All About Sprains and Dislocations
Table of Contents
Sprains and dislocations are injuries that affect the joints of the body, with differentiations and similarities between them. They are generally caused by falls, accidents or sudden movements due to sports training.
Each of these injuries causes pain when using the joint and if not treated correctly can cause major long-term damage that may require invasive treatments for improvement.
The important thing to know the details between these injuries is to know what actions to take when recognizing them, possible treatments and care to avoid them.
Learn all about spraining:
It is an injury to the ligaments caused by an involuntary, strong movement in a different direction than the one it is designed to mobilize, which returns the faces of the joint to their natural place but with a tear or stretch in the tendons.
Ligaments and tendons are the fibrous tissues that allow the flexibility of a joint, thanks to them the body can set the limits of flexion and make locomotor mobility possible, when they are exceeded damage is caused in them partially or completely.
When this injury occurs, it can compromise the ligaments, tendons, blood vessels, and joint capsule, making it a painful injury that compromises the mobility of the joint after the event.
Causes:
Sprains can be caused by any sudden movement that exceeds the flexibility limits of the joint. During sports practice we have more risks of suffering this type of injury, especially in high-impact sports such as basketball, athletics, football, etc.
It can happen in any joint from the ankles, knee, hips, elbows, wrists, although it is mostly seen in the knee and ankles.
Severity levels:
Depending on the impact on the joint , damage will be generated in greater or lesser proportion, this means that not all sprains are the same or have the same level of severity.
Partial or mild degree: It refers to a sudden stretching of the ligaments but the tissue is in good condition, without tears or tears.
Incomplete or medium grade: It has to do with a deeper injury that compromises the texture of the tissue where it tears in a part of it.
Full or severe degree: It is a complete tear of the ligaments of the beaten joint.
How does it feel?
When the injury of any joint occurs, in addition to an unnatural movement, you usually feel a painful tension in the area and sometimes an unpleasant sound.
At the same time, you lose stability, strength, and pain when trying to use the joint, this may be the key to determining the severity of the injury.
Subsequently, the affected area becomes inflamed and, as some blood vessels are compromised, a hematoma appears.
What should we do to recover?
Our recommendation when you feel a lot of pain and lose strength in the joint is to go to an orthopedic doctor who can guide you with the best treatment that can range from using physiotherapy, immobilization tools to surgery in the most serious cases.
However, when the injury occurs, it is best to rest completely while the doctor can attend to you.
During rest you can apply a light bandage to help minimize swelling, make sure it does not hinder circulation, if you notice increased pain, numbness or inflammation in other nearby areas, eliminate it.
Apply ice for 15 to 20 minutes every three hours and try to elevate the joint with the help of pillows.
In the case of mild sprains, treatment is based on rest, while severe cases depend on other elements that must be evaluated by a professional.
Learn all about dislocations:
This injury is defined as an abnormal movement, caused by falls, blows, or sudden stretching, that separates the faces of the joint within the anatomical boundary.
It happens very commonly in the shoulders and hips in sports such as gymnastics, American football, etc.
Dislocations require specialist attention due to the complexity of the injury, the degree of pain, the impossibility of movement and the treatment.
Generally, the treatment is based on the return of the joint to its position, which is possible with a strong and precise movement that must be performed by a professional. On many occasions it is necessary to apply painkillers to be able to withstand the procedure.
Subsequently, it is recommended to limit movement with tools such as splints, some medications and rest. Remember to have a trusted orthopedist and traumatologist for these cases of common injuries for athletes, children or young people.
Dr. Jose Felix Castillo is ready to help you when you need it.
