Skip to main content

Sports medicine

At Unity Health, our sports medicine services are for anyone who wants to keep moving through exercise, competition and recreation—whether that's in the gym, on a golf course or a favorite hiking trail.

Mild strains and sprains? Try the R.I.C.E. method.
If you have a mild strain or sprain, try R.I.C.E. Show me how.

Reviewed 10/6/2022

Treating sports injuries. Mild strains and sprains can benefit from initial treatment at home using the R.I.C.E. method.

Using the R.I.C.E. method is a good first treatment for mild sprains or strains. The benefits include pain relief, reduced inflammation and faster healing.

Start R.I.C.E. right after a mild sprain or strain. Continue for at least 48 hours.

Keep scrolling to learn how to use R.I.C.E.

REST

  • Reduce your activity as needed.
  • Use crutches if you need to.

ICE

  • Put ice on right away to keep the swelling down.
  • Use ice for 20 minutes at a time, 4 to 8 times a day.
  • You can use a cold pack, an ice bag, or a plastic bag filled with crushed ice and wrapped in a towel.

COMPRESSION

  • Compress the injured area to keep the swelling down and support the injured area.
  • You can use elastic wraps, air casts, splints or special boots.

    • ELEVATION

    • Keep the injured area elevated on a pillow above the level of your heart, if possible. This will help reduce swelling.

    GET HELP IF:

    • The injury causes severe pain, swelling or numbness.
    • You can't put any weight on the injured area.
    • The pain or ache of an old injury is accompanied by increased swelling or joint abnormality or instability.
    • Pain or other symptoms worsen after using R.I.C.E.

    NEED CRUTCHES AFTER AN INJURY? FIND OUT HOW TO USE THEM SAFELY.

    GET SAFETY TIPS

    Sources: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

    Sources

    If you've had an injury, or would like our help avoiding one, our sport medicine experts can help you maintain your active lifestyle. We treat high school sports injuries as well as painful disorders that limit active adults.

    We treat all kinds of sports injuries

    We offer care for sports injuries at the Unity Health – Orthopaedic and Spine Center in Searcy. Our highly qualified team treats many acute (sudden) or chronic (long-term) injuries.

    Here are some of the common sports injuries we treat:

    • Ankle sprains
    • Muscle strains
    • Knee and shoulder injuries
    • Broken bones and dislocations
    • Overuse injuries such as rotator cuff tears, tennis elbow, runner's knee and stress fractures
    • Concussion
    • Achilles tendon injuries

    Our sports medicine treatments

    If you've had an injury our knowledgeable experts will help you safely return to your activities as quickly as possible.

    Other treatments may include physical therapy to help rehabilitate an injury.

    But if surgery is necessary to treat your sports injury, our orthopaedic surgeons offer specialized procedures right here in Searcy. This means you don't have to travel far to get a full spectrum of sports injury and orthopaedic care.