Injuries: What You Don’t Know Will Hurt You
The term “injury” is very general. It can mean a twisted ankle or it can be a burn that covers a large percentage of the body. An injury can be caused by slipping on the street, or by being in a car accident. This guide will touch upon some of the most common injuries and lead you to places on the Web where you can learn about them and find the steps you should take to treat these injuries.
Expand All Guide SectionsSprains and Strains
Sprains and strains are not the same thing. A sprain happens when a ligament (the tissue that connects bones) is torn or stretched, while a strain occurs when a muscle or tendon is torn or stretched. They are paired together here because the symptoms and treatments are similar. The links below should help you distinguish one from the other, and aid with any other questions you may have.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Contusions (bruises) were not included in this guide, but they are most similar to sprains and strains. A contusion results from a tissue or bone injury that doesn’t break the skin. Many of the sites below will also touch upon contusions.
- A number of the sites recommended have similar information, but each one brings up at least one slightly different element. We’ve provided a number of sources to help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
Dulcinea's Picks
For an overview …
The National Institute of Health
provides this short explanation of sprains and strains. The facts are not very detailed, but you’ll get an easy-to-understand overview.
MedlinePlus
offers this slide-show introduction to sprains and strains. Simple and comprehensive, it begins with the anatomy involved, and then goes into what fractures and sprains are, the treatment, precautions, risks, and complications associated with them, and then a summary. The information is written as well as narrated, and it is accompanied by pictures.
The Mayo Clinic
has a section differentiating mild, moderate, and severe sprains and strains, so you know exactly what you are dealing with. The treatment section is also a bit more comprehensive than the previous links.
The National Athletic Trainers’ Association
has this comparison chart that, unlike the other sites in this section, includes contusions in addition to sprains and strains. The site also suggests the acronym “R.I.C.E.” to help you remember what to do for a mild injury: rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
The New York Times
offers an article titled “Personal Health: Sprains, Strains and Other Motion Ailments” in its Health section. It avoids the dry format of the health organizations and hospitals, and uses some anecdotes to illuminate exactly what these injuries entail and how to diagnose and treat them.
For causes, symptoms, and diagnoses …
E-MedicineHealth
has an introductory section on symptoms of strains and sprains. Click through to the next page of this article and you’ll learn when to seek medical attention as well as tips to help you treat your injury at home.
The Columbus Children’s Hospital
site has descriptions of sprain and strain injuries to specific body parts—ankle sprains and lower back strains, for example—and not strains and sprains in general.
For treatment and prevention …
HealthWorld Online
explains treatment and prevention for sprains and strains. Explore the list of general safety measures used to avoid injuries such as those sustained when clearing icy walkways when it snows. The list of “Don’ts,” which includes not bending at the waist when reaching down to pick up something, might help you avoid some injuries (if you can avoid the advertisements).
MedicineNet.com
offers this description of sprains and strains. The treatment and prevention section is particularly useful. You’ll learn how to reduce initial swelling and pain and how to go about rehabilitation. The prevention section includes useful tips for protecting yourself from injury, such as running on even surfaces.
The State Compensation Insurance Fund of California
provides specific tips (such as how to lift heavy objects) to help workers steer clear of injuries on the job.
The University of Maryland Medical Center
points out some herbs and supplements you can use to aid recovery from a strain or sprain. The site lists four treatment options—arnica, comfrey, horsetail, and stinging nettle—with a lengthy description of each and how to use each one.
eVitamins.com
focuses on supplements and herbs to treat sprains and strains. Although this site provides more variety than the University of Maryland Medical Center, it is a less credible medical resource.
Fractures and Broken Bones
Fractures are technically broken bones, although they are often thought to be less serious. ... read more »
Burns
The American Burn Association states that about 1.1 billion Americans per year require medical ... read more »
Other Injuries
Unfortunately, the world of injuries is not limited to those found above. This section will show ... read more »
© 2012 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
