Initial management to acute injury responds well to the P.R.I.C.E. principle. Tissue injury usually causes damage and bleeding within the tissues and blood vessels – the signs of which are pain, inflammation, swelling, redness, heat, decreased range of movement at the associated joint, and decreased function.
The P.R.I.C.E. management protocol is below.
PROTECTION
Protect the injured structure from further injury/trauma. This may mean the use of crutches and rest/avoidance of aggrevating factors.
REST
Allows the healing process to continue, unhindered by stress on the injured area or increasing energy demands that may divert blood supply away from damaged tissues.
ICE
Causes vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels) therefore decreasing the accumulation of unnecessary blood supply to the area. This limits the bleed and helps prevent any increase in the swelling around the effected tissues and so decreases the chance of accumulating any unnecessary scar tissue. Ice should not be applied directly to the skin and should be done for no more than 10-12 minutes every 60-90 minutes.
COMPRESSION
Produces a counter pressure to help decrease swelling. Should not be too tight! Do not allow for any numbness, pins and needles or drastic discoloration to occur. Usually a tubigrip bandage measured to the correct size is sufficient.
ELEVATION
Decreases local blood pressure and blood supply to the injured area, therefore decreasing swelling. Also ther is an increase in drainage of fluid via the lymphatic system.
REMEMBER – Do No H.A.R.M.
AVOID
Heat
Alcohol
Running
Massage