Meiðslan

Meiðslan is the Icelandic term for “the injury,” referring to physical damage to the body caused by external force. It is used in medical, sports, and everyday language to describe harm ranging from minor to more serious injuries. The concept covers injuries to soft tissues—such as muscles, ligaments, and tendons—as well as contusions and other tissue damage; when bones are affected, more specific terms may be used, but meiðslan can still be applied in context to an injury that results from trauma.

In practice, meiðslan is commonly encountered in sports journalism and clinical notes. First aid and general medical guidance for a meiðslan typically emphasize immediate assessment, rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) to limit swelling and pain, followed by appropriate rehabilitation or professional evaluation. The prognosis varies with the injury's type and severity, but many soft-tissue injuries heal with conservative treatment over days to weeks, while fractures or ligament tears may require longer recovery or surgical intervention.

Related terms include meiðslur (plural form) and the broader concept of trauma. The word is part of Icelandic medical vocabulary and is taught in health education as a key concept for recognizing and responding to bodily injuries.