Hoorah Hoorah its the month of May!!

The summer season has officially begun and with it has come bouncy castle and trampoline season. Without wanting to rain on the parade we must be aware that injuries can happen. Every year without fail I encounter a fairly embarrassed adult (last year 53 years old) with a vague report on how their bump or sprain occurred………. Notwithstanding the more serious injuries which require immediate medical attention what is the best course of action for sprain or strain first aid. The tried and tested remedy of RICE still remains the best first aid principle.

Rest: is important to allow for healing. A person should avoid activities that stress the affected area. Gentle pain-free range of motion exercises are usually helpful.

Ice: refers to cold treatments to treat acute injuries. Ice is recommended to minimise and reduce swelling as well as decrease pain. There are many ways to employ ice treatment at home. The most common is to place a bag of crushed ice or frozen peas over a paper towel on the affected area. I still smile when I think of the gentleman who called to my office many years ago to ask me if he hadn’t peas if frozen sprouts would do the same 🙂 It is important to protect the skin and limit exposure to 10-15 minute sessions every 1 to 2 hours.

Compression: This is the use of a compression wrap or elastic bandage to apply external force to the injured tissue. The compression minimises the swelling and provides mild support.
Elevation: is recommended to help reduce pooling of fluid in the injured extremity or joint. Elevation is accomplished by positioning the injured area above the heart. For many bumps and sprains ice can be secured over the affected area with an elastic bandage and the limb can be elevated achieving simultaneous rest, ice, compression and elevation. Always seek medical assessment if you are in doubt.
“You don’t stop playing when you get old – you get old when you stop playing”.