Pediatric Sprains and Strains Treatment Specialist Q&A

A sprain or strain can cause discomfort in your children that should be treated right away. Whether your child rolled their ankle during a soccer game or took a fall on their wrists playing tag, Kids Health Pediatrics can help with diagnosis and treatment. Symptoms of a sprain or strain you can look out for include swelling, pain, bruising, tenderness, warmth, weakness, redness, and trouble moving the injured area.

Sprains and strains in children can be diagnosed through physical examinations and screening tests. Your child may need an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan to get a good look at the damaged area. These scans take detailed images of internal tissues, bones, organs, muscles, and the structures within the body for better diagnosis.

Sprains and strains are common acute injuries in children caused by sudden movements and twisting. Small falls and accidents can cause trauma to the joint moving it slightly out of its normal range of motion. This type of injury is known to affect knees, wrists, ankles, and other vulnerable joints. There are a few preventative measures that can be taken to lessen the chance of your child tearing a ligament or joint:

• Warm up before sports events
• Train properly
• Take 1 to 2 days of rest from competitive sports
• Wear the correct equipment
• Avoid exercise when injured
• Avoid exercise when fatigued
• Eat well to keep your child’s muscles strong
• Wear proper shoes
• Encourage stretching

If your child is experiencing severe pain, discomfort, or disruption in movement, contact your pediatrician or go to an urgent care center. When there is prolonged pain preventing the use of the sprained area, your physician can help your child speedily recover. If you’re unsure and have doubts as to whether or not your child should seek medical attention for a sprain or strain, consult this list:

• Are there increasing levels of pain?
• Do you see any bone deformities?
• Is anything looking out of place?
• Is the injured area changing colors?
• Has the pain lasted for numerous days?
• Is there a head injury associated with the sprain?
• Can they move their arms and legs?

Fortunately, kids are resilient and can bounce back fairly quickly after a sports injury. Even severe sprains and strains can be treated with the hope of full recovery. Treatments for strains and sprains include:

• Rest
• Ice
• Compression
• Elevation
• Pain medications
• Crutches
• Physical therapy
• Splints
• Activity restrictions
• Surgery depending on the severity

If you think your child is suffering because of a sprain or strain, make sure to book an appointment with KidsHealth Pediatrics. Physical activity is such an important part of childhood and we want your kid to get back on their feet as soon as they safely can! For further information on sprain and strain treatment, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Our team of friendly and kind staff is here to answer all your questions. After your initial visit, we may book follow up check ups to ensure your child is recovering and healing from their sprain or strain properly. We serve patients from Glendale AZ, Peoria AZ, Sun City AZ, Scottsdale AZ, North Scottsdale AZ, Grayhawk AZ, and surrounding areas of Phoenix AZ.