1 - Injury prevention and Rehabilitation

Question 1

Define an acute injury?

Answer 1

A sudden injury caused by a specific impact or traumatic event where a sharp pain is felt immediately.

Question 2

Define a chronic injury?

Answer 2

A chronic injury occurs after playing sport or exercise for a long time, they are often called overuse injuries.

Question 3

Name the signs of acute injury?

Answer 3

• Sudden, severe pain
• Swelling around the injured site
• Not being able to bear weight
• Restricted movement
• Extreme leg or arm weakness
• A protruding bone or a joint that is visibly out of place

Question 4

Define and explain a fracture?

Answer 4

A fracture is a break or a crack in a bone, it can fracture in a number of different ways

• A simple or closed fracture is a clean break to the bone that doesn’t penetrate through the skin or damage any surrounding tissue.
• A compound or open fracture is when the soft tissue or skin has been damaged, which can cause an infection

Question 5

Name the different types of fractures and define them?

Answer 5

Comminuted - here the bone breaks or splinters into three or more pieces.
Spiral - A winding break
Longitudinal - A break that occurs along the length of the bone
Buckle - occurs in children where the bone deforms but does not break
Hairline - A partial fracture of the bone that is difficult to detect
Greenstick - these fractures occur in children with a bone partially fractures on one side but does not break completely. This is because in young children the bone is softer and more elastic so it can bend,

Question 6

Define and explain a dislocation?

Answer 6

An injury caused when the normal position of a joint is altered

• Dislocation is caused by a fall or a blow, sometimes from playing a contact sport
• Dislocated joints are swollen, very painful and visibly out of place. You may not be able to move it.
• Treatment can include manipulation to reposition bones, medicine, a splint or sling and rehabilitation. However it depends which joint is dislocated.
• Once you dislocate a shoulder or kneecap, you are most likely to dislocate it again.
• Wearing protective gear during sports may help prevent dislocations.

Question 7

Define and explain a sprain?

Answer 7

Sprains are when one or more of the ligaments are stretched, twisted or torn.

• Sprains are often caused by too much force being applied to a joint
• Minor sprains and strains can be treated with RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)

Question 8

Define and explain a strain?

Answer 8

Strains are when muscle fibres stretch or tear

• Strains often occur when muscle is stretched beyond its limit or is forced to contract too quickly.
• Minor sprains and strains can be treated with RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)

Question 9

What are the signs of a chronic injury?

Answer 9

• Pain when you compete or exercise
• A dull ache when you rest
• Swelling

Question 10

Define and explain Achilles tendinitis?

Answer 10

Achilles tendinitis is caused by overuse of the Achilles tendon

• It can cause the tendon to rupture
• It can cause lots of pain and swelling
• It may look abnormal

Question 11

Define and explain a stress fracture?

Answer 11

A stress fracture is an overuse injury rather than a mechanical injury. Muscle become stressed and transfers to stress to the bones, causing a small crack.
- Stress fractures are most common in the weight-bearing bones of the legs, often when there is an increase in the amount of exercise or the intensity of an activity is increased too quickly.

Question 12

Define and explain tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)?

Answer 12

Tennis elbow is the inflammation of the tendons of the elbow

• It is caused by overuse of muscles in the forearm, sometimes caused by playing tennis or golf.
• The area becomes very sore and tender
• The pain is felt on the bony part of the outer elbow