Foot Sprain - I have a multitude of questions?

I sprained my left foot quite badly yesterday falling in the parking lot at work and drove myself to Emerg within 90 minutes of the injury. X-rays did not reveal a break or a fracture. I was given crutches (which I cannot use) and am crawling everywhere. I live alone and everything is an ordeal.





a) A friend is going to bring me her air cast tomorrow. Can I use this right away? If not, how long should I wait?


b) I am finally using a tensor bandage (arrived tonight 24 hours after the incident), and trying to ice as often as possible but am not prepared for this and do not yet have all the things I need. What is a "must have" list for treating a sprain and living with impaired mobility?


c) Can I skip using the crutches? - already had a second fall from trying to hop with them, and I cannot use my left foot at all. How the h*ll am I going to get around?


d) What general advice can you offer to help a speedy recovery?

Foot Sprain - I have a multitude of questions?
Answers:


A: You can use the air cast right away, no problem.


B: The treatment of choice for a sprain/strain is rest, elevation (at all times while sitting or laying), you should reduce "weight bearing" on the foot for a few days (hence the crutches), ice is applied every 2 hours for 20 minutes for the first 48 hours, then you should alternate ice packs with warm, moist heat, again 20 minutes every two hours. Anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Motrin or Tylenol) should be used for the pain and swelling.


C: You should have been instructed in the use of the crutches at the ED, crutches should be used, but they need to be used appropriately. You might visit the hospital again for reinstruction, or call the local pharmacies/surgical supply stores to see if there is someone who could teach you proper use.


D: It is according to how bad the sprain/strain is. If it is the worse kind, i.e. "third degree", there is minute bleeding of the tissues and a lot of pain/swelling, this could take longer to heal, and if you don't stay off the foot to assist in the healing process it will take longer. The most minor sprain/strain is a "first degree", this tends to heal faster but the above plan of care should be followed for this sprain/strain as well.


E: You need to follow up with either your primary care MD or an orthopedist in a week or two to be certain that the healing process is moving along as expected.
Reply:Treatment for a sprain or strain depends on the extent of the injury and generally comes in two stages. In the first 24 to 48 hours following the injury, the goal is to reduce both swelling and pain. A sprain or strain should be treated using the formula known as RICE - an acronym used to remember how to take care of injuries that stands for:





Rest. The child should not use the injured area for 48 hours to give it a chance to properly heal. For leg injuries, this may mean staying off the feet completely.








Ice. An ice pack should be applied to the area of the child’s injury for 20-minute periods four to eight times a day. Ice should not be applied directly to the skin. Cold packs or ice in a plastic bag covered with a towel are good ways to apply this therapy. Heat should never be applied to an injury for at least 24 hours, because it is likely to increase both swelling and pain.








Compression. Elastic wrap bandages, splints, air casts or special boots should be applied around an ankle, knee or wrist that has been injured. This can help reduce swelling.








Elevation. When possible, the injured area should be elevated above the level of the heart.





Check out more information on sprains below-I think you'll find it helpful~http://pediatric.health.ivillage.com/fir...
Reply:I can offer no more than the excellent advise given by ursamaj2 and ivillage4women...





But a bit of sympathy wouldn't hurt!.





Sorry to hear about you sprain! Hope you get better fast!
Reply:I suggest you stay with your family until your foot gets better so you can get the help you need or at least until you can get around %26amp; start doing things for yourself again. Too bad you don't have a man to love %26amp; care for you when your injured or sick b/c my husband takes good care of me everytime i'm not feeling well. I am blessed :)
Reply:Try to stay off it as much as possible. It will be easy to injure again. Be careful.
Reply:elevate, ice, antinflammatory, no weight bearing. Learn to use the crutchs properly.