option 3; sports medicine Flashcards
Ways to classify sports injuries?
- Direct or Indirect
- Soft or Hard tissue
- Overuse
What makes an injury direct?
Caused by an external force applied to the body
e.g. thigh contusion
What makes an injury indirect?
Caused by an internal force and results from excess stress on the muscle
e.g. hamstring tear
What type of injuries are soft tissue?
Injury relating to everything in the body apart from bones and teeth.
What are the different types of soft tissue injuries?
-Tears
-Sprains
-Contusion
-Skin Abrasions
-Lacerations
-Blisters
What is the difference between a tear and a sprain?
Tears are from stretching or tearing a muscle or tendon whereas, sprains are from stretching or tearing a ligament such as a rolled ankle.
What is a contusion?
Sudden blow to the body, such as a bruise.
Do all soft tissue injuries get managed the same way?
No, injuries to the skin have their own specific types of management.
What is a skin abrasion?
Injury caused by scraps and grazes
e.g. falling while running on asphalt.
How do you treat skin abrasions?
- Gently cleanse and sterilise the wound to prevent infection.
- Apply appropriate dressing
What is a laceration?
Injuries that occur when sharp objects slice through the skin.
How do you treat a laceration?
- Clean the area thoroughly with antiseptic soap
- Once dried, apply a sterile gauze pad
*If lacerations are longer than 1cm, you must be refer to a doctor for possible stitches
What are blisters?
Injuries caused by a collection of fluid below or within the epidermal layer of skin, giving rise to intense pain.
How do you treat blisters?
- 24 hour rest
- If blister still prevails and is causing concern, it may need to be surgically released and a donut pad to be applied.
What is inflammatory response?
After a soft tissue injury, the body responds by increasing fluid around the area and around the joint (swelling). This reduces range of motion which may act as a protective function, however pain may be more intense.
*last up to 5 days
How do you manage non-skin soft tissue injuries?
Rest
Ice
Compression
Elevation
Referral
Why should you Rest?
Prevents further injury and decreases blood flow around the body.