sports injury pain management

Question 1

types of injuries

Answer 1

• soft tissue
• major trauma
• skin abrasions and cuts

Question 2

explain inflammation phase

Answer 2

release of inflammatory mediators like leukocytes and macrophages

symptoms include: swelling, heat, pain, redness, loss of function

Question 3

explain repair process

Answer 3

repair process happens 24-48 hrs after injury and may take weeks or months to complete

when healing process begins: fibroblasts accumulate to produce the scar tissue

fibroblasts produce the mature collagen

Question 4

remodelling phase

Answer 4

begins three weeks after injury and overlaps the repair phase and continues for over a year

• maturation of newly formed tissue
• decrease in fibroblast activity

normal chemical activity restored

Question 5

explain RICE

Answer 5

R- resting the injury for 48-72 hours to enhance the healing and decrease the blood flow. after 48-72hours you can start moving again crutches?

I- Ice patch applied . apply till area is numb. the ice promotes vasoconstriction , decrease metabolic rate and good for pain relief

C- compression: elasticated bandage, tell pt to watch out for signs of cold extremities or colour change

E- elevation: helps fluid drain

Question 6

oral nsaids for tissue injury

Answer 6

Oral nsaid like ibuprofen can be used in tissue injury eg ibuprofen

NSAID’s control the pain and swelling: full anti-inflammatory effects not seen until 3 weeks

side effects : GI problems eg dyspepsia and heartburn
however contraindicated in asthma and can cause bronchospasm

Question 7

topical nsaids for tissue injury

Answer 7

diclofenac can be used rubbed into skin

topical nsaids penetrate the skin and block the COX 2

Side effects include local irritation eg dermatitis or erythema

don’t apply to broken skin