Whether you suffer an injury playing a recreational sport or working on a job, the initial shock of getting hurt is never enjoyable. A rush of emotions runs through your head, not the least of which being the cost of the injury in terms of dollars and lost work or social productivity that is associated with recovery time. Unlike defense in football, the best defense to an injury is prevention. Accordingly, the New York injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum are here to provide you with five quick tips to help get you on the road to recovery immediately after suffering an injury. The tips are known as the P.R.I.C.E injury protocol, and following steps comprise a tried and true method to avoid aggravation.
1) Protection. The purpose of protection is to prevent further injury to the affected area by protecting the injured bones, ligaments, or any other injured body part. Immediately apply a brace or splint to the injured area, and ensure that the body part remains protected throughout the healing process (of course at the advice of your physician).
2) Rest. There is no substitute for rest when recovering from an injury. All too often people attempt to come back too quickly from an injury, whether to the playing field or to work. Neither is a good idea, as inadequate rest of injured body parts can lead to exacerbation of the injury. Always take an adequate amount of time to allow the injury to heal, and always heed the advice of your medical professional before taking on more strenuous activity.
3) Ice. Ice helps reduce swelling and inflammation and should be used immediately following the injury. Ice packs can be secured with bandages, and crushed ice should be used to treat injuries while awaiting treatment by a physician or medical professional. If skin or the affected area becomes overly red or sensitive to the treatment, make sure to remove the ice pack and allow the area to maintain adequate circulation.
4) Compression. Compression wraps should be used as soon as ice treatment is complete. Elastic bandages provide stability and compression for injured ankles, quadriceps, hamstrings, or other areas and serve as a barrier to the swelling in the affected area.
5) Elevation. Elevation reduces excess blood flow to the affected area, and can help reduce swelling. If the injury is to a leg or lower body part, place the leg up on a pillow while lying down to minimize the effect that swelling will have.
When you are injured make sure to immediately notify your doctor for his or her advice on treating the injury. The aforementioned protocol is only for emergency treatment of a just-suffered injury, and should never replace the advice of a trained medical professional.
Contact a New York Injury Attorney Today
If you suspect that the injury you suffered was due to someone else’s negligence, do not hesitate to contact New York injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum today for a free consultation. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Our skilled team of attorneys will carefully evaluate your case and help you decide the proper course of action.
