Field and sideline evaluation

Question 1

general injury assessment guidelines

Answer 1

• meet with visiting team student trainers and review EAP
• watch play for MOI
• make sure referee stopped the play
• run on field in pairs (assign roles)
• one trainer stabilize other assesses other injuries
• rule out worst first (cardiac, spinal)
• check ABCs then check specific injury site
• calm athlete, keep them still
• check for blood deformity, swelling
• check for fracture
• check for dislocation
• ask for AROM
• special tests and palpation
• ask athlete if they can stand up (in steps), trainers support athlete on both side

Question 2

General sample questions for injury evaluations

Answer 2

• what happened
• where is it hurting, show me
• what does it feel like/type of pain
• did you hear or feel a “pop”
• has this happened before, does it feel the same
• can you move it

Question 3

immediate assessment of concussion

Answer 3

• watch play for MOI
• trainers run on field in pairs
• one trainer stabilizes head, other checks ABCs (identifies or rules out life threatening injury)
• wake up athlete if unconscious
• keep athlete calm and start secondary survey (if conscious)

Question 4

what is involved in the secondary survey

Answer 4

• questions for evaluation
• palpate neck
• memory questions
• ask if they can sit/stand up , help them

Question 5

concussion sideline assessment

Answer 5

• remove athlete from play, don’t allow them to return
• sit athlete down on bench/treatment table
• inform coach of possible concussion and can’t play
• SCAT6 and king devick
• continue to monitor athlete during practice or until game is over
• advise athlete of reg flag symptoms, recommendations (no tylenol/advil etc), follow up next day with AT/PT (refer to varsity sports doctor)

Question 6

Ankle evalutation

Answer 6

• AROM
• PROM
• manual muscle testing (MMT)/ RROM

Question 7

ankle movements

Answer 7

• dorsiflexion
• platarflexion
• inversion
• eversion

Question 8

ankle special tests

Answer 8

• talar tilit
• anterior drawer
• Kleiger’s test (high ankle)
• thompson test (achilles rupture/tear)

Question 9

other ankle tests

Answer 9

• palpation, touch, feel
• weight bearing –> full, partial, non
• gait walk/job (on field), run, sprint, cut, pivot (on sideline)

Question 10

knee assessment

Answer 10

• AROM
• PROM
• resisted muscle testing

Question 11

knee movements

Answer 11

• extension
• flexion

Question 12

knee special tests

Answer 12

• passive full knee extension
• active quad contraction and slight leg raise
• patellar position/apprehension
• valgus/varus test
• anterior drawer
• posterior drawer
• McMurray’s test (meniscus)

Question 13

other knee tests

Answer 13

• palpation, touch, feel, swelling/effusion (wipe test)
• weight bearing (full, partial, non)
• gait

Question 14

Hip and thigh assesment

Answer 14

• AROM
• PROM
• manual muscle testing

Question 15

hip/thigh movements

Answer 15

• flexion
• extension
• abduction
• adduction
• internal rotation
• external rotation

Question 16

hip/thigh special tests

Answer 16

• AROM, PROM, MMT are key
• straight leg raise
• FABER test (flexion, abduction, external rotation)

Question 17

hip/thigh other test

Answer 17

• palpation, touch, feel
• weight bearing (full, partial, non)
• gait

Question 18

shoulder assessment

Answer 18

• AROM
• PROM
• Manual muscle testing

Question 19

shoulder movements

Answer 19

• flexion
• extension
• abduction
• adduction
• cross flexion
• cross extension
• internal rotation
• external rotation

Question 20

common shoulder special tests

Answer 20

• hawkins kennedy (impingement)
• empty can (supraspinatus)
• speeds (biceps)
• horizontal cross flexion, scarf, push ups (AC joint)
• apprehension (rarely do this)

Question 21

other shoulder tests

Answer 21

• palpation
• touch
• feel

Question 22

Elbow assessment

Answer 22

• AROM
• PROM
• manual muscle testing

Question 23

Elbow movements

Answer 23

• extension
• flexion
• supination
• pronation

Question 24

elbow common special test

Answer 24

• AROM, PROM, MMT are key
• Valgus/ varus test

Question 25

other elbow test

Answer 25

• palpation
• touch
• feel

Question 26

Wrist/hand assessment

Answer 26

• AROM
• PROM
• MMT

Question 27

Wrist/hand movements

Answer 27

• flexion
• extension
• radial deviation
• ulnar deviation
• supination
• pronation

Question 28

wrist/hand common special test

Answer 28

• AROM, PROM, MMT are key
• valgus/varus (thumb mp joint, finger joints)
• grip ability

Question 29

other hand/wrist assesment

Answer 29

• palpation
• touch
• feel

Question 30

return to play decision criteria

Answer 30

• subjectively ask if athlete feels they can play (don’t push them)
• objectively, 80% greater results in assessments and special test can return to play
• if any joint laxity or special test failure, don’t allow rtp
• if symptoms worsens or athlete is struggling, remove athlete
• be aware of sport rules for injury removal (ask if unaware)
• apply appropriate taping, give athlete time, stretch/soft tissue work, electrolytes

Question 31

what to do if decision is not to return to play

Answer 31

• immediately inform coach
• apply ice (RICE)
• give athlete home advice and next steps

Question 32

RTP status and coach communication

Answer 32

• inform coach of suspected injury (immediately after decision) and advise on status after RTP decision
• tell athlete your findings and safe recommendations for play or removal
• ongoing athlete review and feedback of injury changes
• give coaches updates
• update coach after game for injury follow ups