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In all cases of musculoskeletal injury, ‘early intervention’, (ie: examination, education, treatment and management) will significantly accelerate recovery and rehabilitation and reduce expenses for you.
The R.I.C.E(R) regime is the appropriate immediate response.
R - rest
I - ice
C - compression
E - elevation
R - reassess / refer after 48 hours as the injury’s severity dictates
Immediately after injury, place an icepack on the area for 10 minutes, then remove it for 10 minutes and reapply it for a further 10 minutes. This process should be repeated every two hours for the first 48 hours. A compression bandage should be used to reduce swelling. Elevation helps your circulatory system remove excess swelling. Having your limb down while sitting or standing causes the swelling to increase in the injured area.
If after 48 hours the injury has not improved by at least 50%, contact your nearest Physio Direct clinic.
If pain is severe and debilitating, you should contact your doctor as you may require pain relief medication or further medical investigation of your injuries
Importnant Safety Notice
The articles on this web site are provided for general information only and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or treatment. All exercises and advice featured on this web site should only be practised under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.