Sprain and Muscle Strain Treatment

Sprain & Muscle Strain Treatment in Connecticut & New York

If you’re experiencing the symptoms of a sprain or a muscle strain, you can rely on the professionals at Yale New Haven Health Urgent Care for treatment. We’re a physician-founded practice that’s been in business since 2008, and we treat a wide range of minor injuries—including sprains and muscle strains—at our urgent care centers throughout Connecticut and New York.

You can feel confident choosing Yale New Haven Health Urgent Care for sprain treatment and muscle strain treatment because our skilled providers have all received training in either emergency, family, or internal medicine, and because we’re in-network with most major health insurance plans and offer affordable self-pay rates. Plus, if we need imaging to rule out a fracture, a dislocation, or another type of sports injury, you’ll be glad to know that we can perform on-site X-rays at many of our locations (please call ahead for same-day X-ray availability).

What’s the Difference Between Sprains & Strains?

Although the terms “sprain” and “strain” are often used interchangeably, they actually refer to two different injuries. A sprain occurs when a ligament (which connects two bones in a joint) overstretches or tears, often producing a popping sound or sensation at the time of the injury. This can cause pain, bruising, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected area. Any joint can be sprained, but this injury most commonly affects the ankles.

A muscle strain (sometimes referred to as a “pulled muscle”) occurs when a muscle or tendon (which connects a muscle to a bone) overstretches or tears. Like sprains, muscle strains can produce pain, bruising, swelling, and limited range of motion. But muscle strains are more likely to cause muscle weakness, cramping, and spasms. While muscle strains can occur anywhere in the body, the areas most commonly affected include the lower back and the hamstrings.

What Does Sprain & Muscle Strain Treatment Involve?

Sprains and muscle strains can often be treated conservatively (without the need for surgery) using pain medication and the R.I.C.E. method, which stands for:

• Rest – Although you shouldn’t abstain from all physical activity, you should avoid any activities that cause pain or swelling in the injured area.
• Ice – For the first few days after spraining a joint or straining a muscle or tendon, you should apply an ice pack for 15 to 20 minutes every two to three waking hours
• Compression – Wrapping the injured area with an elastic bandage can help prevent swelling. But because too-tight compression can prevent your blood from properly circulating, be sure to loosen the bandage if you experience numbness, swelling, or increased pain.
• Elevation – Raising the injured area above the level of your heart can help reduce swelling, so try propping yourself up on pillows, cushions, or blankets.

Especially severe sprains and muscle strains may require physical therapy or surgery to repair the affected tissue. An experienced medical provider—like the ones at Yale New Haven Health Urgent Care—can recommend the treatment approach that’s best suited to your specific needs.

Quality Care Delivered With Ease & Speed

If you think you might have sprained a joint or strained a muscle or tendon, turn to Yale New Haven Health Urgent Care. Our urgent care centers in Connecticut and New York are open 365 days per year with extended hours, and you can choose whether to walk in or reserve your spot in line using our online booking system.

But what if it’s outside our normal business hours, you can’t find transportation, or you simply don’t feel up to leaving the house? In that case, you can speak to a local provider remotely through our 24/7 integrated telehealth service. If we determine that you need in-person diagnostic testing or treatment, we’ll arrange for you to visit one of our nearby urgent care centers as soon as possible.