Sprains and Strains
Adults and Teens
Infants and Children
Sprains and strains are common injuries, especially in children involved in sports or physical activities. Sprains occur when ligaments (tissues that hold bones together) are stretched or torn from twisting or falling. This can lead to pain, bruising, and swelling. Strains occur when muscles or tendons (tissues that connect muscle to bone) are stretched or torn. This can cause pain, muscle spasms or weakness, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected joint or limb.
Can I treat this at home or do I need a doctor?
You should take your child to see a doctor right away for a sprain or strain if he or she:
- has an obvious fracture (bone is sticking out or making a grating noise)
- can't move the injured limb or joint
- can't bear weight on the limb (for an injured leg)
- feels the joint us unstable
- experiences severe pain and swelling
- has a fever higher than 37.8°C
- is still experiencing symptoms after 2 weeks or more
Home treatment
Non-medication treatment
Try the RICE strategy if it has been less than 48 hours after your child's injury.
Rest:
- Make sure your child rests the injured area for the first 24 hours so it has time to heal.
Ice:
- Apply an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables to the injured area for about 20 minutes every few hours (4 to 8 times a day). Ice helps reduce swelling and pain by causing blood vessels in the area to constrict.
- Wrap the ice in a towel and don't leave it on your child's skin for more than 20 minutes to avoid frostbite.
Compression:
- Wrap an elastic bandage or wrap around the injured area for the first 24 hours. This reduces swelling by adding pressure to the area.
- Compression also adds extra support to the joint as it heals. Avoid wrapping the bandage too tightly so that blood flow isn't restricted.
Elevation:
- Keep the injured limb raised above the level of the heart to stop fluids from pooling in tissues and causing swelling.
If it has been more than 48 hours and the swelling has gone down:
- Use heat rather than ice. Heat helps relax the muscles and reduce joint stiffness and pain. Apply a hot water bottle or heating pad for about 20 minutes every few hours. Test the temperature of the heat source before applying it to your child's skin to avoid burns.
- Depending on the severity of your child's injury, it may be possible to start gently moving the injured area as it continues to heal. Talk to your doctor or health care professional about possible options that are right for your child. He or she may want your child to wear a splint or brace to keep the injured limb from moving.
Over-the-counter medications
Pain relievers*
- Acetaminophen* (e.g., Tylenol®) and ibuprofen* (e.g., Advil®, Motrin®) can reduce pain caused by sprains and strains..
Ask your pharmacist about which over-the-counter medication is right for your child.
What not to do
Here are some things you should not try and why:
- People less than 18 years old should not use ASA (acetylsalicylic acid) because of the risk of developing Reye's syndrome.
- Aside from the compression required as part of the RICE treatment, don't put additional pressure on the injured area until the pain goes away. Doing so can make the injury worse before it gets better.
- Your child shouldn't rest for too long. Activity restriction is recommended for the first 2 to 3 days, but prolonged resting and not moving will weaken the muscles. If the sprain or strain is mild, your child should start to gently move the injured area after the first 48 to 72 hours. Talk to your child's doctor about how you should go about this.
- Do not use regular kitchen spoons to measure medications because they are not accurate. Ask your pharmacist for an oral syringe or a medication spoon.
* All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For information on a given medication, check our Drug Information database. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
What to expect
Your child should start to feel better in 2 to 3 days. It can often take weeks for a strain or sprain to heal, so be patient and make sure your child avoids activities that could worsen his or her injury. In general, sprains and strains heal quickly in children.
You should take your child to see a doctor if:
- the symptoms (pain and swelling) haven't improved after 14 days
- your child's symptoms are getting worse despite taking pain medication. Talk to your doctor right away.
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