RICE for Routine Care of Injuries
The routine care of many injuries includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). The RICE strategy is often recommended for injuries to soft tissues, such as a muscle strain, ligament injuries, bruises, and overuse injuries. It can also be used for some bony injuries. Using the RICE strategy can help relieve pain, reduce swelling, and enable your body to heal.
Rest
Rest is required to allow your body to heal. This usually involves reducing your normal activities and avoiding use of the injured part of your body. Generally, you can return to your normal activities when you are comfortable and have been given permission by your health care provider.
Ice
Icing your injury helps to keep the swelling down, and it reduces pain. Do not apply ice directly to your skin.
• Put ice in a plastic bag.
• Place a towel between your …show more content…
Elevation
Elevation means keeping the injured area raised. This helps reduce swelling and decrease pain. If possible, your injured area should be elevated at or above the level of your heart or the center of your chest.
WHEN SHOULD I SEEK MEDICAL CARE?
You should seek medical care if:
• You have continuing pain and swelling.
• Your symptoms are getting worse rather than improving.
These symptoms may indicate that further evaluation or further X-rays are needed. Sometimes, X-rays may not show a small broken bone (fracture) until a number of days later. Make a follow-up appointment with your health care provider.
WHEN SHOULD I SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE?
You should seek immediate medical care if:
• You have a sudden onset of severe pain at or below the area of your injury.
• You develop redness or increased swelling around your injury.
• You have tingling or numbness at or below the area of your injury that does not improve after you remove the elastic
The routine care of many injuries includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). The RICE strategy is often recommended for injuries to soft tissues, such as a muscle strain, ligament injuries, bruises, and overuse injuries. It can also be used for some bony injuries. Using the RICE strategy can help relieve pain, reduce swelling, and enable your body to heal.
Rest
Rest is required to allow your body to heal. This usually involves reducing your normal activities and avoiding use of the injured part of your body. Generally, you can return to your normal activities when you are comfortable and have been given permission by your health care provider.
Ice
Icing your injury helps to keep the swelling down, and it reduces pain. Do not apply ice directly to your skin.
• Put ice in a plastic bag.
• Place a towel between your …show more content…
Elevation
Elevation means keeping the injured area raised. This helps reduce swelling and decrease pain. If possible, your injured area should be elevated at or above the level of your heart or the center of your chest.
WHEN SHOULD I SEEK MEDICAL CARE?
You should seek medical care if:
• You have continuing pain and swelling.
• Your symptoms are getting worse rather than improving.
These symptoms may indicate that further evaluation or further X-rays are needed. Sometimes, X-rays may not show a small broken bone (fracture) until a number of days later. Make a follow-up appointment with your health care provider.
WHEN SHOULD I SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE?
You should seek immediate medical care if:
• You have a sudden onset of severe pain at or below the area of your injury.
• You develop redness or increased swelling around your injury.
• You have tingling or numbness at or below the area of your injury that does not improve after you remove the elastic