Sprains and Strains

Can Urgent Care Address Sprains and Strains?

 

Urgent care facilities are equipped to handle on-site treatment for sprains, injuries that affect ligaments due to stretching or tearing. These injuries commonly occur during activities like walking, lifting, or sports. While minor sprains can often be managed at home with the R.I.C.E. method (rest, ice, compression, elevation) and over-the-counter pain relievers, severe sprains require professional attention. Urgent care doctors can diagnose and treat extremity sprains. Treatment may include splinting or applying compression bandages.

 

Differentiating Between Pulled and Torn Muscles:

 

Distinguishing between a pulled muscle (microscopic tears) and a torn muscle is primarily based on the level of pain and visible signs. Pulled muscles exhibit pain during stretching or stress and typically heal with rest and ice over one to three weeks. In contrast, torn muscles cause severe pain, swelling, bruising, and potential deformities. Full muscle contraction may be difficult or impossible. Unlike pulled muscles, torn muscles often require surgical intervention and subsequent physical therapy. Urgent care facilities can offer referrals to orthopedic specialists for detailed treatment plans in cases of torn muscles.

 

Recognizing Sprains and Strains:

 

Sprains and strains share common symptoms, making it challenging to differentiate. Both involve limited flexibility, inflammation, and pain at the injured site, ranging from mild to severe. The key distinction lies in the affected structures. Sprains involve ligaments (connective tissue between bones in a joint), while strains involve tendons or muscles. Bruising is common with sprains, especially around joints, while muscle spasms are indicative of strains. Diagnostic tools, such as x-rays, may be utilized in urgent care settings to confirm the diagnosis, ruling out fractures and guiding appropriate treatment based on symptoms.