What is a Sprain?
Joint trauma: the ligaments are stretched too fast and too hard. This creates a tear in the ligament tissue. It will be necessary to set up a rehabilitation protocol in order to allow the ligament to heal but also all the muscular structures to prevent a possible recurrence.
A sprain often occurs in the ankle or knee (ankle sprain being the most common). It is an injury by overstretching the ligaments of the joint often during plantar flexion or rotation of the knee. This lesion causes a rupture of certain fibers and can lead to the rupture of the entire ligament. Sometimes the stretch is so strong that it creates a bone tear at the ankle (i.e. an ankle fracture). The other joints, such as the knees, the elbows and the wrists can also be the subject of ligament stretching during a minor sprain, it is our physiotherapists who will treat you during rehabilitation sessions. Specialists in sprains, our physiotherapists treat young and old, and help athletes to resume sport. NB: Medical treatment may be necessary to treat ligament injuries following additional examinations.
The ankle is the most vulnerable to sprains. But what is a sprain? It is a partial stretching or tearing of one or more ligaments of a joint, which connect the bones together. These ligaments are those which, physiologically, give a joint its stability.
A sprain is defined as mild or severe (depending on ultrasound or x-ray). If it's a slight sprain, you probably have pain in the joint, but movement is still possible without too much pain. There may also be swelling of the joint (edema) and the presence of a hematoma or bruise.
If it is a moderate sprain, you will surely have pain in the joint, with a feeling of instability in addition to a bruise (bruise). Swelling may also be observed. If it is a severe sprain (complete immobilization) then you will likely need surgery. You then feel a much more intense pain than a simple stretch and you will have greater difficulty in performing movements. You will also have a rapid swelling, after a few minutes or even seconds and will have difficulty leaning on this member. Finally, you will surely have felt a cracking, and a strong tearing sensation.
The physiotherapists in our practice, KinéOParis, are specialists in the treatment of ligament sprains and tears, for all ages as well as for athletes. When you come to our office, we perform a clinical examination, and read your x-rays, to determine the stage of the sprain. Our physiotherapists take care of light and moderate sprains, which do not require surgery, and which rather require orthopedic therapeutic treatment, but also serious sprains after medical consultation.
In general, physiotherapy is the first choice of your treating doctor. Our physiotherapist will examine you, determine the causes and give you rehabilitation sessions in order to put an end to the pain, restore the movement and stability of your injured joint.
A Strapping or Taping type bandage can be placed and physical activity can also be requested to strengthen your muscles and restore good stability and functionality to the joint.
Our physiotherapists treat ruptured cruciate ligament, ankle ligaments, ankle sprains, ruptured triangular carpal ligament, internal lateral ligament as well as external knee ligament and end with a functional treatment to allow you to regain your full mobility.