Sports Injuries Flashcards
What is bursitis
Inflammation of the bursa (a fluid filled sac that cushions the muscle/tendon from the joint)
Symptoms of bursitis
Pain during movement
Swelling and redness
Can be acute or chronic
What causes bursitis
Prolonged pressure (e.g, resting on elbows, kneeling) repetitive use
Where does bursitis occur
Joints (shoulder, knee)
What injury is most likely to occur for people who are studying for exams?
bursitis (sore elbows)
What is tendinitis
Inflammation of the tendon, which connects the muscle to a bone or joint
What are symptoms of tendinitis
Pain, swelling
What causes tendinitis
Mainly repetitive use or overuse, improper training technique
Where does tendinitis occur
Near joints (shoulder, elbow, knee, ankle)
How does tendinitis of the ankle occur
poorly fitted footwear
overuse (a lot of walking)
What tendon is affected in tendinitis of the ankle
achilles tendon
What causes tendinitis in the elbow
carrying things repeated movements (eg. at factory job) tennis elbow (can be caused by sports)
What is a strain
Tear in muscle/tendon (minor tear to full rupture)
What is the impact of a strain
disrupts movement
What causes strains
Can be over-exertion, over-stretching, repetitive movement, or trauma
Where do strains occur
Common in back, shoulder, hamstrings (i.e., a ”torn” or “pulled” muscle)
Symptoms of strains
Pain, swelling
What are sprains
Tear in ligament (partial or full rupture)
What is the impact of a sprain
disrupts stability
How do sprains occur
Mainly trauma, from twisting, falling leading to the ligament being stretched or twisted too much
Where do sprains occur
Common in ankles, knees, wrists, fingers
What are the symptoms of sprains
Pain, swelling, tenderness, bruising
What are stress fractures
Small fractures (micro breaks) in the bone resulting from repetitive strain
What is another name for tennis elbow
lateral epicondylitis
What is the impact of a stress fracture
Pain during exercise
What causes stress fractures
Repetitive force (e.g., basketball, long distance running)
Where do stress fractures occur
lower limbs
What are the symptoms of stress fractures
Starts and stops (shows up during activity)
May have swelling
What is plantar fasciitis
Inflammation of plantar fascia (periosteum of bottom of foot)
What is the impact of plantar fasciitis
Pain while walking
What causes plantar fasciitis
long walks, poorly fitted footwear
Where does plantar fasciitis occur
Bottom of the foot
What is the symptom of plantar fasciitis
Pain
What is a shin splint
AKA Medial tibial stress syndrome
Inflammation of the muscles and connective tissues of the lower leg around the tibia (shin)
What is the impact of shin splints
Pain while walking, running
What causes shin splints
Change in exercise (more running, running up hills, etc)
high impact exercise that overloads the tibia, like running, dancing, gymnastics
Where do shin splints occur
Lower legs (tibia)
What are symptoms of shin splints
Shin pain, during and after exercise
How to prevent sport injuries
- Train
- Stretch
- Warm-up
- Cool-down
How to prevent sport injuries
- Train
- Stretch
- Warm-up
- Cool-down
What are red flags for ER referral
• Joint injuries with – Severe pain – Obvious fracture – Joint deformity – Inability to bear weight on injured limb
How do you know if a child has a sports injury
Kids will not have pain (adults will) but have lack of mobility
Use the amsterdam wrist rule:
- cant do supination or pronation
- pressing radius = painful
When do you use RICE
<48 hours of injury
What is the R in RICE
REST at least 24h
what is the I in RICE
ICE
10-30 minutes q3-6h x 48h
– 10 min for bony areas (hand, wrist, elbow)
– 20-30 min for fatty areas (hip)
CAUTION: in patients with circulatory diseases (Raynauds, diabetes)
what is C in RICE
COMPRESS if swelling using an elastic bandage for 24 hr
what is E in RICE
ELEVATE above heart level to drain fluid and reduce swelling
What can RICE be used for
bursitis, sprains, strains, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, tendinitis
(everything except stress fractures)
What should you do for stress fractures (instead of RICE)
rest the area and train using low impact activity such as swimming, cycling
What do you after 48 hours of a sports injury
Use heat for 2-14 days
20-30 min q2-4h prn
always wrap bottles and pads in a towel to avoid burns
AVOID: unconscious patients, impaired skin sensitivity, poor circulation, open wounds
What is done after 14 days of sports injury
refer (should be resolved after 14 days)
follow up to assess pain, swelling, movement
What oral analgesics can be used for sports injuries
acetaminophen, NSAIDs
What topical analgesic is used for sports injuries
diclofenac
Caution: Do not use more than 4 times daily and do not use under heating pads
What injection is used for sports injuries
corticosteroids (tendinitis)
What vapocoolants can be used
mainly distract from injury
ethyl chloride, Spray and Stretch (pentafluoropropane 95%/tetrafluroethane 5%)
What vapocoolants can be used
mainly distract from injury
ethyl chloride, Spray and Stretch (pentafluoropropane 95%/tetrafluroethane 5%)
What are topical counter-irritants and do they work?
tiger balm, Rub A535
do not work, can be used for muscle massage
How to assess musculoskeletal injuries
use medSask
- Patient factors to assess (MedSask)
- if present refer
- age <12 years
- pregnancy
- CVD (or risk factors)
- GID (or risk factors)
- Renal impairment
- asthma
- bleeding disorder or use antiplatelet or anticoagulant
- Assess for red flag symptoms (MedSask)
- if present, refer
- visible joint changes, abnormal movement, mobility limitations
- pelvic/abdominal pain
- systemic symptoms (nausea, vomiting, fever)
- pain >2 weeks or >7 days with treatment
- severe pain (>7 on 10 point scale)
- significant trauma (fall, car accident)
- Are symptoms typical of acute musculoskeletal pain? (medSask)
- if not, refer
- pain (mild to moderate)
- swelling and/or bruising
- symptoms due to overexertion or muscle/ligament injury
- Treatment (medSask)
- RICE/heat
- OTC analgesics x 7 days
- Rx NSAIDS x 7 days
