Minor Acute Injuries Treatment Specialist in Honolulu, HI

All injuries are painful, and minor injuries are no exception. However, they are not life threatening, nor have any effect on long term survival.

Whether it’s twisting an ankle, accidentally cutting your finger, or if you burned your hand on a hot surface, minor injuries are very common, and often leave people unsure if they should seek medical care, or if home care will be sufficient.

While the list examples of minor injuries are lengthy, the four types of injuries that are classified as minor include:

– Burns – no larger than 3 inches in diameter and only superficial redness.
– Fractures – partial bone fracture, known as an incomplete fracture.
– Sprains or strains – muscle, ligament or tendon is stretched, but not torn.
– Shallow abrasions, lacerations or cuts with clean edges and minimal bleeding.

Some injuries can be treated at home, provided a stocked first-aid kit is on hand, however, when in doubt as to whether you should seek medical attention, book an appointment with a doctor.

Minor injuries like strains and sprains are very common, especially among young athletes who spend a lot of time practicing and training, and at school during physical education. While the majority of injuries are commonly not serious, if left untreated they can lead to more complicated injuries.

One of the biggest mistakes young athletes make is not allowing an injury to fully heal before getting back in the game, which puts them at risk of further injury that could potentially ruin a sports career.

In many situations, the use of medications after a minor sports injury is not recommended, as they can slow down the healing process. 

When a minor soft tissue injury occurs, creating moderate pain, limited motion, minimal swelling, or the development of any other mild symptoms, the common treatment is known as the R.I.C.E method:

– Rest: Stop whatever activity caused the injury. Following any treatment, the injured limb or body part needs rest in order to heal properly. However, movement is important too.

– Ice: use briefly (10 min) to reduce pain and inflammation.

– Compression: Light compression around the injured area allows for some swelling, but can also reduce inflammation.

– Elevation: Holding the limb or the affected area above the heart for a period of time helps to reduce inflammation and to drain any excess fluid from the site of the injury

More recently, a “P” has been added to the list, making the acronym P.R.I.C.E. The “P” stands for Protection, which means to keep the area protected from further injury.

It is also suggested, as the healing process progresses, to gradually add weight to the injured area to promote tolerance and strength building, which also helps with speeding up the healing process.

As the saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” and this absolutely applies when it comes to preventing minor injuries.

Whether the activity is taking part in sports, or cooking on the BBQ in the backyard, minor injuries are very common. Many are also avoidable if the right precautions and preventive measures are taken.

Preventing a minor injury can be as simple as wearing protective equipment like gloves or goggles, condition muscles and increase flexibility before the activity by stretching and take a rest period to avoid overheating or prevent illness related to the heart. And most importantly, stop the activity if pain or injury occur.

For the treatment of minor injuries, especially if they occur outside of your primary care provider’s regular hours, our team of medical professionals at Island Medical and Beauty Clinic are fully equipped and trained to treat all minor injuries. We can treat patients on the same day, or by appointment. Call our clinic, or visit our website for more information or directions, or to book your appointment. We are conveniently located at 3470 Waialae Ave Ste 6, Honolulu, HI 96816. We serve patients from Honolulu HI, Aiea HI, Halawa HI, Pearl City HI, and Village Park HI.