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While much of the country is encased in ice and snow, February and March are when Arizona residents come out to play. Arizona is famous for our hiking trails, and hiking options abound all throughout the state. And of course, along with any physical activity comes the danger of injury. Hikers in particular are prone to strains and sprains, along with the occasional break, especially early in the hiking season.

If you’re out hiking and accidentally tweak or injure something on your body, how do you know what the issue is and what your course of action should be?

Sprains

A sprain is an injury to a ligament, which is the tough tissue that connects your bones to each other. Sprains happen when a ligament is stretched beyond its usual range, causing the ligament to tear. Sprains often occur due to bending or twisting motions, falls, or sudden impacts. Some clues to tell you that you have a sprain include swelling, bruising, pain, and difficulty moving the impacted joint.

Medical treatment for a sprain should be sought right away if you can’t put weight or pressure on the injured area, if you’re unable to move the area, if you hear a cracking or popping when you move the affected part of the body, if you’ve injured that area before, or if you’re an athlete and can’t afford a misdiagnosis.  

Strains

A strain, on the other hand, is an injury to a tendon or muscle, often occurring from sudden force, overuse, or when the area is stretched beyond its usual range. When a strain occurs, small tears form in the muscle fibers. Those with a strain experience stiffness, swelling, pain, and muscle weakness.

If your strain is on the mild side, you can possibly treat it effectively using the RICE method (Rest, ice, compression or wrapping, and elevation). However, if your pain lasts more than a week, or if you have any bleeding or numbness, you should go to an urgent care center right away.

Breaks

And then there’s the dreaded break; the most serious of the injuries we’re discussing here. Telltale symptoms of a broken bone include significant pain, a possible popping or snapping sound at the moment of injury, limited movement in the area, possible deformity with the bone, swelling, and bruising.

If you suspect a break or fracture, then medical attention at an emergency room is needed right away. Until emergency treatment can be received, do your best to immobilize the part of the body affected, apply ice packs to the injured area (but avoid placing ice directly on skin), and work to gently stop any bleeding.

Note that early in the hiking season, such as in these early spring months, every hiker should take it easy their first few times out. Muscles that have been more dormant and not used to the impact and movements of hiking can get injured more easily. 

Our medical team is ready to help with any Arizona hiking injuries. Our emergency room in Fountain Hills and urgent care center in Fountain Hills will treat and diagnose any strain, sprain, or fracture, and then advise you on your best course of action.

Not sure whether your hiking injury is serious enough for medical attention? Let us make that call. One of these injuries, if left untreated, can lead to permanent damage to the body.

We hope to see you on some Fountain Hills hiking trails this spring, as we’re big fans of outdoor activity ourselves. And if you happen to injure yourself along the way, we look forward to helping you at our medical center.  We’ll get you diagnosed, treated, and back on the trails as soon as possible. Happy spring and happy hiking, Fountain Hills!

Sources:

• carenow.com
• mayoclinic.org
• rosemedicalgroups.org
• ukhealthcare.uky.edu