From the Guidelines
A muscle sprain in a 7-year-old typically heals within 1-3 weeks, depending on the severity, and heat should not be used initially, but can be beneficial after the first 48-72 hours, as per the most recent guidelines from the American Heart Association and American Red Cross 1. The healing time for a muscle sprain in a child can vary depending on the severity of the injury.
- The most recent guidelines recommend the use of cold therapy, such as an ice and water mixture, to decrease pain and swelling in the acute phase of the injury 1.
- The RICE protocol, which includes Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation, is still widely recommended for the initial management of muscle sprains in children 1.
- Children's acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) can be used for pain management, with dosages of 10-15 mg/kg every 4-6 hours for acetaminophen and 5-10 mg/kg every 6-8 hours for ibuprofen, as needed 1.
- After the initial inflammation period has passed, gentle heat application can help increase blood flow and promote healing, but the evidence for this is not as strong as for cold therapy in the acute phase 1.
- It is essential to gradually reintroduce normal activities as pain allows and avoid activities that cause pain, and to consult a healthcare provider if the sprain seems severe, doesn't improve within a week, or if the child cannot bear weight on the affected limb. The use of cold therapy, such as an ice and water mixture, is recommended for the initial management of muscle sprains in children, with applications limited to 20-30 minutes, 3-4 times daily, to avoid cold injury 1.
From the Research
Healing Time for Muscle Sprain in a 7-Year-Old
- The healing time for a muscle sprain in a 7-year-old is not explicitly stated in the provided studies, but generally, the long-term outcome after muscle strain injury is usually excellent, and complications are few 2.
- The initial treatment for muscle strain consists of rest, ice, compression, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy, and as pain and swelling subside, physical therapy should be initiated to restore flexibility and strength 2.
Use of Heat for Muscle Sprain
- The application of heat is not indicated in the immediate treatment of acute athletic injuries, and if applied early and injudiciously, heat may adversely affect resolution of the trauma and prolong the rehabilitation of the athlete 3.
- Cold therapy is often used in soft tissue sports injuries, and it reduces local muscular blood-flow, metabolic rate, and pain, but its effect on muscle regeneration is uncertain 4, 5.
- Heat therapy may be used after the initial treatment to promote healing, as it increases blood flow, metabolism, and elasticity of connective tissues, but there is limited evidence to support its use 5.