R.I.C.E.
With school athletics back in full swing, our young athletes are fully exposed to all kinds of injuries. Whether it is football, soccer, basketball or any of the other many sports our North Texas schools have our children participating in, all of them can result in twisted ankles, sprained wrists, and even some broken bones. These can result in a lot of swelling near joints and breaks, so it is important to know the best ways to treat these injuries so your child can get back on the field or court after a solid recovery.
When these types of injuries occur, the best process to follow is R.I.C.E – Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.
Rest.
Many athletes feel the need to stay in the game after they’ve been injured. This can be caused by a feeling the guilt and the desire for their team to succeed. What they don’t know is that this attitude can be what causes the downfall of their team. Playing on an injury can significantly hinder an athlete’s abilities, which will result in hindrance of their team as well. It also prevents their injury from getting any better by putting more stress on it. Make sure your child rests so their recovery time is quicker and they can get back out there at 100%.
Ice.
Injuries can be painful and swell a lot. Icing them will help reduce the swelling and minimize pain that is brought to the area. Make sure to ice for 20 minutes at a time every couple hours throughout the first 48 hours from when the injury happened.
Compression.
Wrapping a bandage around the affected area can also help reduce swelling. Be sure to get a good compression going over the injury, but do not wrap too tight, as this can cause more swelling. If your athlete feels tingling or numbness where the wrap is located, be sure to loosen the bandage so that you are not causing more damage to the area.
Elevation.
Keep injuries elevated during recovery. Putting an arm or leg on pillows while icing or resting will also help reduce swelling. If possible, try to keep the injury above the heart and let gravity do its work so that blood isn’t gathered at the site of injury.
Remember, in order for your child to recover their health, follow the R.I.C.E. process! Rest. Ice. Compression. Elevation.