How to treat a sprained foot

This post should be titled "how not to treat a sprained foot"... I was cleaning my room when I stubbed my toe on the foot of the bed frame--actually it's the area between the 2nd and 3rd toe of my left foot to be specific--it hurt but the pain was bearable and I just went about my business walking around like nothing happened until 5 hours later when my foot was swollen to 3x its usual size and I couldn't take another step because the pain was so bad.

They say people in the medical profession make terrible patients and I'm no exception... I've treated several cases of sprains (ankle, toe, foot, hand) and I feel I can recite the P.R.I.C.E protocol in my sleep. But with all these knowledge at my disposal, and because I know no bone was broken, I didn't apply first aid on my sprained foot until I absolutely had to and suffered more for it.

So as a service to my readers, I'm posting the P.R.I.C.E. protocol from the Mayo Clinic here so you'd know how to take care of a sprained ankle or whatever and hopefully follow it if something like this happens to you.

1. Protect the injured limb from further injury by not using the joint. You can do this using anything from splints to crutches.

2. Rest the injured limb. But don't avoid all activity. Even with an ankle sprain, you can usually still exercise other muscles to minimize deconditioning. For example, you can use an exercise bicycle with arm exercise handles, working both your arms and the uninjured leg while resting the injured ankle on another part of the bike. That way you still get three-limb exercise to keep up your cardiovascular conditioning.

3. Ice the area. Use a cold pack, a slush bath or a compression sleeve filled with cold water to help limit swelling after an injury. Try to ice the area as soon as possible after the injury and continue to ice it for 10 to 15 minutes four times a day for 48 hours. If you use ice, be careful not to use it too long, as this could cause tissue damage.

4. Compress the area with an elastic wrap or bandage. Compressive wraps or sleeves made from elastic or neoprene are best.

5. Elevate the injured limb above your heart whenever possible to help prevent or limit swelling.

*** This really works... when I woke up today, the swelling has lessened and the pain is almost gone (I took 1 Ibuprofen tablet before going to bed). I'm now able to wiggle my toes and though it's still sore, my injured foot's range of motion is good. I just put on socks because I couldn't find compressive bandages. I'm still hopping around the house on one foot but I feel loads better.


***photo via Aurora Health Care
cross-posted at All Things Medical Blog

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Abu Sayyaf strikes again

poor Basilan

It makes me sick to my stomach that I have to share my country with these murderous Abu Sayyaf bastards. Bombing churches, schools and other public places for their stupid ideology (a separate Islamic province, really?). These thugs are pure evil. I'm normally not a bloodthirsty person but I'm glad one of the bombs exploded prematurely taking out 3 terrorists bombers--a perfect example of being hoisted on your own petard.

from the Inquirer:

ZAMBOANGA CITY—Abu Sayyaf bandits took their campaign of terror to the heart of Basilan on Tuesday, setting off bombs at a Roman Catholic cathedral, school grandstand and three other places, and clashing with government forces in Isabela City.

At least 15 people, including the brother of Abu Sayyaf leader Purudji Indama, were killed in the attacks staged by armed men wearing police and military uniforms, reports said Monday night. “This is definitely the handiwork of terrorists out to sow fear among the people of the province,” Senior Supt. Antonio Mendoza, Basilan police chief, told reporters in Manila.

More here.

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Auschwitz sign stolen

I don't know what these thieves were thinking. Is nothing sacred anymore? Stealing the sign from the entrance of the former death camp where countless victims of Nazi oppression were murdered.

Do they think they could sell such a historic symbol so easily? If this is the work of pranksters--what a way to assuage your boredom, huh? Losers. Either way, this proves that some people are just born stupid.

From Yahoo News:

OSWIECIM, Poland – Thieves stole the notorious sign bearing the cynical Nazi slogan "Work Sets You Free" from the entrance to the former Auschwitz death camp on Friday, cutting through rows of barbed wire and metal bars before making their escape through the snow.

The brazen seizure of one of the Holocaust's most chilling symbols brought worldwide condemnation.

The 16-foot sign bearing the German words "Arbeit Macht Frei" — "Work Sets You Free" — spanned the main entrance to the Auschwitz death camp, where more than 1 million people, mostly Jews, were killed during World War II.

"If they are pranksters, they'd have to be sick pranksters, or someone with a political agenda. But whoever has done it has desecrated world memory," Schudrich said.

He said the theft could have been committed by neo-Nazi extremists, or even people scheming to sell the sign on the black market.

More here.

Update: Polish police retrieved the damaged sign

*** pic courtesy of AP

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Oh Tiger, Tiger, Tiger. Not you too?

Stop being an idiot, Tiger.

Another one bites the dust. So sorry this has happened. I have always admired Tiger Woods' achievements in the golf course--in fact when my sister attended his tounament in Melbourne last month, I pestered her for pictures like nobody's business. He just seemed to have it all together both in his professional and personal life. He looked grounded, kind, family oriented and boy, could he really play golf!

I guess it's just too good to be true then. Apparently he's been having extra-marital affairs for a while now. We are just learning about it because last week in the wee hours of the morning, his wife Elin Nordegren Woods had allegedly went after him with a golf club causing him to have an accident.

This for a cocktail waitress?!

The floozies he's had these affairs with have started blabbing to tabloids. Way to go Tiger! What a way to find out that the adage "Lie down with dogs, wake up with fleas" has truth to it, eh? Your beautiful family in exchange for a cocktail waitress. Is that a fair trade to you? It boggles the mind. He now issues an apology. I hope he really means it, breaking his wife's heart is one thing. Hurting his children by separation or divorce is another.

I hope Tiger Woods is sorry for his transgressions because he realized it was wrong and a sin, not just because he got caught and need to salvage his reputation. Everyone makes mistakes. It's not the first time this has happened to a sports hero ( yohoo, Manny Pacquiao! ) and it won't be the last. I being a huge Tiger Woods fan am hoping he could rise above this idiocy and makes it up to his wife and just play golf again.

UPDATE: Tiger announced that he will be taking an 'indefinite' leave from playing professional golf to work on saving his marriage. I think it's the right call. Family is more important than any sport or the temporary high of tawdry affairs. I hope they make it. Come back soon, Tiger!

UPDATE 2.0 : Tiger Woods returning to golf at Masters.
 Tiger Woods and wife Elin Nordegren rebuilding their marriage.

UPDATE 3.0: Elin gets $100 million divorce settlement. 

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