A sprain happens when a ligament stretches or tears. Ligaments are stretchy bands that connect bones to each other. A sprain can take a few days, weeks, or longer to feel better. Follow these instructions to help your child as the sprain heals.

• For 2–3 days, to help with pain and swelling:
  • Have your child rest the sprained area.
  • While your child is awake, place a bag of ice wrapped in a towel on the sprain for 15–20 minutes, 3–4 times a day. Do not put ice directly on the skin.
  • If the sprain is on an arm, leg, hand, or foot, wrap the injured area loosely in an elastic bandage. Do not wrap the sprain if it is on the head, neck, or torso (chest or belly).
  • Keep the sprained area above heart level by resting it on a pillow.
• You can give medicine for pain if your health care provider says it's OK. Use one of these medicines exactly as directed:
  • acetaminophen (such as Tylenol^® or a store brand)
    OR
  • ibuprofen (such as Advil^®, Motrin^®, or a store brand). Do not give ibuprofen to babies under 6 months old.
• If the health care provider gave your child a splint, sling, brace, or crutches, use them as directed.
• Check with the health care provider about when it's OK for your child to use the injured part of the body.
• Have your child do any recommended exercises as instructed.

• The swelling gets worse.
• The pain gets worse.
• Pain medicine doesn't help your child.
• Your child's pain does not get better after 2 weeks.
• The sprained area is numb (has less feeling than usual) or the skin looks pale.

How do health care providers diagnose sprains? Health care providers ask questions and examine the injury. X-rays are sometimes needed to make sure there is no broken bone.

How can sprains be prevented? If your child plays sports, wearing proper safety gear and shoes that fit well can help prevent some sprains.