Common Injuries

1. Common Injuries

2. Strains • Occurs in muscles • Placing too much pressure on the muscle or overuse can cause a strain

3. Sprain • Occurs in tendons and ligaments • When the joint is sent in a direction that is beyond it’s range of motion (ROM) and the tendon/ligament suffers a tear(s)

4. Separation • When a ligament between two bones tears, separating the joint but not displacing it

5. Dislocation • When you have a tear at the joint and the bones actually become displaced

6. Tendonitis • When the tendon becomes inflammed (red, sore, swollen, etc.) • Often due to overuse and friction

7. Initial Physical Signs of an Injury Swelling Heat Altered function Redness Pain

8. First Response Evaluation 1. Questions • What is injured? • How did it happen? • Did you hear/ feel a pop or a crack? • (This could identify either a torn ligament or a fractured bone) 2. Pain perception and Movement • Palpate (apply slight pressure) to the injured area and the areas around it; gauge the injury based on the person’s reaction • Attempt to move the joint through its normal range of motion • The amount of movement will indicate the severity of the situation

9. First Response Cont’D • Once you have determined the severity of a situation, remove player from where the injury occurred, testing their ability to bear weight on the way to the bench/sideline • Apply your PIER principle to the injured area and recommend follow up appointments with physician or emergency department (depending on severity) Pressure Ice Elevation Rest

10. Concussions • Commonly referred to as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), Concussions are the shaking or jarring of the brain inside the skull • Caused by bump, blow or jolt to the head; can also be caused by a fall or blow to the body • One of the most severe injuries to deal with but by far the most interesting to examine • Severity determined by the number of symptoms present, the immediate/delayed orientation of the individual and their overall consciousness • SCAT 2 (Sport Concussion Assessment Tool) is going to be your assessment test for concussions

11. Spine and Neck Injuries • After step one (identifying where the injury has occurred), if the answer is Spine or Neck, call 9-1-1 and then make the individual as comfortable as possible while stabilizing the neck • You do not want to move a spine or neck injury victim without knowing the mechanism and having the professional background of a paramedic, doctor or sometimes, a sport/athletic therapist  LAWSUIT! • Victims will often be fitted for a neck collar and boarded onto a spine board until x-rays can be taken

12. Arthroscopic Surgery • This is a much less invasive surgery that is used to repair bone and tissue damage in joints such as the knee or the shoulder • The most popular form of ACL reconstructive surgery or to repair a torn meniscus • Fewer incisions and a faster recovering period • Involves: The arthroscope (camera and light sources throughout the surgery) • Micro-instruments such as scissors, graspers, shavers and suture needles • The cannula which is a tube-like instrument used to remove or deliver fluid

13. Myths • Apply ice! No wait, heat! No… ice! No… heat • The use of ice is going to for injured or painful areas within 48 hours of an injury • Apply with compression for period of 15-20 minutes on and 1 hour-1.5hr off • After three or four days, if the injury and swelling doesn’t subside, attack the area with hot and cold baths or compressions • Heat is best used to loosen tight muscles • When in doubt, go with ice • Keeping the shoe on • This is important if you do not have access to compression devices or ice immediately. If both are available, remove the shoe and apply ice and compression right away