Evaluation of Athletic Injuries

1. Evaluation of Athletic Injuries

2. Check Life-threatening Situations History of the Injury History of the Individual Observation Palpation Structural Tests Functional Activities Tests Assessment and Plan Re-Evaluate Record the Result Evaluation of Athletic Injuries

3. Check Life-Threatening Situations • Check ABCH’s • Consciousness • Cervical Spine-Check • Heat Stroke • Traumatic Shock

4. History of Injury • Where does it hurt? • How did it happen? • Area hit and direction of blow? • When did it occur? recent, acute, chronic • Position of the body part before and after? • Feel a tear, snap, or hear a pop? • Did the pain happen immediately or gradually? • Did the swelling happen immediately or gradually?

5. History of the Individual • Have you had this injury before? If so, what was done? • What is their current level of training? • Check any equipment that may have caused the injury.

6. Observation • Always compare opposite sides of the body. Injured vs. non-injured • Position of the body. • Look for: • Swelling • Deformity • Redness/Discoloration • Skin coloration • Muscle spasm • Limping • Loss of function • Eye movement, facial expression

7. Palpation • Tell the athlete it will hurt and why. • Begin with the non-injured limb. • Start away from the suspected injury site and gradually work toward it. • Begin gently and increase pressure. • Look for facial expressions. • Is the pain sharp or dull, general or localized.

8. Palpation continued • Is there point tenderness (pain in one area)? • Check for local heat, crepitation (crackling). • Check bones, ligaments, muscles, tendons.

9. Structural Tests • Nerves: Sensory and Motor • Circulation: Feel for pulse in the injured body part. • Musculoskeletal: Look for abnormal range of motion and/or pain in and around the injured area. • Perform active movement • Perform passive movement • Perform resistive movement • Perform any special tests

10. Functional Activity Test • Use only for mild injuries. • Use the injured body part to perform sports skills. • Begin with very simple skills and moving to sport specific. • Begin each skill at half speed and progress to full speed. • Do NOT allow any activity that causes pain or discomfort. • Determine if the athlete can perform normally. • Observe performance. • Question athlete concerning pain or abnormalities.

11. Assessment and Plan • Make a preliminary decision concerning the nature and severity of the injury. • Draw together all the previous evidence. • Based on that decision, use any or all the following procedures that are needed. • Apply emergency first aid. • Move the athlete off the field or court. • Use stretcher or ambulance if ANY doubt exists. • NEVER drag the athlete.

12. Assessment and Plan continued • Re-evaluate in more detail on the side-line, in the locker room, training room or at a medical facility. • RICE • Rest • Ice • Compression • Elevation • Refer to a physician. • Confirm evaluation. • X-ray and laboratory tests. • Recommend and administer treatment.

13. Re-Evaluate • Re-evaluate on the side-lines, locker room, training room throughout rehabilitation.

14. Record the Results • This is one of the most important things you can do. • Be specific. • This may eliminate a law suit. • BE CAREFUL!