Download The Concept of Sports Injury

The Concept of Sports
Injury
Injury continues to be unavoidable to a number of active
individuals.
Definition of Sports Injury
• A single universal definition is unavailable
• Injuries are defined and described in terms of variables
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Body area involved
Type of tissue involved
Severity of damage
Time lost to athlete/individual
Major Injury Categories
• Acute Injuries – characterized by a rapid onset, resulting from a traumatic
event
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Significant traumatic event followed immediately by signs and symptoms such as
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Pain
Swelling
Loss of function
Major Injury Categories
• Chronic Injuries – characterized by a slow insidious onset implying a gradual
development of structural damage
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This is not s single traumatic injury; rather they develop progressively over time
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Otherwise known as an overuse injury, common sites for Chronic Injuries are
• Achilles Tendon
• Patellar Tendon
• Rotator Cuff
Tissues
• Soft Tissue – muscles, fascia, tendons, joint capsules, ligaments, blood
vessels and nerves
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Contusions (Bruises)
Sprains (Ligaments/Capsules)
Strains (Muscles/Tendons)
• Skeletal Tissue – any bony structure within the body
Major Injury Categories
• Catastrophic Injuries – those that involve damage to the brain or spinal cord
and are potentially life threatening or permanent
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Direct Catastrophic Injury – incurs during participation which there is permanent severe
functional neurological disability
Indirect Catastrophic Injuries – systemic failure resulting from exertion while
participation, or complication from a direct catastrophic injury
Athletic Trainers Speak Out
• “The proper management of acute sports injuries is paramount, especially
during he first few minutes after the injury has occurred. The ability to
properly treat an acute musculoskeletal strain or ligamentous sprain
immediately following occurrence can aid in reducing the athletes recovery
time and expedite the athletes return to play. In the case of a potentially
catastrophic injury, the precise acute treatment can mean the difference
between life and death for an injured athlete.” Bart Buxton, ATC, Ed.D.
Injury Classifications
• Sprains – injuries to ligaments, which surround all synovial joints within the
body
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First-Degree – mildest form; mild pain and disability; little to no swelling
Second-Degree – more damage to ligaments; increased pain and dysfunction; swelling
will be more pronounced
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Often have a tendency to recur
Third-Degree – most severe ;imply a complete tear of ligaments; extensive damage,
pain, swelling and hemorrhage will be significant
Injury Classifications
• Strains – injuries to muscles, tendons, or the junction between the two
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First-Degree – mildest form; pain during use; mild swelling and muscle spasm could be
present
Second-Degree – More extensive damage to soft tissue; more pronounced swelling,
pain, and spasm; function loss will be moderate
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Associated with excessive forced stretching
Third-Degree – complete rupture of soft tissue; a defect may be apparent through the
skin
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Avulsion Fracture – bony attachment of the tendon
Tissues between the tendons and muscles or within the muscle
Injury Classifications
• Contusions – common bruise; compression of the underlying tissue as well
as the skin
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Most are minor but some could turn serious, even life threatening if the injurie involves
the tissues of major organs such as the kidneys or brain
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Pain, swelling, stiffness
Ecchymosis – discoloration
Hematoma – pooling of blood
Injury Classifications
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Stress Fracture – bone is subjected to overloading stress that exceeds the rate of recovery
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Take time to develop and sometimes can be confused with shin splints
Most stress fractures occur in lower extremity bones
Fracture – a break or crack in the bone; involving bones or joints
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Closed Fracture – bone ends not breaking the skin
Compound Fracture – bone ends breaking through the skin surface
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Potentially more serious due to risk of infection related to the open wound
Swelling
Deformity
Pain and Tenderness
Loss of Us
Fractures
Injury Classifications
• Dislocations – displacement of bones compromising a joint
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Subluxation – when bones of a joint are only partially displaced
Luxation – Bones of a joint are totally displaced
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All dislocations should be treated seriously and only a physician should reduce(put back in
place) the dislocation