THE FIRST 24 HOURS

How to deal with the first 24 hours after an injury

Feeling more like a week, the first 24 hours after an injury is definitely the hardest part of the journey. The realisation that a split second event will now keep you sidelined and cause you a lot of pain for weeks, months and in some cases years to come.

But how can you make the first 24 hours go a little smoother? I'm here to tell you just how. I've been through it. A full ACL rupture and 2 meniscus tears, multiple ankle sprains and a few minor soft tissue and muscle injuries have kept me away from sport and changed my life in more ways than one.

I'm not here to tell you my story, but rather provide you with inside, first hand experience and knowledge of how I am able to keep pushing on despite the set backs. Maybe this is your first major injury or even a minor sprain. However big or small the injury, deal with it in the right way.

Acceptance

We don't have the luxury of knowing a mad scientist that can let us hop in his kitted out DeLorean and head back to the future, so stop wishing your Marty McFly and accept that the injury has happened. If unsure what you've done, go seek medical advice for clarity on what you've injured if you don't already k

now. The sooner you accept that you've got an injury, you won't stress yourself out wishing it had happened. Yes it sound harsh, but nobody is going to change the past, just look forward.

Mobility

Keep it moving. This is very much dependent on what you've injured, so some injuries require rest, but seeking that medical advice will provide the best course of recovery for that particular injury. Let's use the knee for example. Picking up a knee injury will likely cause some swelling, pain and stiffness in the first 24 hours. Keeping the flow of blood to the area is crucial for the recovery. You probably won't be able to weight-bare, but don't worry. Just very small amounts of flexion and extension will be enough to at least get you a bit more range of movement, which in turn will mean you are back on your feet and on the road to recovery much sooner.

Rest

Rest up. I know I said keep it moving, but I mean don't try to return to sport or do unnecessary activities that may either make the injury worse and ultimately effect your recovery. The area that has been injured is weak so don't try and make it do things it isn't strong enough to do just yet. Take your time, and you'll make a full recovery quicker and prevent further injury later on for it, than someone who rushes to get fit again.

The first 24 hours is tough, but once that 24 hours is up, that’s one day closer to a full recovery. Take each day as it comes and you will be better for it.

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For help with returning to sport or dealing with an injury, don't hesitate to get in touch.

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