Muscle and ligament injuries, known as strains and sprains, are common during spring and summer months as people engage in more outdoor physical activity. Ligaments can be stretched too far, resulting in these injuries, which commonly affect the ankles, knees, back and wrists. Resting the injured area and avoiding physical activity in the first 24-48 hours is crucial for quick healing. Icing and elevating the injured area also helps reduce swelling.

1. INJURIES TO MUSCLES
AND LIGAMENTS
By Dr. Ali Ghahary

2. With nice weather and
increasing temperatures
as a result, more
Canadians will find
themselves wanting to
partake in outdoor
physical activity.

3. As such, the risk of
muscle and ligament
injuries tends to inflate
during spring and
summer months.

4. Ligaments being stretched too
far usually cause these
injuries, otherwise known as
strains and sprains. Some of
the most common ligament
injuries that Dr. Ali Ghahary
sees in patients at Brentwood
Medical Clinic include injuries
to the ankles, knees, back and
wrists.

5. While individuals who are not
used to frequent physical
activity are more at risk to
developing such strains and
sprains, even those who are
active on a regular basis can
become prone to these kinds
of injuries, including football
players, basketball players,
tennis players and other
athletes.

6. Other risk factors of strains
and sprains include fatigue,
environmental factors, and
poor muscle conditioning.
While our muscles are
designed to stretch, if
stretched too far a strain can
result. Similarly, sprains are
also caused by ligaments
being stretched beyond their
limits due to their lack of
elasticity.

7. Signs of strains and sprains
include pain in the location
of the injury, difficulty
bending the injured area,
bruising and swelling.
Physicians will typically
grade the severity of the
injury into two separate
categories: Grade 1 & 2,
and Grade 3.

8. Grade 1 & 2 injuries are
partial injuries to the
ligament, whereas Grade 3
injuries are complete tears
and require more extensive
treatment. While pain due to
strains and sprains generally
only last 7 to 14 days, they
are fully dependent on the
intensity of the injury.

9. In order to ensure a
quick healing process,
rest in the first 24 to
48 hours after
sustaining the injury is
absolutely crucial and
you should avoid all
physical activity.

10. Failure to do so may result in
further damage to the
ligaments, thus causing
further pain, so it is important
to remain on bed-rest as
much as possible during this
time. If you are unable to do
so, the use of slings, springs
or crutches will be beneficial
in helping along the healing
process.

11. It is also a good idea to ice the
affected area(s) for the first 48
hours in 10 or 20-minute
intervals. Keeping the injured
area elevated will also help to
significantly reduce swelling. By
not following these important
steps, you may cause further
damage to your body, thus
putting yourself at risk for
repeat injuries in the future.