After an injury is determined non-emergent, there are some important steps to take to ensure recovery to pre-injury state:
- Rest - To eliminate immediate pain - Cryotherapy (ice, cold tubs, cold wraps, cold compression units, etc.)
- Decrease inflammation - Compression (elastic wrap, compression sleeve, etc.)
- Decrease inflammation - Elevation (In a non-gravity dependent position)
- Treatment - Rehabilitation - Return to sport activities
- Return to competition - After pain is decreased and swelling is minimal to trace, movement in a pain-free range may assist in re-gaining motion and allowing new blood flow to occur to warm area and assist in moving any residual inflammation present in the joint.
This time of injury recovery is when the introduction of motion, balance, and strength could be introduced through the pain free range. If injury becomes chronic and progress seems to stop and pain remains, it would be best to follow up with a physician for further evaluation.
