Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE) - Michigan ...

Topic Overview · Rest. Rest and protect the injured or sore area. · Ice. Cold will reduce pain and swelling. · Compression. Compression, or wrapping the injured or ... Jumptocontent Updatedvisitorguidelines OtherUMHSSites YouarehereHome»Rest,Ice,Compression,andElevation(RICE) Topofthepage Rest,Ice,Compression,andElevation(RICE) TopicOverviewAssoonaspossibleafteraninjury,suchasakneeoranklesprain,youcanrelievepainandswellingandpromotehealingandflexibilitywithRICE—Rest,Ice,Compression,andElevation. Rest.Restandprotecttheinjuredorsorearea.Stop,change,ortakeabreakfromanyactivitythatmaybecausingyourpainorsoreness. Ice.Coldwillreducepainandswelling.Applyaniceorcoldpackrightawaytopreventorminimizeswelling.Applytheiceorcoldpackfor10to20minutes,3ormoretimesaday.After48to72hours,ifswellingisgone,applyheattotheareathathurts.Donotapplyiceorheatdirectlytotheskin.Placeatoweloverthecoldorheatpackbeforeapplyingittotheskin. Compression.Compression,orwrappingtheinjuredorsoreareawithanelasticbandage(suchasanAcewrap),willhelpdecreaseswelling.Don'twrapittootightly,becausethiscancausemoreswellingbelowtheaffectedarea.Loosenthebandageifitgetstootight.Signsthatthebandageistootightincludenumbness,tingling,increasedpain,coolness,orswellingintheareabelowthebandage.Talktoyourdoctorifyouthinkyouneedtouseawrapforlongerthan48to72hours;amoreseriousproblemmaybepresent. Elevation.Elevatetheinjuredorsoreareaonpillowswhileapplyingiceandanytimeyouaresittingorlyingdown.Trytokeeptheareaatorabovethelevelofyourhearttohelpminimizeswelling. Nonsteroidalanti-inflammatorydrugs(NSAIDs) mayalsohelprelieveyourpainandswelling.Theyinclude: Ibuprofen,suchasAdvilorMotrin. Naproxen,suchasAleveorNaprosyn. Besafewithmedicines.Readandfollowallinstructionsonthelabel.Whenyoursorenessandpainaregone,beginstretchingandstrengtheningexercisesslowly,thengraduallyincreasetheseexercises. RelatedInformation Toe,Foot,andAnkleInjuriesShoulderProblemsandInjuriesLegInjuriesArmInjuriesHipProblems,Age12andOlderPatellarTrackingDisorderFinger,Hand,andWristInjuriesElbowInjuriesHipInjuries,Age11andYoungerAnkleSprain Credits Currentasof: November16,2020 Author:HealthwiseStaffMedicalReview:WilliamH.BlahdJr.MD,FACEP-EmergencyMedicineAdamHusneyMD-FamilyMedicineE.GregoryThompsonMD-InternalMedicineKathleenRomitoMD-FamilyMedicineJoanRiggPT,OCS-PhysicalTherapy Topofthepage NextSection: RelatedInformation PreviousSection: TopicOverview Topofthepage NextSection: Credits PreviousSection: RelatedInformation Topofthepage Currentasof:November16,2020 Author: HealthwiseStaff MedicalReview:WilliamH.BlahdJr.MD,FACEP-EmergencyMedicine&AdamHusneyMD-FamilyMedicine&E.GregoryThompsonMD-InternalMedicine&KathleenRomitoMD-FamilyMedicine&JoanRiggPT,OCS-PhysicalTherapy Thisinformationdoesnotreplacetheadviceofadoctor.Healthwise,Incorporated,disclaimsanywarrantyorliabilityforyouruseofthisinformation.YouruseofthisinformationmeansthatyouagreetotheTermsofUse.Learnhowwedevelopourcontent. TolearnmoreaboutHealthwise,visitHealthwise.org. ©1995-2021Healthwise,Incorporated.Healthwise,Healthwiseforeveryhealthdecision,andtheHealthwiselogoaretrademarksofHealthwise,Incorporated. Rest,Ice,Compression,andElevation(RICE) NOTICE:ThishealthinformationwasnotcreatedbytheUniversityofMichiganHealthSystem(UMHS)andmaynotnecessarilyreflectspecificUMHSpractices.Formedicaladvicerelatingtoyourpersonalcondition,pleaseconsultyourdoctor.Completedisclaimer