Sprains PDF Print E-mail
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A ligament is a strong and thick bundle of connective tissue which attaches your muscles to your bones. A sprain is an injury to your ligament usually caused by overstretching the ligament.

This injury can cause a significant amount of pain, so much so that you will most likely not be able to use that muscle for a while. The first and most important thing to do if you sprain a ligament is to apply ice to reduce the swelling and inflammation (though you should never apply ice to an area for longer than ten minutes). You should also wrap the injured area tightly with a bandage in order to support and prevent movement of the muscle (be careful not to compromise the blood flow by wrapping it up too tightly). Rest the injured area and allow the injury enough time to heal. Elevation of the injured area also helps to reduce swelling. A severe injury to the ligaments can cause the ligament to tear completely. If you suspect a torn ligament then you should consult your healthcare practitioner.