Joint Injury Tip

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Joint Injury Tip

When a joint is injured in the wilderness or anywhere else, use the concept of “RICE” to speed healing and ease discomfort. The concept of “RICE” is as follows:

o

Rest: Use the joint as little as possible.

o

Ice: Apply the coldest thing available to the joint (i.e. cold water, ice, snow, etc.). Make sure you don’t freeze the skin in the process.

o

Compression: Wrap the joint in an elastic bandage, elastic wrap, etc., but
not too tightly.

o

Elevation: Keep the joint elevated above the heart.

Apply “RICE” for 20 to 30 minutes at a time, three to four times a day until the pain in the joint subsides.