Sprained Legs: Symptoms and Treatment Methods

2023 Author: Alfred Shackley | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 13:14

Each of us at least once in our life has faced such a problem as a sprain on the legs. No one is immune from such an injury. It can happen in the gym, on the street, at home. You can get pathology when walking in high heels, when rollerblading, figure skating.

You can slip in the winter, jump unsuccessfully, you can just walk down the street and suddenly the leg twists, the pain pierces and the understanding comes that there was damage to the ligaments, that all plans were violated.

Everyone knows that a person's legs are constantly exposed to certain loads when walking, running, and therefore injuries to the lower extremities are not uncommon.

The main cause of ligament problems can be called abrupt movements in the joint, exceeding its capabilities. The ankle joint is particularly affected by such damage, and the knee joint is less affected.

What is this injury? In medical terms, this is a micro-rupture of a ligament - with a slight injury, but with a rupture of collagen fibers, this will already be a moderate injury.

With severe injury, a ligament rupture occurs.

Sprained legs: symptoms

In any case, having received an injury to the leg, you should contact the emergency room. Symptoms of sprains or ruptures of tendons, muscles, fractures or cracks are very similar and only a doctor, having examined the victim and analyzed the foot pictures, can tell what you have.

Fractures are usually accompanied by sprains. Instead of tearing a ligament stretched to the limit, a bone breaks. In this case, it is very difficult to determine the presence of a fracture, because all the symptoms of a tendon sprain are present.

A fracture is characterized by the following differences from a tendon strain, namely:

• it is very painful to move the toes of the injured leg;
• when pressing on the leg, severe pain occurs;
• the leg hurts and aches even at rest;
• there is numbness in the leg below the injury;
• perhaps a visual change in the shape of the limb, a certain bulge appeared;
• at the moment of injury, a crunch is heard.

In addition to fractures, doctors can diagnose a ligament rupture.

The difference between a complete rupture of a ligament and its stretching is as follows:

• more pronounced pain sensations;
• the violation of motor activity is more pronounced.

Stretching symptoms:

• pain that occurs during movement and increases when trying to turn the injured joint;
• pain when pressing on the damaged area;
• joint swelling
• redness of the skin in the area of damage, hematoma formation, hemorrhage at the site of injury;
• limitation of joint mobility with moderate damage, but with severe injury, the joint is excessively mobile and unstable;
• if the tendon ruptures, you can hear a clap.

Three degrees of such damage are diagnosed.

1. At the first, the mildest, the following symptoms are observed: not very strong pain, motor activity is practically not disturbed, slight swelling is possible.
2. For the second degree, the symptoms worsen slightly. Strong pain appears, swelling is present, hemorrhage occurs at the site of injury. Movements are accompanied by quite severe pain and possibly impaired mobility of the joint.
3. The third degree of damage is already a strong sprain, most likely a ligament rupture. Typical symptoms: severe swelling, extensive hemorrhage and hematomas, pathological joint mobility is possible. At this stage, most often surgery occurs.

First aid for injured ligaments on the legs

First aid to the victim includes the following actions:

• First of all, put something cold on the damaged area. This will reduce pain and swelling.
• Wrap the place of damage with an elastic bandage;
• Try to immobilize your leg, sit down, or if it is possible to lie down, while lifting your leg above the level of the heart;
• If so, take pain medication;
• Be sure to contact the emergency room to find out the final diagnosis.

Stretching the ligament on the legs: treatment features

It is necessary to treat this problem depending on the severity. If you have a slight injury, it is enough to apply an elastic bandage for a couple of days. In addition, ice must be applied on the first day (30 minutes every four hours - hypothermia must not be allowed).

Subsequently, heat is applied. It is necessary to improve the blood supply to the site of injury and faster healing. After 3-4 days, start developing the joint. As a pain reliever, you can use Diclac or Voltaren ointments. To improve venous outflow Traxivazin, Lioton-gel.

With the second degree of injury, it is necessary to immobilize the joint for several weeks. To reduce the flow of blood to the injured area, lift your leg above the level of your heart for several days. Apply ice for the first day, but then be sure to dry heat. Ointments in this case are the same as for light damage. For pain relief, you can take pills or injections. Subsequently, the doctor will recommend physiotherapy exercises. The healing process is delayed for a month.

But with the third degree of injury, plaster must be applied, and surgery is also possible. It is necessary to strictly adhere to the doctor's recommendations (treatment, exercise). The healing process takes up to six months.

Stretching: the recovery process

When the main symptoms of the injury pass, after consulting a doctor, you can begin the recovery process.

1. Massage and self-massage - will improve blood flow, remove harmful substances from the body, and cope with muscle spasms. It is carried out in courses of 10-12 days.
2. Physiotherapy exercises - will strengthen the weakened muscles, restore the mobility of the joints. The main thing is to remember: before classes, be sure to warm up. You can't work through pain, you can only worsen the condition of your ligaments and joints. You need to start exercises to restore the joint with stretching exercises, then slowly move on to exercises that strengthen the joint. Gradually build up the exercise load.
3. Physiotherapy:

• UHF therapy: there is an expansion of blood vessels, regenerative and metabolic processes are enhanced;
• ultrasound - the blood and lymph exchange processes are improved, the procedure relieves pain and has an anti-inflammatory effect. After the session, ointments are better absorbed.
• magnetotherapy - due to its implementation, edema is significantly reduced, blood circulation in the limb is improved.

1. Good results are obtained from the use of mud baths.
2. It is necessary to revise your diet towards filling it with protein and calcium. Don't forget about vitamins.

Stretching the tendons: using folk remedies for recovery

For faster recovery from injury, traditional medicine is also used. Before starting treatment using these prescriptions, be sure to check with your doctor. He will tell you what negative manifestations are possible, how to avoid them.

Traditional medicine recipes used to stretch the tendons on the legs:

• The use of bodyagi quickly relieves swelling and inflammation. Dilute the powder with water until a slurry is obtained. Apply as applications;
• Clay. Dilute to the consistency of sour cream, apply on a cloth (preferably linen) and apply to a sore spot for two hours. For convenience, it can be fixed on the leg with an elastic bandage;
• Aloe is best used in the first days after injury. To prepare a compress, grind the leaves and attach to the sore spot. When the mixture is hot, replace it with a new one;
• Laundry soap and yolk. Grate the soap, add the yolk and water in a 1: 1: 2 ratio. The mixture must be soaked in gauze and applied to the leg;
• Vodka. After the puffiness subsides, apply a cloth moistened with vodka to the sore spot.

If the injury is left untreated, then later this can lead to joint instability, bone destruction and as a result you will be limited in movement, pain will be your constant companion.

Prevention of tendon sprains

Stretching prevention measures include:

1. Choosing comfortable shoes;
2. Tracking the road so as not to trip over uneven surfaces;
3. Elimination of excess weight - increased stress on the joints;
4. Attention to physical activity - muscles and ligaments are strengthened. Before classes, be sure to do a warm-up, and after classes - stretching.

When walking, running, a person's legs are exposed to constant stress. And unfortunately, injuries to our legs are not uncommon. In this regard, one should not neglect preventive measures, and if such a misfortune befell you, take all measures to speed up recovery and prevent complications. Good luck!