The best immediate treatment for acute soft tissue injuries is RICE

Most strains and sprains can be dealt with at home but the more severe ones will need to be seen by a doctor. To reduce pain and swelling, remember the acronym RICE - Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation

• R-Rest
  You should rest the injured area for 24-48 hours. Crutches may be needed to take the weight off an injured knee or ankle. Make sure that you know how to use the crutches properly. Use them on the uninjured side to relieve pressure from the injured side. Support a strained elbow or shoulder with a sling.
• I-Ice
  Apply an ice pack (e.g. pack of frozen peas or a bag filled with crushed ice wrapped in a towel) as soon as the injury occurs. Repeat up to three times a day. To avoid frostbite do not apply the ice pack for longer than 20 minutes.
• C-Compression
  Wrap the affected area in an elastic bandage tightly - but not so tight as to cause compromise of the blood supply to the affected area.
• E-Elevation
  To reduce swelling, elevate the affected area above the level of the heart.

In addition, anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen will also help to reduce the pain and inflammation. These are available over the counter. It is important to take the prescribed dose only as they can cause peptic ulceration. If there is a severe sprain, then a cast may be required.

You should consult your doctor if:

• The pain is severe and you can`t bear weight on it;
• There is numbness in the affected area;
• There is redness spreading out from the injured area;
• You are in doubt about treatment or the seriousness of the injury.

Give your doctor as many details about the as possible. Following an examination of the injured area, your doctor may request an x-ray to differentiate between a fracture and a sprain.

Very rarely, surgery may be needed to relieve pain and restore function. In these cases, an orthopaedic surgeon (a doctor who specialises in bone problems) would perform this.

The time to recovery depends on the nature and severity of the injury. It usually takes two to four weeks for a strain or sprain to heal. However, it may take months to recover if the injury is severe. Extra care should be taken to prevent re-injury.

Slowly start resuming normal activity after the pain and swelling resolve. Physiotherapy is also helpful in restoring flexibility and strength to the affected area. It is important not to resume normal activity until the normal range of movement has returned.