Ch. 12-Common Sport and Recreational Injuries

1. Ch. 12-Common Sport andRecreational Injuries 1

2. First Aid Care Activate the EMS system immediately, then: 1. Don’t move the victim until you have splinted the fracture with one of the following three methods: Sling and swathe Figure-8 bandage or butterfly sling Improvised immobilizationusing cravats tied together, a roller bandage, or elastic wrap 2. Gently apply an ice pack or cold compresses to the fracture site to alleviate pain. 3. Allow the victim to stay in the most comfortable position, usually sitting. Fractured Clavicle Signsandsymptomsinclude: • lump over the fracture sight • lump will be tender, swollen, and deformed 2

3. Shoulder Separation 1. Immobilize the shoulder with both horizontal and vertical swathes and a sling. 2. Apply an ice pack or cold compress to the shoulder joint if the victim can tolerate it. 3

4. Vocabulary • Acromioclavicular joint- the joint in the shoulder where the clavicle, scapula, and humerus join • Palpable- able to be felt by the First Aider • Tennis elbow- Inflammation of the bony protrusion of the elbow 4

5. Dislocated Shoulder 1. Check for a pulse in the wrist and sensation in the hand; if either is missing, activate the EMS system immediately. 2. Immobilize the shoulder in the position found; never attempt to straighten a dislocated shoulder. 5

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7. Dislocated Elbow 1. Immobilize the injury in the position found; never try to straighten a dislocated elbow. If possible, use a ladder splint, Sam splint, or vacuum splint; do not use an air splint, because it forces the bones into the shape of the splint. 2. Apply an ice pack or cold compress. 7

8. Fracture of the Radial Head 1. Splint the injured arm in a flexed position; if possible, use a vacuum splint, ladder splint, or board splint. 2. Use a sling and swathe to support the injured arm. 3. Apply an ice bag or cold compress to the injury site. 8

9. Vocabulary • Colles’s fracture- A displaced fracture of the forearm caused when the victim falls on the palm of the hand with the wrist extended • Smith’s fracture- A displaced fracture of the forearm caused when the victim falls on the back of the hand with the wrist flexed • Anatomical snuffbox- The area of the wrist through which the radial artery passes • Ischial tuberosity- The spot where the top of the hamstring attaches • Patella- The kneecap 9

10. Colles’s and Smith’s Fractures 1. Splint the forearm; if possible, use a Sam splint, ladder splint, or vacuum splint. Immobilize both the wrist and the elbow, but leave the fingers exposed. 2. Because a number of blood vessels pass through the area, check circulation by monitoring the capillary refill in the fingernails. 3. Apply an ice pack or cold compress to the injury site to reduce swelling and pain. 10

11. Fracture and Dislocation of the Carpal Bones 1. If there is no deformity, splint the wrist and hand with an air splint or other appropriate splint. 2. If there is deformity, splint the wrist and hand with a Sam splint, ladder splint, vacuum splint, or other splint that will conform to the shape of the deformity; do not use an air splint if there is deformity. 3. Use an ice pack or cold compress to reduce pain and swelling. 11

12. Metacarpal Fractures 1. If there is no gross deformity, splint the hand with a Sam splint, ladder splint, or vacuum splint. Keep the fingertips exposed. 2. Assess for circulation by checking capillary refill every few minutes while you take the patient to a medical facility. 12

13. Fractured or Dislocated Fingers 1. Splint the fingers; if there is little deformity, splint the injured finger to an adjacent uninjured finger. 2. Never try to reduce a dislocated finger. 3. Apply an ice pack or cold compress to reduce pain and swelling. 13

14. Sprained Thumb (Gamekeeper’s Thumb) 1. An ice pack should be applied to the area to control swelling and pain. 2. The thumb should be immobilized or buddy taped to the index finger. 3. Refer to a physician. 14

15. PROGRESS CHECK 1. If the arm on the injured side appears longer than the one on the other side, suspect __________ of the shoulder. (fracture/dislocation/separation) 2. In shoulder fracture or separation, there is generally a lump at the tip of the shoulder; with dislocation, the tip of the shoulder is typically __________. (swollen/prominent/flattened) 3. Use slight traction or pulling to immobilize all shoulder injuries other than __________. (separation/dislocation/fracture) 4. You should splint an elbow dislocation __________. (with the arm straightened/in the position found/with the elbow bent) 5. Do not use a __________ splint on a dislocated elbow. (air/Sam/ladder) 6. To assess fractured radial head, have the victim __________. (bend the elbow/straighten the elbow/rotate the forearm) 7. In all splints of the forearm, wrist, and/or hand, leave the __________ exposed. (elbow/wrist/fingertips) 8. The general first aid care procedure for all injuries to the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand is to __________. (apply traction/use a sling/immobilize, usually by splinting) 15

16. Ischial Tuberosity Fracture 1. Use a roller bandage to support the affected buttocks. 2. Apply an ice pack or cold compress to relieve pain and reduce swelling. 3. Because this injury makes it extremely difficult to walk, provide crutches, a stretcher, or other way to transport the victim. 16

17. Sprained Knee Ligaments 1. Wrap the knee in the most comfortable position with a pillow splint, or immobilize the knee and the bones above or below it with vacuum splint or padded splint. 2. Apply an ice pack or cold compress to relieve pain and reduce swelling. 17

18. Dislocated Patella 1. Check the ankle pulse. If it is absent, try once to straighten the knee. Never try to straighten or extend the knee for any other reason. 2. Splint the injured leg in the position in which it was found; use a pillow splint, Sam splint, or vacuum splint to immobilize the knee and the bones above and below it, taking care not to push against the patella. 3. Apply an ice pack or cold compress to relieve pain and reduce swelling. 18

19. Achilles Tendon Rupture 1. Splint the affected leg with a lower leg splint, with the foot slightly plantar flexed. 2. Apply an ice pack or cold compress to the area, and secure it with a roller bandage. 19

20. Ankle Sprains 1. Immediately apply an ice pack to the area to help control swelling. 2. Apply compression with an elastic wrap or an air splint if there is no apparent deformity. 3. Elevate the limb. 4. Transport the victim to a medical facility to rule out a fracture. 20

21. Fractured Tibia or Fibula 1. If there is no displacement or deformity, immobilize the leg with an air splint; otherwise, use a Sam splint, ladder splint, vacuum splint, or similar splint to immobilize the leg. 2. Apply an ice pack or cold compress to relieve pain and reduce swelling. 21

22. PROGRESS CHECK 1. An ischial tuberosity fracture causes pain in the _________. (hip/leg/buttocks) 2. Care for torn knee ligament by splinting the leg in a ____________ position. (straight/flexed/comfortable) 3. Splint a dislocated patella in ____________. (the position in which it was found/a straight position/a flexed position) 4. Achilles tendon rupture typically causes ____________ if the tear is partial. (gross deformity/limited range of motion/paralysis) 5. The same force that causes sprained ankle can also cause fracture in the ____________. (foot/lower leg/knee) 22