Lecture 1.
2
TOPIC: COMMON INJURY ENCOUNTERED BY OFFICIATING OFFICIALS AND ATHLETES
SPRAINS VS. STRAINS
A sprain is a stretch or tear of a ligament, the band of connective
tissues that joins the ends of one bone with another. Sprains are caused by
trauma such as a fall or a blow to the body that knocks a joint out a position
and, in the worst case, ruptures the supporting ligaments.
Sprains can range from first degree (minor) to third degree (the
worst). Areas of the body most vulnerable to sprains are ankles, knees, and
wrists. Signs of a sprain include varying degrees of tenderness or pain,
bruising, inflammation, swelling, inability to move a limb or joint or joint
looseness, laxity or instability.
A strain is a twist, pull or tear of a muscle or tendon – a cord of
tissue connecting muscle to bone. It is an acute, non-contact injury that
results from overstretching or over-contraction. Symptoms of a strain include pain, muscle, spasm, and loss of
strength. While it’s hard to tell the difference between mild and moderate strains, severe strains not treated
professionally can cause damage and lose of function.
KNEE INJURIES
Because of its complex structure and weightbearing capacity, the knee is the
most commonly injured joint. Each year, more than 5.5. Million people visit
orthopedic surgeons for knee problems.
Knee injuries can range from mild to severe. Less severe would be tendinitis,
patella femoral compression syndrome, iliotibial band syndrome, and bursitis, to
name a few. More severe injuries include bone bruises or damage to the cartilage
or ligaments. Major injuries are common to the Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL),
Meniscus injuries, Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), Medical collateral ligament (MCL) and the Lateral collateral
ligament (LCL).
Knee injuries can result from a blow or twist to the knee, from improper landing after a jump or from running too
hard, too much or without proper warm up. Other common sports injuries suffered by athletes are shin splints,
Achilles tendon injuries, patella dislocation and hamstring, quadriceps and calf injuries.
FRACTURES
A fracture is a break in the bone that can occur from either a quick,
one-time injury to the bone (acute fracture) or from repeated stress to
the bone over time (stress fracture).
The most common symptoms of a stress fracture is pain at the site
that worsens with weight bearing activities. Tenderness and swelling
often accompany the pain. This is very important for the coaches to
recognize and to refer the athlete to the trainer or the team physicians.
DISLOCATIONS
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/disease s - - conditions/tibi a - shinbon e - shaf t -
When the two bones that come together to form a joint fractures /
become separated, the joint is described as being dislocated. Contact
sports such as football, basketball, and lacrosse, as well as high
impact sports that can result in excessive stretching or falling, cause
the majority of dislocations. A dislocated joint is an emergency
situation that requires medical treatments.
HOME TREATMENT
For sprains and strains
Minor sprains and strains can be treated at home. Start treatment
as soon as possible to reduce swelling and speed of recovery.
The less swelling, the more blood can get to the injured part to
start the repair process. The following measures can be used to
treat sprains and strains:
• Apply the R.I.C.E. method
Do not apply heat during the first two
days as this will only increase swelling.
• Use paracetamol for the first day of the injury, to reduce
pain without increasing bleeding. Therefore, ibuprofen (or
other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) or aspirin is a good choice. Don’t give aspirin to a child younger than
16 years.
• Apply Arnica oil to reduce swelling.
• Remove rings immediately if the injury is to the hand or fingers.
• After 48 hours, start moving the limbs gently, but only enough not to cause pain.
• Gradually increase the range of movement – let pain be your guide. Strains usually heal in about a
week. Sprains may take up to three weeks to heal.
For fractures
• Apply the R.I.C.E. method
• Keep the limbs in the position you found it and place
soft padding around the broken bones. Splint the injury with
something rigid, such as rolled up newspaper or magazines, to
prevent the bones from shifting. Don’t move the broken bones.
Splints must be long enough to extend beyond joints above
and
below the fracture.
• If there is an open fracture, cover it with a clean gauze pad. Apply pressure to control bleeding.
Don’t try to push the bone back into the wound and don’t attempt to clean it.
• Get medical attention immediately. Fractures of the femur and pelvis may cause severe internal
bleeding.
• Don’t give the person anything to eat or drink in case surgery is needed.
See a doctor if:
• You suspect a fracture or dislocation or if you are unsure of the severity of a sprain or strain.
• You cannot straighten the affected joint or bear weight on it, or if a joint feels unstable.
• The skin over the injury area is broken.
• The limb below the injury feels numb or tingling, or is white, pale or blue in color or feels colder
compared to the other healthy limb.
• The ligaments of the knee are injured.
• You injure an area that has been injured several times before.
• Pain is severe or lasts longer than 24 hours, or if swelling doesn’t subside within 48 hours.
• A sprain or strain doesn’t improve after five to seven days. Signs of infection develop.
Prevention
• Many exercise-induced injuries can be prevented. Don’t be a “weekend warrior”. Get yourself into
shape gradually with a graded exercise program. Listen to your body. Warm up properly and cool off after
exercising. Use proper equipment and the correct technique.
• Use common sense to prevent injury in everyday life. Don’t carry heavy objects. Watch where you
step. Keep your home safe.
• To prevent falls, older adults should keep their muscles strong by exercising or doing tai chi.
R. I.C.E method
• Rest the injured part, especially for the
first 24 to 48 hours after the injury this is the most
critical time of treatment. Avoid any activity that
causes pain or makes it worse. Use crutches f
the leg, foot, or ankle is injured. Support an
injured wrist, arm, or shoulder with a sling. Tape
an injured toe or finger to its healthy neighbor.
• Ice is an excellent anti-inflammatory and it reduces swelling and pain. Apply an ice pack or cold
compress for 10 to 15 minutes as soon as possible after an injury. Repeat each hour for the first 3 to 4
hours, then 4 times a day for the next 2 to 3 days. Protect your skin with a thin cloth. If ice packs are not
available, a packet of frozen vegetables in a cloth will do.
• Compression also reduces swelling. Use elastic bandages for the last 2 days. Check that the
bandage is snug, but not too tight. Take the bandage off at night.
• Elevation drains fluids from injured tissues. Elevate the injured area whenever you are sitting or
lying down. Try to keep the injured area at or above the level of the heart.
First Aid knowledge is invaluable for both you as the individual and for your community. It enables you to
assist persons who become injured in the event of an accident or emergency situation until help arrives. First Aid
skills can be applied in the home, the workplace or in public locations, therefore the more First Aid certified people
there are in a community the safer that community becomes.
