Sprains, strains and broken bones
Our providers see thousands of patients every month and hundreds of sprains and strains. Learn more about what they are and how we treat them.
What is a sprain?
Sprains are one of the most common injuries treated by NeuMed. They can happen at any time and in fact, usually result from a twisting, falling, or moving suddenly in a weird way, which damages a ligament, which is the tissue that holds your joints together.
While sprains are very common, it’s still important to have your injury looked at and properly examined by a healthcare professional to rule out any other possible injuries or potential complications, as well as to help determine your best course of treatment.
Signs of a sprain
If you come in for a sprained ankle, knee, foot, arm, or other joint, your NeuMed provider will first start by checking the area for any bruising, swelling, pain, and/or stiffness which are all tell-tale signs of a sprain.
After reviewing your symptoms the provider can determine the sprain grade.
Sprain grades
Sprains are graded by the severity of the symptoms:
Grade I – This least-serious sprain grade involves some stretching and tearing of the ligament, with mild tenderness, stiffness, and swelling. Joint movement may cause only minor pain.
Grade II – Grade II sprains involve an incomplete tearing of the ligament. Pain and swelling will be moderate, and use of the joint may be painful.
Grade III – Grade III sprains result from a complete tear in one or more ligaments. Bruising and swelling can be severe, and use of the joint will be nearly impossible. The joint may also feel wobbly.
How to treat a sprain
Treatment for sprains and strains are essentially the same, time-tested techniques we all should recognize.
Your NeuMed provider will most likely recommend:
- Resting the injured area
- Elevating the joint
- Applying ice with a cloth, 4 to 8 times per day
- Use of compression bandages
- Medication for pain & swelling
- Use of a cane or crutches if sprained foot, knee, or ankle
Common types of sprains
Whether you show symptoms of a sprained ankle, sprained arm, sprained foot, sprained wrist, or muscle sprain, the NeuMed team will provide the compassionate care that you need for a fast recovery—and without the long wait or high expenses of an ER visit..
Strains
Strains are different from sprains as they involve muscles and tendons, as opposed to ligaments although the treatment is exactly the same.
Broken bones
What is a fracture?
A fracture is simply a medical term for a broken bone. NeuMed offers urgent care services for both adult and pediatric fractures. Whether your broken bone results from a sports injury or an accident, it’s important to get medical attention fast to ensure your injury heals properly.
The NeuMed medical staff will determine the severity of your injury and offer the appropriate treatment without the long wait and expense of visiting an ER.
Types of fractures
Your NeuMed provider will examine the area and review the X-rays. If a bone is broken, the provider will evaluate the type of fracture and recommend appropriate care and treatment.
Although most people refer to broken bones by where they are on the body—such as a broken hand, broken wrist, broken heel, or broken femur—there are also different types of fractures. Your NeuMed provider may specify a broken bone as displaced or non-displaced, or open or closed.
Displaced Fracture – when bones break, and the pieces no longer line up.
Comminuted Fracture – When a bone breaks into multiple pieces.
Open or Compound Fracture – when the bone is visible through the skin, carrying an increased risk of infection that will require additional treatment to reduce the risk.
How do broken bones heal?
To ensure faster bone healing, your NeuMed provider will categorize the fracture by type and recommend the appropriate treatment. Proper bone healing requires immobilization of the area affected. In most cases, this will mean wearing a cast, sling, splint, and/or brace.
In extreme cases, fracture treatment may include surgery. Rehabilitation or physical therapy may also be recommended while broken bones are healing, to maintain strength and flexibility in surrounding muscle tissue.
How long does it take for a broken bone to heal?
Once a fracture is properly realigned and immobilized, the body takes over. New cells form, and the old bone tissue is replaced by new, usually within six to eight weeks. In some cases, however, bone healing may take several months.
It is essential to have a broken bone properly examined and diagnosed by NeuMed professionals. We will help make sure that your fracture heals smoothly.