Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

Ooh! Aah! Ouch!

A sprain is not just a pain in the neck. It is your body's way of rebelling when you stretch it beyond a limit

IT HURTS Treat a sprain with lots of rest

Wake up one morning and find you cannot see what is to your right? Aha! Yet another sprain is at work.

So, what is this thing that strikes us at one time or another and effectively renders us unfit to carry out even the most basic of our functions and when even the slightest of movements is excruciating?

Technically, a sprain is a condition where ligaments (the tissue that surrounds a joint), tendons (the tissue around muscles) and muscles suffer partial damage because of a sudden stretch.

Limits of endurance

Ligaments and tendons are like rubber bands and can only stretch up to a point. When pushed beyond their limits of elasticity, they suffer a bruise or a mild tear or snap completely.

Luckily, most people get away with just mild to severe pain, swelling and lots of inconvenience. The less lucky ones suffer a bit more.

"A sprain can happen as a result of a fall, an awkward twist or simply bad posture," says Dr. S. Rajasekaran of Ganga Hospital and President of the U.K.-based World Orthopaedic Concern. While the first two cannot be avoided, the third can.

"Every profession demands a particular posture. But, most flout it," he says.

How often have you kept punching into your keyboard cradling a phone in one ear? Or slouched in your seat as you checked mail? "When you maintain an abnormal posture for a long period, the muscle undergoes fatigue and the ligaments are put to strain. That manifests as a sprain," he adds.

"However, the good thing is that a sprain cannot cause permanent damage. It is usually temporary," says Dr. Rajasekaran.

The hitch is that there is no sure way of knowing what actually triggers a sprain.

"Something else can cause pain similar to a sprain. For instance, a sprain in the knee joint could actually be damage to the cartilage," he says.

Evaluation vital

"This is where evaluation plays such a key role," says Dr. R. Soundarapandian of the Bone and Joint Hospital and Research Centre, Chennai. "It is necessary to carefully examine the affected area and eliminate all possibilities. Consult a doctor when in pain. The pain may be due to a simple sprain or even damage to the bone. An X-ray will help assess the situation," he advises.

Dr. Rajasekaran agrees. "If the pain persists despite rest and a compress to the affected area, meet the doctor. Don't ignore it," he says.

While you can afford to take sprains in the ankle, knee and wrist less seriously, Dr. Soundarapandian warns that a catch in the back must be attended to immediately. "The limb is a simple joint. But, when it comes to the back, so many things can mimic a catch. It can be a mild sprain or something as serious as the rupture of a disc between two bones."

Who is prone to getting a sprain? Anyone, but athletes, who put their musculoskeletal system to maximum stress in events such as high jump and long jump and those who play sports where mobility is involved (tennis, badminton etc.) are more prone to getting it while landing on their feet.

The solution? Rest, say doctors. A cold compress might help. And, avoid putting any weight on the area. But, don't expect the pain to vanish immediately. It will linger for some time till the ligaments heal. A crepe bandage over the affected area might provide some relief.

TRIGGERS

Pain zones

Ankle _ if you turn your ankle or land on it
Knee _ if you hit your knee or twist it
Wrist _ when you land on an outstretched hand
Thumb _ common in skiing and other sports

Fitness matters

Ensure you are physically fit to play a sport
Warmup before any game or exercise
Run on even surfaces
Maintain correct posture

SUBHA J RAO

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail