Download Soft tissue injuries

3.4.3 – Risk assessment and safety
Learning objectives
To understand the difference between a strain and a sprain.
To be able to explain treatment for a soft tissue injury.
To describe joint injuries sustained in sport.
To understand the different type of fractures.
To understand the terms concussion, dehydration, and hypothermia.
First aid
First aid and emergency aid are necessary following an
injury in sport. Minor and major injuries are treated in
different ways.
Sports such as badminton are less likely to involve injuries
than contact sports.
Muscles and injury
When exercising there is always a risk of muscle injury.
A STRAIN is a soft tissue injury (pulled or overstretched
muscle).
Treatment: R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)
Avoidance:
Warm up
thoroughly.
Muscles and injury
A SPRAIN is a soft tissue injury (Twisted or wrenched
ligament). Sprains occur when ligaments at joints get
stretched and torn. i.e. Sprained ankles are very common
Severe sprains result in torn ligaments.
Treatment: R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)
Avoidance:
Strengthen area
using weight training
Treatment for soft tissue injuries
R Rest the injured part.
I
Apply Ice to reduce the swelling for 10
minutes (max). Frozen peas work well!
C
Compress the injury, possibly using a
tubigrip bandage.
Elevate the part to decrease the blood
E
supply.
Joint Injuries
Dislocation – Occurs at a joint.
What is a joint?
Causes
Dislocations are usually caused by a sudden impact to the
joint. This usually occurs following a blow or a fall. The bones
that meet at that joint becomes dislocated (not connected).
Symptoms of a dislocation – How can you tell?
A dislocated joint may be:
• Visibly out-of-place, discoloured, or mis-shapen
• Limited in movement
• Swollen or bruised
• Intensely painful, especially if you try to use the joint
or bear weight on it
Soft tissue injuries
An open injury means that the skin has been broken –
blood usually escapes.
Cuts - require immediate
attention to stop bleeding
and allow the blood to clot.
Grazes or abrasions where skin is scraped off the body.
Grazes that result from falls can often contain dirt and grit.
Bruises
Bruises occur when small blood vessels are damaged
under the skin.
This causes bleeding beneath the skin, leading to
swelling and discolouration.
Bruises and strains should be treated with ice to
reduce the swelling.
Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is an inflammation, soreness, or pain on the
outside side of the upper arm near the elbow.
Causes:
This injury is caused by repetitively twisting the wrist or forearm. The
injury is classically associated with tennis playing, hence the name
"tennis elbow," but any activity that involves repetitive twisting of the
wrist (like using a screwdriver) can also lead to it.
Tennis elbow treatment:
- R.I.C.E.
- Steroid injection
Strapping can help prevent
the occurrence of tennis
elbow
Golfer’s Elbow
Golfer’s elbow is similar to tennis elbow. The repetitive
strain is on the inside of the elbow.
Treatment: RICE
Fractures
A fracture is a break or crack in the bone
Bones can break when a direct impact is received (hockey
stick striking the shin) or indirect force is produced by a twist
or a wrench (a trip or stumble).
Fracture Types
Closed Fracture
The surrounding skin is
unbroken.
This is also known as a
simple fracture.
Closed fractures
usually occur during
rugby and football
matches.
Open Fracture
Close to the fracture, the skin is broken and the bone may
protrude through.
This can cause complications with infection from germs.
Treating Fractures
To deal with a major fracture you should keep the
casualty still and ring 999.
Never move the casualty (unless in danger).
Never try to replace a dislocated bone.
Reassure the patient
Recovery Position
Head is
supported/
tilted so
tongue or
vomit doesn’t
block airway
Support/stability
so person
doesn’t roll over
Safest position for an unconscious person BUT breathing
Makes the casualty comfortable, able to breathe and safe from choking
When might someone need to be put into a recovery position? What
sporting incident?
Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Mouth to Mouth
Ventilation
-Seal mouth over mouth and pinch nose. This forms a seal
and ensures no air escapes. Provides vital oxygen to the body
artificially.
- 2 breathes – continue until ambulance arrives, they breathe
or too tired
Chest compressions
- Perform 30 compressions of the chest at the sternum
- Know as cardiac massage. The aim is to squeeze the
heart so blood pumps through the body
Concussion
Concussion is a common
cause of unconsciousness
while playing sport.
Concussion occurs when an
individual has received a blow
to the head.
The signs can include disorientation, loss of vision,
vomiting, paleness, a racing pulse and shallow breathing.
Concussion should be treated at hospital.
Dehydration
When we exercise, especially in
hot conditions, the body loses water
as a result of sweating.
If the performer does not re-hydrate
by drinking lots of water, they may
suffer from dehydration.
This results in the performer feeling
very tired and faint.
Hypothermia
If a performer’s body temperature
falls below 35°C, they begin to
suffer from hypothermia.
Common symptoms of
hypothermia are shivering,
paleness, loss of dexterity and
erratic behaviour.
Summary Questions:
Describe the difference between a strain and a sprain.
What is concussion?
What is a open/closed fracture?
How do you treat a soft tissue injury?
Describe the signs of hypothermia.