A sprain is one of the most common types of injuries, often affecting the stability of joints such as in the hand, wrist, elbow, or shoulder. When sprains are too severe to heal on their own, surgical treatment may be necessary.
Dr. Edward Diao offers surgical treatment options to patients with sprains.
If you’re interested in this type of treatment, please contact Dr. Edward Diao
in Union Square, San Francisco, California, today to schedule a consultation.
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Sprain Q & A
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What is a sprain?
Every joint includes ligaments, which are bands of tough, fibrous tissue that connect the bones in the joint together. A sprain is an injury that occurs when one or more of these ligaments are stretched or torn. When the injury happens, you may also hear a popping sound or feel a pop within your joint. Although the most common location of a sprain is your ankle, sprains can affect any joint. Some of the symptoms of a sprain include:
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Pain
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Bruising
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Swelling
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Decreased range of motion
What causes a sprain?
Sprains usually happen when you stress one of your joints significantly, overextending or tearing a ligament. For example, sprains in the wrist often occur when you use your hands to catch yourself in a fall. You may sprain your ankle when walking or exercising on an uneven surface, and you may sprain your knee while pivoting during exercise or sports. After one sprain, you may be at a higher risk of future sprains in the same joint.
What surgical treatments are available for sprains?
In selective severe cases, Dr. Diao may recommend surgery for sprains in which the joint is rendered unstable. This is generally done with open procedures although more recently, arthroscopic procedures have been developed for these small joints. In arthroscopic surgery, he will use a small camera to look inside the joints. He’ll also insert small instruments that he’ll use to remove loose fragments and make repairs.
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In other cases, Dr. Diao may recommend a more invasive procedure to repair the joint. For example, he may need to reconstruct the damaged ligament by replacing it with a tissue graft from another part of the body.
When do sprains require surgery?
In most cases, sprains will heal on their own with conservative treatments, such as applying ice and resting the affected joint. However, in cases where the damage to the joint is severe, you may need surgery. The damage to your joint may be bad enough to require surgery if your joint is very painful and swollen or if you aren’t able to use the joint at all.
Surgery isn’t right for everyone with a sprain. If you have a sprain and you think you may need surgery, Dr. Diao will perform a thorough examination and help you decide if surgery is the best option for you.
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