Question
The patient has a fractured ankle with a minor crack and a slight tingling pain, approximately 8 hours since the fracture. 30 minutes ago, they applied some pain-relieving medication. Currently, they are lying on their left side on the bed at home with a relatively hard pillow placed at the knee area. What should they do now?
Answer
Fractures typically result in damage to the periosteum, as this area is rich in nerves and blood vessels, leading to significant pain after a fracture. For patients with early fractures, if the pain is severe, appropriate use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can help alleviate the pain. For pain that occurs later in the fracture process, it is mainly due to adhesion and contraction of surrounding soft tissues, as well as significant blood swelling and exacerbation at the fracture site. Heat application to the fracture site can promote regional blood circulation, facilitate the absorption of ecchymosis, and soften adhesion tissues. Additionally, appropriate application of external and oral medicine for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis can help reduce pain at the fracture site.