:

  1. Grind the raw onion very finely in a blender. Add salt. Apply the product to a piece of gauze, folded in half, and apply through it to the injury site.
  2. Grate raw potatoes and apply to the sore spot as a compress for 30 minutes.
  3. A compress can be made from aloe pulp. Bandage the top. And when the compress heats up, it needs to be changed.
  4. Mix chalk with kefir or natural yogurt. Before going to bed, apply a compress to the sprained area and bandage it. Wash off in the morning.
  5. Make an infusion of tansy or elecampane root (1 spoon per glass of water). Apply lotions and compresses several times a day.

Until the patient is examined by a doctor, it is impossible to independently treat a sprain with folk remedies. If the ligaments are torn, lotions can further aggravate the situation.

Shoes

The risks of damage will be significantly lower if you choose the right shoes.

It must meet the following criteria:

  • the back of the shoe, above the heel, covering the back of the heel, should be firm;
  • wide toe that does not pinch your fingers;
  • a partially or completely rigid internal part of the bottom of a shoe attached to the insole;
  • there must be an insert in the shoes ();
  • heel from 1.5 to 2 cm.

Complications

Complications arising from ankle sprains appear in the early and late traumatic period.

During the course of treatment, the injury may become more complicated:

  • suppuration of the joint;
  • hemarthrosis;
  • dislocation.

In the late healing period - from two months to 5 years following the injury, the following complications arise:

  • ankle sprains;
  • flat feet;
  • arthrosis;
  • arthritis.

The duration of ankle recovery after an injury depends on its severity. The first degree sprain resolves without further health consequences. Grade 2 and 3 injuries sometimes cause chronic pain in the ankle joint. This is explained by the fact that in the process of injury, the nerve endings also suffer.

Stretching massage

The limb is massaged above the damaged area - you need to start with the lower leg. In the first days, the procedure is performed 2 times a day for 5-7 minutes, then the duration of the session is increased to 15 minutes.

The purpose of the massage is to normalize blood circulation in the affected area. This will help reduce swelling, remove inflammation, and speed up the regeneration process. Massage procedures are allowed at all stages of healing.

A properly organized massage procedure helps:

  • reduce pain;
  • restore joint movement;
  • stop muscle atrophy;
  • improve the supporting function of the joint.

Massage rules

Therapeutic massage sessions begin no less than three days after the injury. The procedure is complemented by physiotherapy: warming up, light therapy, gymnastics. To avoid discomfort, it is recommended to use warming agents, such as massage oil.

Massage involves a two-stage algorithm: the first stage is preparation, when the area above the injured one is worked, and the second stage is massage of the affected area. The listed steps should be performed in the specified sequence.

The first stage must be performed in the lower leg area. To do this, you need to comfortably place your leg under a bolster or pillow to completely relax the muscles and ligaments. All movements during massage are performed with smooth and light movements.

Massage technique

The first stage involves six massage techniques.

They are repeated in the order below with a frequency of five:

  1. Stroking. The movements should be performed with a sliding palm.
  2. Clicks. Direction - top to bottom.
  3. Tingling. The thumb is placed parallel to the rest. Four fingers massage the affected area, moving from top to bottom.
  4. Rubbing with spiral movements.
  5. Warm up. Lightly press the muscle with your fingers.
  6. Deep workout. The massage involves the phalanges of the fingers, gradually moving downwards. The muscles and ligaments are carefully worked out.

Then they move to the injured area.

Exercises must be done in the same quantities in the following order:

  1. Circular strokes.
  2. Pinching with pads.
  3. Rubbing with fingertips.
  4. Rubbing with palm.
  5. Finally, you need to perform final strokes on the affected area.

Prevention

Ligaments are the connective tissues found between bones. Injury can be avoided by wearing comfortable shoes that support the joint in optimal position. In addition, exercise has a beneficial effect on the condition of the musculoskeletal system. The essence of prevention is to strengthen them.

Sports activities

You can perform sports exercises only after warming up. Race walking is a good way to warm up your body. Then you need to carefully work the joints with rotational movements. Warm-up can take from 15 to 20 minutes.

It is necessary to devote time to the ligamentous apparatus. Isometric gymnastics is suitable for this. You can find a lot of exercises for this sport on the Internet. Such a sports load will strengthen the tendons and ligaments, they become more durable and will be harder to damage.

After finishing your workout, you need to stretch. It doesn't hurt to stretch all types of muscles. This is good for the joints.

Trained ligaments are less likely to be injured. Even with a normal twist of the leg, people with poor physical fitness can get seriously injured when for others it will be an insignificant injury.

It is necessary to monitor your feelings, and not blindly follow methods from unverified sources. Physical activity is individual - it depends on initial training and the characteristics of the body.

You should not make sudden movements when playing sports. To prevent injury, before starting training, you should apply a special bandage that will protect the ligaments from heavy loads.

Nutrition for stretching

Nutrition during sprains is aimed at strengthening ligaments and tendons, so it is necessary to consume food rich in microelements and vitamins. The most suitable foods for strengthening ligaments are stewed, baked, boiled dishes containing a minimum amount of sugar and salt.

What to exclude from your diet

First of all, you should avoid the following products:

  • alcohol, coffee, carbonated drinks;
  • bread made from premium flour;
  • sausage;
  • processed cheese, crab sticks;
  • leavening agents;
  • smoked products.

This food is contraindicated during the recovery period.

Useful material

It is necessary to organize the flow of a number of useful substances into the body:

  1. Omega-3. Polyunsaturated acids found in nuts, vegetable oil and sea fish.
  2. Vitamin C. Responsible for the proper interaction of cells and tissues. When consuming this vitamin, the risk of getting such an injury is much lower.
  3. Water. It is drunk for the prevention and treatment of sprains. The average daily water consumption for an adult is 2 liters. The individual characteristics of the body play an important role.
  4. Vitamin F. Reduces joint inflammation. Herring and olive oil have a high content of this compound.
  5. Vitamin E. Resists the breakdown of cartilage tissue. Foods rich in this vitamin include broccoli, celery, parsley, spinach and rose hips. The latter produces a tasty and healthy tea that provides the body with both vitamin E and water.

The diet should include:

  • agar-agar;
  • seafood;
  • jellied meats made from cartilage and bones;
  • rich broths.

Operation

If anatomical disturbances in the ankle joint are not fixed, only the talus bones are damaged, then surgery is not required. Surgery is necessary in severe cases, including severe dislocations of the talus relative to the tibia.

The surgical procedure depends on the severity and type of injury, and the doctor chooses it based on the specific situation. In different cases, appropriate methods of surgical intervention are used. A third-degree ankle injury is accompanied by a rupture of the articular fiber - partial/complete. The operation involves suturing the ligaments and removing blood clots from the joint cavity.

If the consequences of a severe injury are not corrected promptly, the tissues of the joint will not heal and the ankle will be immobilized for the rest of its life. The hemorrhage must be removed to prevent inflammation and suppuration in the area of ​​damage. This can lead to both gangrene and blood poisoning.

How is it carried out?

Ligament restoration is carried out using the patient's tissue. All necessary elements are involved:

  • Elements of the damaged ligament;
  • Parts of the periosteum;
  • Capsule tissues.

If there is not enough material, then implants are used. These may be parts of nearby tendons that are taken as a replacement for the missing ligament.

Rehabilitation after surgery

For the first two weeks after surgery, crutches are used for support. For the next three weeks, you can be treated without them, using a special boot. After a month, the pressure on the boot is slightly relaxed, allowing the joint to bend and straighten. This rehabilitation period lasts one and a half months or longer.

Special ones allow you to speed up the healing process of your legs. They are applied using small incisions. With this rehabilitation process, the use of crutches is not required, and recovery occurs in a much shorter period of time.

Ligaments are dense connective tissue structures that maintain joints in their natural physiological position. With mechanical impact on the joint, microscopic muscle fibers are lengthened and injured, and the patient notes difficulty in moving the injured limb, hyperemia, subcutaneous bruising and severe pain.

The complete lack of treatment for sprain or rupture of ligament fibers leads to the formation of chronic joint instability.

Pathological instability is often accompanied by dislocations, subluxations and fractures, which only aggravates the situation and prolongs the rehabilitation period.

Many patients do not understand the danger of ligamentous injury. Refusal of medication and rehabilitation treatment leads to the fact that the injury begins to bother the patient constantly. Patients complain of aching pain in the area of ​​the rupture, the development of joint blockade, and the progression of destructive-dystrophic diseases of cartilage and bone tissue.

As a result, a person dooms himself to long-term use of painkillers, chondroprotectors, and medications that accelerate regenerative processes in tissues.

To protect yourself from the negative consequences of an injury, it is important to know how to quickly heal and restore ligaments after a sprain, and prevent the development of relapses.

First aid

Doctors often diagnose sprained ligaments of the ankle, knee joint and finger. The elbow, hip joints, and hand are less susceptible to this pathology. Immediately after receiving an injury, the patient must be given first aid, which prevents the development of swelling in the joint area, reduces pain, accelerates the process of fusion of the ends of the ligament. A mild sprain can be cured in 1–2 weeks after competent first aid. The answer to the question of how long it takes for a ligament to recover after a rupture (grade 3 sprain) can only be given by the attending physician on an individual basis.

Step-by-step guide to emergency care for a victim:

Step 1. Elevate the injured joint.

By changing the position of the lower limb, the outflow of blood and lymphatic fluid from the area of ​​injury is achieved, which prevents the development of edema. There is no need to forcefully raise your arm when you sprain your ligaments.

Step 2. Applying ice or a hyporthermic Snowball pack.

The effect of cold on damaged ligaments promotes vasoconstriction, which slows down hemorrhage, the formation of hematomas and edema.

Applying ice to a sprain

Ice should be wrapped in a wet towel. The time interval for application should be observed: the duration of fixation of the ice compress on the injured limb should be no more than 10 minutes, the break should be 2 hours. Prolonged exposure to cold on the skin leads to burns. To use a hypothermic bag, its contents must be crushed without damaging the outer shell. It is unacceptable for the solution to come into contact with the skin or mucous membranes.

Using a caliper after a sprain

Step 3. Protection of injured ligaments using a caliper.

The use of a support accelerates recovery processes and promotes rapid recovery. Traumatologists and orthopedists recommend using a caliper instead of an elastic fixing bandage - an orthopedic device made of dense fabric that compresses small blood vessels (to eliminate hematomas and swelling) and fixes the joint. The support is selected depending on the type of injury and area of ​​damage. It is recommended to use orthopedic devices for at least 3 weeks.

Step 4. Ensure complete rest.

Due to collagen, ligaments have the ability to quickly recover. The optimal regeneration time for damaged microfibers of 1st or 2nd degree of stretching is 72 hours. For this period of time, the limb is immobilized. This helps treat the sprain and prevent the development of joint instability.

Step 5. Taking medications.

Medicines prevent the development of the inflammatory process and reduce pain. The best first aid drug is powder Nimesil. The finely dispersed structure of the drug is quickly absorbed into the blood and blocks pain impulses. If the patient is diagnosed with a complete tear of the ligament or an accompanying bone fracture, then the medical staff administers narcotic painkillers.

What not to do when providing first aid:

  1. Press on the sprained area, knead or massage. When fibers rupture, it is not recommended to improve blood circulation, since such actions lead to aggravation of the inflammatory process, the limb swells, and the pain intensifies.
  2. Apply heat to the ligaments. It is strictly forbidden to apply hot compresses (a mistake when treating sprains at home), warm the injured arm or leg in pine or salt baths, or use warming ointments in the first 4 days after the injury (Capsicam, Viprosal B, Nayatoks).
  3. Make active or passive movements of the limb. Physical activity in the first 72 hours leads to further rupture of microfibers. As a result, to connect the ends of the ligament, it will be necessary to resort to surgical manipulations.
  4. Drink alcohol to reduce pain. Alcohol-containing drinks enhance or weaken the effect of medications, which leads to a significant decrease in effectiveness or poisoning.

Drug therapy

Sprains can be cured with the help of medications, the action of which is aimed primarily at reducing inflammation, normalizing blood circulation, strengthening the vascular wall and eliminating pain.

When diagnosing grade 1 or 2 sprains, doctors prescribe drugs from the group NSAIDs, venotonics, homeopathic medicines in the form of ointments. Applying the drug directly to the skin allows the active substance to quickly penetrate the lesion and reduce symptoms.

ATTENTION! It is impossible to cure a ligament tear with medication. Treatment with medications is aimed solely at reducing symptoms . It is almost impossible to influence the rate of ligament regeneration using tablets or ointments.

If, as a result of a strong blow or fall, the ligament structures are torn off, then doctors additionally prescribe painkillers in tablet form. In severe cases, immediate surgical intervention is required, which is aimed at suturing the ends of the ligament and fixing it with an orthosis or plaster.

NSAIDs

NSAID drugs

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have proven effective for musculoskeletal injuries.

Advantages of drugs in this group– easy tolerability, rapid penetration into the site of the inflammatory process, reduction of pain, prevention of accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the area of ​​damage.

To cure a damaged ligament, the patient needs to apply the ointment at least 3 times a day. Combining anti-inflammatory drugs with venotonic or homeopathic remedies is not recommended.

The most prescribed NSAIDs in the form of ointments and tablets are shown in Table No. 1.

NSAIDs in the form of ointments NSAIDs in tablet form
Aertal ArthroCam
Butadion Brufen SR
Valusal Deblock
Voltaren Emulgel Naklofen SR
Diklak Ortofen
Indomethacin Xefocam
Nise Nise
Sulaydin Aponil
Febrofeed Prolide

Venotonics

If ligaments are injured after a blow or fall, the integrity of the vascular walls may be compromised. Increased fragility of blood vessels, the formation of subcutaneous hemorrhages, progression of edema, the occurrence of thrombosis (due to platelet adhesion to the surface of the vascular wall), and increased inflammation are diagnosed.

To prevent the negative consequences of sprains, doctors prescribe the use of venotonic and venoprotective agents. Damage to the walls of blood vessels can be cured using drugs in the form of ointments and capsules. However, to increase efficiency and shorten the rehabilitation period, it is recommended to use both dosage forms in combination.

Ointments or gels should be applied to the affected area 2 times a day. If damage to the skin is diagnosed, then you should limit yourself to taking venotonic capsules.

INTERESTING! To quickly cure a sprain and increase the effectiveness of venoprotective drugs, doctors additionally prescribe ascorbic acid .

For the names of venotonic drugs that can be used to treat sprains, see Table No. 2.


Accelerate fusion with homeopathic medicines

Homeopathic remedies quickly reduce the inflammatory process that occurs when a ligament ruptures, eliminate pain, and reduce the risk of developing tissue edema.

The main advantage of this group of drugs is absolute safety. It is worth noting that, compared to NSAID drugs, homeopathic remedies exhibit a pharmacological effect more slowly, but the risk of complications or relapses after taking homeopathic drugs is much lower.

Rules for the use of homeopathic medicines:

  1. while taking homeopathic remedies in the form of tablets, it is advisable to stop using other medications;
  2. It is recommended to store ointments or tablets in a dark, cool place, away from electromagnetic radiation (telephone, TV, refrigerator, microwave, etc.);
  3. drugs of this group must be applied or taken strictly at the same time (the treatment plan is selected on an individual basis);
  4. you cannot interrupt the course of treatment, even if the unfavorable symptoms have disappeared.
NOTE! To speed up the healing process and completely cure the ligaments after an injury, doctors additionally prescribe an appointment, which necessarily includes B vitamins .

Sprains can be treated with the following homeopathic remedies:

  • Rus DN (ointment);
  • Rus GF (ointment);
  • Antisol (drops);
  • Repisan (drops);
  • Traumeel S (solution for periarticular administration);
  • Traumeel S (ointment).

Features of surgical intervention after rupture

Surgery is indicated only for sprains ligaments of the 3rd degree with separation of the ends of the fibers, separation of a ligament with a bone fragment(with concomitant bone fracture). Medical staff are confident that in other cases, sprains can be cured with conservative therapy.

Knee arthroscopy after sprain

Pathological rupture of knee ligaments joint leads to deformation of the limb and unnatural joint mobility. To restore the fibers of injured anterior cruciate ligament Doctors do not use standard stitching methods. Since this ligament does not have a regenerative property (there is no chance of spontaneous fusion of fibers), doctors use grafts.

The process of stitching the ligaments is carried out using arthroscopy. This method avoids opening the cavity of the knee joint. The surgeon makes several incisions, introduces micro-instruments for manipulating connective tissue and the optical part of the camera.

Ankle surgery carried out no earlier than 1 month after injury.

Ankle arthroscopy after sprain

Indications for the procedure:

  • dislocation of the talus with accompanying damage to the ligamentous apparatus;
  • divergence of the tibiofibular syndesmosis;
  • ankle fracture, which is accompanied by pathologies of the syndesmosis.

The operation is performed using an arthroscope. In case of rupture of the syndesmosis, the doctor sutures the fibers of the anterior tibiofibular ligament and fixes it with a cortical screw. If a severe injury to the ankle joint with damage to the syndesmosis is diagnosed, the doctor can fix the ligament with several screws at the same time.

Surgical procedures for ruptured hip ligaments are prescribed in case of complete separation of the quadriceps muscle above the kneecap. It is recommended to carry out the operation no later than a week after the injury. To quickly cure a ligament tear, you must contact a surgeon within the first 72 hours. Such timing is due to the fact that the quadriceps muscle has the ability to contract quickly. Restoring the length of a tendon that has “crept” upward is problematic.

Simple suturing of the ends of the ligament is prescribed if sufficient tissue is preserved. The doctor places several thick stitches with a thread that does not dissolve.

If the ends of the ligament cannot be connected, doctors resort to lengthening the muscle fibers by attaching a fragment of the quadriceps tendon (which is cut from the proximal part).

Surgical treatment of the elbow joint consists of performing arthroscopic surgery by suturing the ends of muscle fibers. Doctors categorically prohibit working on a joint if the patient is diagnosed with an infectious disease, the development of arthrosis (grade 3 or 4 progression), or contracture.

Physiotherapy

To heal a damaged joint and prevent the development of degenerative processes, it is necessary to perform therapeutic exercises that are aimed at strengthening the muscles. It is important to correctly calculate the load when performing exercises in doses.

Exercises begin only after the risk of post-traumatic damage has passed. Before exercise, it is recommended to stretch, which will warm up the muscles and prevent re-tearing of the fibers.

IMPORTANT! While doing the exercises There should be no pain in the joint . If unpleasant symptoms appear, you must stop exercising and consult your doctor.

Exercise therapy for the elbow joint

During the period of immobilization of the elbow joint, isometric exercises aimed at muscle contraction are recommended. It is recommended to tense the muscles rhythmically - 50 times per minute. After a full cycle, you need to take a break for 1-2 minutes. You need to repeat the exercise at least 10 times a day.

After the doctor removes the immobilizing bandage and prescribes the use of an orthosis, the patient is prescribed to perform rotational movements in the elbow joint. Exercises are performed slowly, periodically changing the direction of rotation.

To cure a sprain, you should perform additional exercises:

  1. alternately placing your hands behind your head (imitation of throwing a fishing rod);
  2. clasping your hands behind your back;
  3. performing flexion and extension movements by moving a round object or toy car in front of you;
  4. slowly raising your arms while holding the gymnastic stick above your head.

Elbow exercise video

In this video, you'll learn how to treat an elbow sprain with exercises to build muscle mass and strength in the joint.

Exercise therapy for the hand

Exercises prescribed on day 2 after a wrist sprain are aimed at reducing swelling, contractures, and pain. You can cure a sprain by performing simple exercises - spreading the fingers, followed by returning to their original state, flexion and extension. The frequency of execution is at least 10 times a day.

After 2-3 weeks, you can begin more complex exercises - rotating the hand in different directions, grasping large objects with your fingers, moving a ball with the palm of your hand, modeling from plasticine.

Video with hand rehabilitation technique

From the video you will learn how to heal a hand after a sprain with simple exercises.

Exercise therapy for the knee joint

In the first days after an injury, doctors recommend performing simple exercises - bending and extending the leg at the knee (sitting on the floor), rhythmically tensing the muscles of the thigh and ankle, rolling the foot, rotating the foot, imitating walking while sitting on a chair.

  1. The patient sits on the floor, legs straight. A weight is attached to the affected limb. Slowly raise your leg up, hold for 5-7 seconds and lower it to the floor.
  2. The patient lies on his back, legs bent at the knees and pressed to the chest. Alternately stretch your legs up.
  3. The patient is sitting on a chair. Slowly raise your legs one at a time, imitating riding a bicycle.
  4. The patient stands upright in front of a small stool. Slowly climb up the hill with either your right or left foot.

Video with the basics of exercise therapy for the knee

From the video you will learn how to cure a sprained knee joint using physical therapy.

Exercise therapy for the ankle

It is recommended to start with rotational movements of the ankle in different directions. The pace of exercise should be slow. The number of repetitions is at least 10 times a day in each direction. Next, you can connect your toes - bringing them together and spreading them.

From the second week after the injury, to restore leg mobility in the ankle joint, you need to perform the following exercises:

  1. grasping small objects with your toes;
  2. slow walking with weights;
  3. high and long jumps;
  4. raising on toes;
  5. rolling the ball with the foot from a sitting position.

Ankle exercise video

In this video you will learn how to treat a sprained ankle using physical therapy exercises.

Exercise therapy for the hip joint

Isometric exercises, which are aimed at tightening the hip muscles, will help cure a sprain. They should be started 2–3 days after the ligament ruptures. Rhythmic muscle contractions increase blood circulation and accelerate the process of fusion of fiber ends. You need to tense your muscles for 7–10 seconds. The number of repetitions is at least 10 times a day.

After 7 days, begin the following exercises:

  1. The patient lies on the floor. The legs are bent at the knees and the feet are pressed firmly to the floor. Slowly move your knees to the side and return to the starting position.
  2. The starting position is the same. You need to raise your legs one by one without lifting your pelvis from the floor.
  3. The patient stands with both hands leaning against the wall. Slowly raise your legs, bending the knee joint and pressing them to your chest.
  4. Starting position against the wall. The patient slowly moves his straight leg to the side one by one.

Physiotherapy

Simultaneously with exercise therapy, the doctor prescribes physiotherapy. They are aimed at eliminating the inflammatory process in tissues, reducing congestion, preventing the development of relapses, relieving pain, accelerating the healing process of damaged ligaments.

The main rule is that you can start physiotherapy no earlier than 3-4 days after the injury.

In some cases, the doctor allows recovery procedures only after 2 weeks. Early exposure to the injured ligament increases blood circulation in the sprained area, which contributes to an increase in hematoma, increased inflammation and swelling.

Helps cure sprains magnetotherapy– a common method of restoring damaged fibers. The procedure has a number of advantages:

Magnetic therapy for sprains

  • after the procedure there is a pronounced analgesic effect;
  • with proper systematic treatment, swelling disappears;
  • rapid regression of inflammation in the affected area is visible;
  • the process of restoring the integrity of the fibers is accelerated.

To quickly cure a sprain, the patient is additionally prescribed physiotherapy:

  • inductothermy;
  • paraffin therapy;
  • cryotherapy.

It is worth noting that doctors can prescribe cryotherapy immediately after injury, as a first aid method. Doctors use cryotherapy instead of applying an ice pack or hyperthermic snowball pack to the damaged area.

The effect is achieved through contact cooling of the tissues of the required area - a pronounced analgesic and vasoconstrictor effect is noted. By toning the vascular wall, the process of subcutaneous hemorrhage is slowed down, and the formation of hematomas and edema is prevented.

Results

It is possible to quickly cure a mild or moderate sprain if you follow the rules of first aid and subsequent treatment. The key to restoring the integrity of the ligaments is proper immobilization of the joint. Scientists have proven that ligaments are capable of self-recovery even without additional drug support, but with mandatory exercises that prevent the development of stiffness in the joint and help restore the functionality of the limb.

Have you ever suffered a muscle strain?

Most likely your answer, like 99.99% of the population of our planet, will be “Yes.”

(Although I know one guy who claims that he has NEVER pulled a single muscle or a single joint in his life. But, most likely, he is a) lying, or b) a real-life version of Bruce Willis from Die Hard. And something tells me that most likely option “a”)

Sprains and sprains are an incredibly common injury, affecting more than 3 million people each year. The damage can range from minor (such as a minor neck sprain that only hurts when you turn your head) to very serious (such as damage to your lower back muscles that leaves you unable to walk for days).

The more often you devote time to training and sports, the more you are at risk of suffering such an injury, including sprains, dislocations and even torn ligaments.

This happens when you continually overstress your body in an effort to push yourself to the next level.

There is nothing wrong with this desire.

By training wisely and using proper technique, you significantly reduce the risk of injury. But with regular training, sooner or later an injury will happen, and this article is intended precisely so that you now have an idea of ​​​​what needs to be done when a muscle is pulled.

Proper treatment will help reduce pain and, in most cases, speed up the recovery process and return to your usual workouts.

First of all, it is important to understand the difference between a sprain and a sprained joint. A joint sprain is an injury to a joint, the tissue that connects bone to bone. The most common injury of this type is a sprained ankle.

A sprain, on the other hand, involves damage to the muscles and tendons. Next we will talk about how to act correctly in case of severe sprain of ligaments, that is, muscles.

A muscle strain is a tear in the muscle belly.

In this article we will look at what a sprain is, what to do when a muscle is strained and, probably most importantly, what needs to be done in order to prevent such an injury.

Muscle strain is muscle damage that occurs as a result of rupture of muscle fibers as a result of overexertion. There is also the potential for local bleeding and bruising if the damage from the rupture is extensive enough to rupture small blood vessels.

Muscle strains can occur both during physical activity and during everyday, routine tasks, such as cooking or shopping.

And now for some embarrassing stories...

A week after my 30th birthday, I sneezed and... strained my back. It was so painful that I simply could not walk; I had to move around the apartment on an office chair on wheels.

No matter how stupid and embarrassing this situation may seem, it makes some sense. The muscle strain was due to a sudden, uncontrolled movement that my body was simply not prepared for.

Such sudden movements, unusual for the body, often cause muscle strain, since the body is not ready for such actions. It’s not for nothing that we do a warm-up before training. Another common cause of sprains is overexertion. For example, if you, in pursuit of more defined legs, start doing bench presses with excessively heavy weights, you risk getting a strained calf muscle, a thigh strain, and even foot damage.

Symptoms of a Muscle Strain

You will recognize the stretch immediately. Symptoms include:

  • sudden, sharp pain;
  • increased sensitivity;
  • limited movement;
  • bruising or changes in skin color;
  • redness;
  • swelling of the damaged area;
  • muscle spasms;
  • immobility;
  • weakness.

What to do if you pulled a muscle

If the injury is serious, seek immediate medical attention and do not attempt to treat the sprain at home.

All of the tips below are suitable for minor muscle strains with relatively mild symptoms. If you have any doubts even for a second, be sure to consult your doctor.

What to do in case of sprained ligaments and muscles in the first 24 hours

I will divide the following tips into 3 parts so that you understand what actions to take at each stage and recover as quickly as possible.

Please note that the following methods are only suitable for the first 24 hours after injury!

Rest

The first necessary and mandatory step is to completely stop doing what led to muscle strain. I can't count the number of times I've seen people injure their backs while working out, but continue with the exercise and decide to "get over" it. This approach always worsens the condition.

If you get injured at the gym, the rule of thumb is to stop working out immediately and go home to begin treatment as quickly as possible.

It is very important to stop stressing the muscle to avoid further damage. Over the next 24 hours, try to avoid movements that use the injured muscle as much as possible. And now we are talking not only about sports.

Ice

The sooner you apply ice to the injured area, the better. Hold the cold compress for 20 minutes, then let the muscles rest a little for 20 minutes, then apply ice again, and so on 2 more times.

Ice will help reduce pain and reduce the likelihood of a bright bruise. This is the main property of ice. By itself, it does not contribute to recovery in any way, being only a good pain reliever.

Important! Do not apply ice directly to the skin. Wrap it in a towel.

Tight bandage

A tight bandage will help support the injured muscle. However, make sure that the bandage is not too tight and does not cut off blood flow.

Lift up

If possible, for example, if you have pulled a muscle in your arms or legs, keep the injured part of your body above the level of your heart. This will help avoid significant bruising. If this is not possible, don't worry.

Next 2-3 weeks

Stop using ice 24 hours after injury. Several recent studies have confirmed that prolonged use of ice for sprains slows down the recovery process.

The irony is that Dr. Gabe Mirkin, who created the popular “rest + ice” regimen, now refutes it himself:

“Many athletes have used my approach for decades to solve the problem of sprains, but it turned out that using ice in conjunction with rest, on the contrary, slows down the healing process of the wound. In a recent study, athletes were told to train so intensely that they developed severe muscle damage, causing severe soreness. Although cooling delayed the onset of bruising, it did not speed up recovery."

As it turns out, ice actually delays the healing process because it prevents blood flow to the damaged area, preventing the cells responsible for repairing damaged tissue from reaching their target. In addition, even after the ice is removed from the skin, the cooling effect, which impedes blood flow, continues for at least another 2-3 hours.

But it’s not just ice that should be avoided during this period of time.

As you may have noticed, Dr. Mirkin mentions that a combination of cooling and rest slows down the recovery process. Many of my clients confirm this theory.

Your goal for the next 2-3 weeks should be muscle recovery. Gradually increase the load, returning to the usual. But stop as soon as you feel pain.

Pain doesn't just happen. Also, during the recovery period, try to drink enough water, at least 10 glasses a day. Additionally, you can take fish oil.

Water and fish oil maintain and improve the elasticity of muscle tissue, and also reduce pain and inflammation. These two “supplements” should be present in your diet in any case, but in case of injury you should pay special attention to this.

As for training, I can advise you not to stop training. However, during the recovery period, try to significantly reduce the load and avoid doing exercises on the damaged part of the body. For example, if you have a shoulder strain, you can still train your legs without any problems.

On the other hand, if you have injured your lower back and are experiencing some problems with balance, then it is better to give up going to the gym for a while.

After 2-3 weeks

After 2-3 weeks the pain should go away and you should be back to your normal self. Again, this is a minor injury. If the damage is more serious, consult a doctor.

The waiting time, 2 or 3 weeks, is completely determined by you. You know your body better than anyone else.

You can now return to exercises that target the injured muscle. But don't overdo it, start with a lighter weight. The very last thing you should be looking for at this stage is re-injury. I prefer to reduce the load by 50% at first. If all goes well, I increase it to 70% and stay at that weight for the next couple of weeks. Even if you feel strong, never return to your previous load right away.

You can also add a few exercises to stretch the injured muscle. In this case, also start with lighter versions of the exercises. Stretching will help restore mobility that may have decreased during the forced rest.

And finally, I advise many people to do a deep massage during this period. This will help avoid the formation of scars, which cause chronic pain and often make it impossible to fully recover.

A few words about painkillers

You probably noticed that the entire article never talked about pain medications, and that's for a reason. I'm actually not a fan of using painkillers for minor muscle strains.

As mentioned earlier, the pain did not just appear. Pain is a protective mechanism that helps you avoid making an injury worse by overexerting the injured muscles. Once you get rid of pain, you will not be able to understand where to stop and can harm your body even more.

How to Avoid Muscle Strains

As mentioned earlier, it is almost impossible to completely avoid sprains. I don't know a single person (except for that liar) who has never received such an injury. But just because you can't completely avoid sprains doesn't mean you can't minimize the risk. Yes, an attack of sneezing or coughing is unexpected, but during training you are more than able to control what happens.

Rule number one is to always watch your posture. Incorrect posture, incorrect execution technique - the risk of injury increases significantly. Don’t lift weights that are too tough for you, and don’t try to impress your friends and other gym goers.

Warm up thoroughly before your workout: 5 minutes on the treadmill, jumping rope, or a couple of warm-up sets with minimal weight. Warming up makes muscle tissue more elastic, reducing the risk of injury.

And finally, WATER and FISH OIL are two products that play an important role not only in muscle integrity, but also in the health of the body as a whole. Try to make water and fish oil an integral part of your diet.

Be careful and, hopefully, you will not soon have the need to return to this article to remember what to do when you have a muscle strain.

Muscle strain | Symptoms of sprains

Muscle strain can occur with sudden movements, with excessive physical exertion on unheated, undeveloped muscles. When stretched, damage to the muscle fiber structure occurs, which can be accompanied by swelling and hematomas.

Pain when moving and walking, limited mobility, limping are common signs of sprains not only of the ankle.

Muscle strain | Treatment

Muscle strain is a fairly common injury. An unpleasant situation that leads to injury can happen to a person of any age, and not only during dancing and sports, but also simply in everyday life. That is why everyone needs to know the tactics of treating muscle strains.

There are three main principles for treating muscle strains:

  1. Cold
  2. Fixation and support with a bandage
  3. Peace

The remaining drugs are used as auxiliary therapy aimed at speedy muscle recovery and recovery of the patient.

How to eliminate pain from muscle strain

Pain relief for strained muscles

Treatment for muscle strains begins with pain relief. To relieve pain, you can apply an ice pack or something cold to the damaged area - frozen vegetables, ice cubes, naturally, having previously protected the skin from hypothermia with a cloth or towel.

Load limit

After receiving an injury, it is necessary to completely limit the load on the injured muscle for a period of 36-48 hours, depending on the severity of the injury. In this case, the injured limb should be kept elevated. After this time has passed, gentle exercise in small doses is allowed.

Immediately after an injury, be sure to apply an elastic bandage - this will help reduce pain and relax the injured muscle.

Use of anti-inflammatory drugs for muscle strain

To reduce pain, it is possible to use topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - diclofenac, ketoprofen, piroxicam and others. They will suppress aseptic inflammation that can occur in the damaged muscle and reduce pain.

Anti-inflammatory creams based on collagen

Muscle strain - collagen-based anti-inflammatory creams Collagen Ultra Cream

On the first day after the injury, it would be appropriate to begin local treatment of sprains using collagen-based creams - they will not only relieve pain, but also replenish the balance of collagen in the body, normalize the condition of damaged muscles, cartilage and tendons.

In 48 hours muscle strain, the treatment of which was complete and adequate in the first day after injury, is significantly reduced. You can already apply light loads on the damaged muscles, perform smooth and gentle physical exercises in order to stretch them. It is useful to carry out physical exercises during hot baths - this will increase blood flow to the damaged muscle and speed up its recovery.

After an injury, small but regular exercise is necessary. If the muscle of the lower limb is damaged, you can slowly load the sore leg using walking with a cane. It is recommended to wear an elastic bandage during physical activity.

In the next 2 days After an injury, it is possible to use physiotherapeutic treatment methods. Treatment of sprains is usually carried out using electrical myostimulation, acupuncture and other methods.

Treatment for sprains can last from 1 to 6 weeks. The most effective is an integrated approach using methods of official and traditional medicine.

Post navigation