What to do if your child's foot is sprained and swollen

Children are usually more active, jumping around every day, so they may accidentally sprain their feet. A sprained foot not only causes pain to children, but also affects their normal life. Parents are also anxious. Many parents don’t know what to do if their children’s feet are sprained and swollen, and they are very anxious. So what should you do if your child’s foot is sprained and swollen? Let’s take a look at it next.

1. What should I do if my child’s foot is sprained and swollen?

The principles of early treatment of injuries are immobilization, hemostasis, swelling prevention, and analgesia. First, apply a cold compress and apply ice to the affected area. After applying cold compress, apply pressure bandage and elevate the limb. This method has the effects of stopping bleeding, relieving pain and preventing swelling. Massage and physical therapy are not suitable in the early stages. Avoid repeating the injury-causing action within three days after injury, and perform functional exercises after three days. After a week, you can gradually resume exercise.

2. Precautions for sprained and swollen feet

1. Distinguish the severity of the injury

If you can stand with weight and walk with difficulty after spraining your foot, it means the sprain is mild and you can handle it yourself; if you feel severe pain when moving your ankle, cannot stand with weight or move, and the painful area is on the bone and it gradually becomes swollen, it means you may have sprained the bone and you should go to the hospital immediately for X-ray diagnosis and treatment.

2. Use hot and cold compresses correctly

In the early stages of a sprain, small ruptured blood vessels are bleeding. At this time, cold compresses can be used to cause the blood vessels to contract and clot, thereby controlling the progression of the injury. After 24 hours, the bleeding from the ruptured blood vessels stops. At this time, hot compress can be used to promote the dissipation of blood stasis around the sprain.

3. Correctly massage the sprained area

In the early stage of sprain, it is better to apply continuous pressure on the hematoma; after 24 hours, kneading should be performed, taking the swollen area as the center and rubbing in all directions around it.

4. Carry out appropriate activities

In the early stages of sprain, swelling and pain gradually increase. You should stop activity and elevate the affected limb. After the condition stabilizes, you can gradually increase the activities of the foot and ankle as long as it is not very painful.

5. Rational use of drugs

In the early stages of sprain, there is no need to take any oral medication, and it is not advisable to apply any blood-activating medication externally to avoid more bleeding and greater swelling. If necessary, spray some "Get Well Fast" on the injured area, which will make you feel more comfortable. After 24 hours, take some Yunnan Baiyao, Dieda Pills, and Huoxue Zhitong Powder internally, and apply Wuhudan externally. After the swelling subsides, you don't need to take any internal or external medicines.

3. If you sprain a bone and the doctor puts a plaster on it, you must pay attention to the following:

1. Do not move the affected foot casually within 10 to 20 minutes after applying the plaster. Because the plaster has not yet hardened and is easy to deform.

2. Within the first 24 hours after applying the plaster, pay attention to the tightness of the plaster.

3. After the foot is in plaster, it is generally not advisable to walk on the ground.

4. When applying plaster in summer, the foot should be placed in a cool place to prevent excessive foot sweat from accumulating in the plaster.

5. When putting on a plaster in winter, make sure to keep the affected limb warm and prevent frostbite on the end of the foot outside the plaster.

6. If the pain worsens after applying the plaster, please consult a doctor immediately.