Red flags & when to go in person for Sprain/Strain in Children

Audience: pediatric

Sprains and strains are common injuries in children, often caused by falls or sudden twists. These injuries affect ligaments and muscles around joints and can usually be managed with rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Telemedicine can help assess mild cases by reviewing symptoms and guiding home care. However, some signs mean your child needs to be seen in person by a healthcare professional. These include severe pain, inability to move or bear weight, visible deformity, or numbness. Early recognition of these red flags ensures timely treatment and prevents complications. This guide helps parents understand when telemedicine is suitable and when urgent in-person care is necessary for their child’s sprain or strain.

Red flags — go in person / ER

• Severe pain that limits movement or does not improve with rest or pain relief — seek urgent in-person care.
• Visible deformity or bone protrusion at the injury site — seek emergency medical attention immediately.
• Numbness, tingling, weakness, or inability to bear weight on the injured limb — get prompt medical evaluation.

What telemedicine can do

• Assessment of mild sprains or strains with mild pain and swelling.
• Guidance on home care measures such as rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
• Monitoring recovery progress and advising when to seek in-person care.

What telemedicine cannot do

• Severe pain or inability to move the injured area.
• Suspected fractures or dislocations with deformity.
• Signs of nerve injury such as numbness or weakness.
• Severe swelling or bruising requiring urgent evaluation.

What is a Sprain or Strain?

A sprain is an injury to the ligaments, which connect bones at a joint. A strain is an injury to muscles or tendons, the tissues that connect muscles to bones. Both can happen from falls, sports, or sudden movements. Symptoms often include pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected area.

When Telemedicine Can Help

Telemedicine can assist in evaluating mild sprains or strains by discussing symptoms, observing movement through video, and advising on home treatments like rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). It can also help monitor recovery and decide if further care is needed.

Red Flags That Need In-Person Care

Certain signs mean your child should see a healthcare provider in person promptly:

If any of these occur, seek urgent medical evaluation.

Preparing for a Telemedicine Visit

Before the tele-visit, have your child’s injury area accessible and comfortable. Gather information about how the injury happened, symptoms, and any treatments tried. Ensure good lighting and a device with video capability to show the injury clearly to the provider.

After the Telemedicine Visit

Follow the healthcare provider’s advice carefully. This may include home care steps, medications, or instructions to watch for worsening symptoms. If advised, schedule an in-person visit or emergency care. Keep track of your child’s progress and ask for help if symptoms change.

How to prepare for your tele-visit

• Ensure the injured area is exposed and accessible for viewing.
• Have a stable internet connection and a device with video capability.
• Prepare to describe how and when the injury occurred.
• Gather any previous medical records or treatments related to the injury.
• Have pain relief medications on hand if already given.
• Ensure good lighting to clearly show the injury during the video call.

After your tele-visit

• Follow the healthcare provider’s instructions on home care and medications.
• Monitor your child’s symptoms and note any changes.
• Use ice, rest, compression, and elevation as advised.
• Schedule an in-person visit if symptoms worsen or red flags appear.
• Keep the injured area protected and avoid activities that may worsen the injury.
• Contact healthcare if new symptoms like numbness or severe pain develop.

FAQs

Can all sprains and strains be treated through telemedicine?

Not all sprains and strains can be managed remotely. Mild injuries with manageable pain and no deformity can often be assessed via telemedicine. However, severe injuries, suspected fractures, or nerve involvement require in-person evaluation.

How soon should I seek emergency care for my child's injury?

Seek emergency care immediately if your child has severe pain, visible deformity, inability to move the limb, or numbness. These signs may indicate a serious injury needing urgent treatment.

What home treatments can I do for my child's sprain or strain?

Common home treatments include rest, applying ice packs for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours, compression with an elastic bandage, and elevating the injured limb above heart level to reduce swelling. Always follow your healthcare provider’s advice.

When can my child return to normal activities after a sprain or strain?

Return to activities depends on the injury severity and healing progress. Mild injuries may improve in days to weeks, while more severe ones take longer. Your healthcare provider can guide when it is safe to resume activities to avoid re-injury.

Sources

1. Sprains and Strains — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. Sprains and Strains in Children — American Academy of Pediatrics.
3. Muscle Strain and Ligament Sprain — Mayo Clinic.
4. Sprains and Strains — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This telemedicine guidance is for educational and triage purposes only and is not a substitute for in-person medical care. If your child shows any red flags or if you are concerned about their condition, seek prompt medical evaluation in person.