What Is the Best Treatment for a Ligament Sprain?

A sprain happens when a ligament — a tough band of tissue connecting your bones and stabilizing your joints — is stretched or torn. Sprains can happen just about anywhere in your body, but they’re most common in your ankles, knees, wrists, and thumbs.

Ligament sprains are painful, and they can seriously limit your mobility. The good news is that prompt treatment can help you heal and regain your strength, and our team at Full Orthopedics Urgent Care in North Miami Beach, Florida, is ready to help. Here’s what you need to know if you think you have a ligament sprain. 

Common symptoms of a ligament sprain

Like any injury, the severity of a sprain can range from mild to severe. A few of the most common symptoms are:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Joint instability
• Limited range of motion

Ligament sprains typically hurt more when you’re moving or trying to bear weight on the affected joint. Swelling around the joint is common, and depending on the severity of your sprain, you might feel like your joint is loose or unstable.

If you suspect you’ve sprained a ligament, don’t try to walk it off or wait it out. Seek medical attention to assess your injury and rule out other conditions like more severe tears or even fractures.

When to go to urgent care for a ligament sprain

Sprains are common, but that doesn’t mean they’re not serious. Untreated sprains can take a long time to heal, and improper or slow healing can increase your risk of future sprains and more severe injuries.

That means if you’ve suffered an injury, the best thing to do is get it checked out. Our urgent care team is equipped to provide quick and accurate diagnoses, ensuring you receive the best care as soon as possible.

When you visit us for a suspected sprain, we do a thorough physical examination, which may include imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs to evaluate the severity of your sprain and rule out fractures or other injuries.

Once we’ve determined the extent of your sprain, we’ll create a personalized treatment plan designed to relieve your pain, promote healing, and restore function.

The best treatments for ligament sprains

The treatment we prescribe for your ligament sprain will depend on its severity and your overall health. A few of the most common methods include:

1. Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE)

Resting the affected joint protects against further strain, and applying ice for about 20 minutes at a time helps reduce swelling and pain. Compression with a bandage can also minimize swelling, and elevating the injured area above your heart level promotes circulation to accelerate healing. 

2. Immobilization

For moderate or severe sprains, we might recommend a brace, splint, or sling to stabilize your joint while it heals. Using assistive devices like crutches or a cane can help you avoid putting weight on the injured area during the recovery process.

3. Anti-inflammatory medications

We may recommend over-the-counter or prescribed medications to help manage your pain and inflammation. If you have severe pain or swelling, steroid injections may be a good option to help reduce inflammation quickly. 

4. Physical therapy

With your immediate discomfort and swelling managed, we turn our focus to longer-term recovery. Gentle exercises and stretches can improve flexibility, strengthen your surrounding muscles, and restore your range of motion as your body heals. Participating in physical therapy can also help reduce your risk of re-injury in the future.

Suffering a ligament sprain can be frustrating, but it doesn’t have to slow you down for long. The right treatment plan can help you recover fully and avoid long-term complications, and our team at Full Orthopedics Urgent Care is here to help. Call our office, check in online, or stop by anytime.