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:
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Rest: Use the joint as little as possible. |
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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. |
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Compression: Wrap the joint in an elastic bandage, elastic wrap, etc., but |
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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.
