A Sprain or a Break Needs Quick Treatment

If your child plays for the Santa Rosa American Little League and dreams of being a San Francisco Giant one day, you are probably not a stranger to sports injuries—especially to the feet and ankles. Being able to tell if an injury is a sprain or a break is very important to getting the right treatment and being able to fully recover and stay in the game.

A sprain is trauma to the ligaments. It can range in severity and may involve damage to the surrounding tissues as well. You may find that you have bruising, swelling, inflammation, and pain. To treat a sprain you must rest your feet. Follow the RICE method: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Discontinue the activity that caused the sprain while your foot heals. You may find that physical therapy can help get you back to full strength.

A fracture is an injury to the bones. A bone can be broken in one place or in multiple areas. When a bone breaks, it can cause damage to surrounding parts of the foot including the ligaments and the joints. You will feel immediate pain, and there might be swollenness, redness, and bruising. Most likely you will not be able to put any weight on the foot because of the pain and instability. Any time you suspect a broken bone, come in and see us as soon as possible so that treatment can occur. Your bone may need to be set back into its correct position, and you will have to immobilize the area (by way of a cast or splint) until it heals.

For more information on treating a foot sprain or a break, call Dr. John Hollander at 707-578-1222 to schedule an appointment. You want any injury—to you or your child—to be treated quickly and so it will heal well and avoid future complications, so don’t hesitate to call.