Earlier this year, Cardinals’ outfielder, Austin Dean, was put on the 10-day injured list after suffering a right elbow strain. The injury occurred after he threw a ball in from the outfield during the September 13th game against the Cincinnati Reds. If you have experienced a strain like this, then you know it can be a painful injury. Thankfully, there are several things you can do to treat this injury in order to get back in the game.
RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)
Rest is one of the most important things you can do for your injured elbow. Avoid lifting anything with your injured arm or moving your elbow. You may want to use a sling to both protect it and to avoid using it as this could cause further injury.
You will also want to ice the injured area for 15-20 minutes at a time. Be sure to wrap the ice in a towel or otherwise put a cloth separation between your injured elbow and the ice. Placing ice directly onto your skin could cause skin damage.
When not icing your injured elbow, an elastic wrap should be worn around it to compress and help reduce the swelling. Your elbow should be secured within the wrap, but not too tight to allow for good circulation.
Whenever possible, you should also elevate your elbow above your heart. Doing so reduces swelling and also helps fluids flow away from your injury. One suggestion is to prop your elbow on pillows when icing to provide comfort while your injury heals.
Medicine and Medical Care
As part of your pain management, and to help with inflammation, you may want to take anti-inflammatory pain medication, like ibuprofen. This can be obtained over the counter.
If over-the-counter pain medicines do not help, if you heard a popping sound when the injury happened, or if the injury gets worse, it is likely time to see a doctor. Your doctor may take an x-ray, or an MRI, to determine the extent of the damage. They may also provide a splint or cast to better immobilize the injured area. In some cases, physical therapy or surgery might be necessary.
Whether you’re a professional athlete, like Austin Dean, a high school or college athlete, or are an active individual, we’re experts when it comes to treating any strains and we want to make sure that you’re back to normal before returning to the sport or daily activity that you enjoy. To learn more about treating an elbow strain and other sports injuries, contact us today.