1. SOFT TISSUE INJURIES

2. SOFT TISSUE INJURIES SOFT TISSUE INJURIES INVOLVE: SKIN
FASCIA (A THIN SHEATH OF FIBROUS TISSUE ENCLOSING A MUSCLE OR ORGAN)
CARTILAGE
MUSCLE
TENDONS
LIGAMENTS
VEINS
ARTERIES
SOFT TISSUE INJURIES CAN BE:
OPEN – A BREAK IN THE SKIN OR MUCOUS MEMBRANE
THE MAIN FOCUS IN TREATING AN OPEN WOUND IS TO CONTROL THE BLEEDING AND PREVENT INFECTION
CLOSED – NO BREAK IN THE SKIN OR MUCOUS MEMBRANE

3. TYPES OF SUPERFICIAL INJURIES
Superficial means on or immediately beneath the skin
Types of superficial injuries:
Abrasion
Laceration
Puncture
Incision
Avulsion
Callus
Blister
Hematoma
Contusion

4. ABRASION CAUSED FROM SKIDDING OR SLIDING
USUALLY NOT DEEP, SO BLEEDING IS MINIMAL
RISK OF INFECTION IS GREAT
TREATMENT:
WASH WITH ANTIBACTERIAL SOAP
FLUSH WITH WATER
APPLY PETROLEUM BASED FIRST AID CREAM TO KEEP ABRASION MOIST
APPLY NON STICK STERILE PAD OVER
SECURE PAD TO SKIN WITH TAPE

6. LACERATION
CAUSED BY A TEARING MOTION RESULTING IN EDGES THAT ARE JAGGED
CAN BE MINOR OR VERY DEEP AND INVOLVE OTHER TISSUE
DEEP WOUNDS MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO NERVES, BLOOD VESSELS, MUSCLES, TENDONS, LIGAMENTS, AND BONE
DEEP LACERATIONS AFFECTING OTHER TISSUE WILL REQUIRE AN OPERATING ROOM TO REPAIR
TREATMENT:
CLEAN LACERATION WITH SOAP AND WATER
APPLY STERILE COMPRESSION DRESSING TO CONTROL BLEEDING
IF THE SIZE AND OR DEPTH OF THE WOUND REQUIRES STITCHES. SEND THE ATHLETE TO THE E.R.
STITCHES ARE NECESSARY WHEN THE EDGES OF THE LACERATION WILL NOT CLOSE, WHEN THE WOUND IS DEEP, OR WHEN THE LACERATION IS 1 TO 1 ½ INCHES LONG.
IN ADDITION TO STITCHES THE ATHLETE MAY NEED TO RECEIVE A TETANUS SHOT IF THE TETANUS IMMUNIZATION IS NOT UP TO DATE

8. PUNCTURE Caused when a pointed object directly pierces soft tissue
Most susceptible to infection
The location, the method of entry, and the type of puncturing object
Treatment:
Stabilize the object in place by taping it securely in place with minimal movement
Protruding objects are left in place and should not be removed until the athlete is evaluated by a doctor
evaluate the athlete for further injuries
Minor puncture wounds with no protruding object can be cleaned with soap and washed with water
Cover with sterile gauze and control any bleeding
Send the athlete to the e.r. for further evaluation and a tetanus shot if the tetanus immunization is not up to date

10. INCISION CAUSED BY A SHARP, KNIFE-LIKE OBJECT
USUALLY HAS CLEAN EDGES, BUT CAN BE VERY DEEP
A DEEP INCISION CAN CUT MUSCLES, TENDONS, LIGAMENTS, VEINS, ARTERIES, AND NERVES
TREATMENT:
CLEAN AREA WITH SOAP AND WATER
USE A STERILE COMPRESS TO CONTROL THE BLEEDING
SWAB THE EDGES WITH ANTIBACTERIAL OINTMENT
PULL THE EDGES TOGETHER WITH STERI-STRIPS
IF WOUND CONTINUES TO BLEED SEND ATHLETE TO THE E.R. FOR STITCHES AND/OR A TETANUS SHOT
STITCHES ARE NECESSARY WHEN THE EDGES OF THE LACERATION OR INCISION WILL NOT CLOSE, WHEN THE WOUND IS DEEP, OR WHEN THE LACERATION OR INCISION IS 1 TO 1 ½ INCHES LONG.
IN ADDITION TO STITCHES THE ATHLETE MAY NEED TO RECEIVE A TETANUS SHOT IF THE TETANUS IMMUNIZATION IS NOT UP TO DATE

12. AVULSION WHEN TISSUE IS LOST FROM THE BODY
IF THE TISSUE IS STILL ATTACHED IT IS CALL A FLAP AVULSION
TREATMENT:
CLEAN AREA WITH SOAP AND WATER
USE COMPRESSION WITH A STERILE DRESSING TO CONTROL AND STOP THE BLEEDING
THE AREA OF THE AVULSION SHOULD BE PROTECTED WITH A MOIST SALINE DRESSING
IF A LARGE FLAP OF TISSUE HAS BEEN TORN AWAY, EFFORTS SHOULD BE MADE TO LOCATE IT, BECAUSE SOME TISSUE CAN BE REATTACHED
WRAP TISSUE IN GAUZE THAT HAS BEEN MOISTENED WITH SALINE, SEAL THE TISSUE IN A PLASTIC BAG TO PREVENT DESTRUCTION OF THE TISSUE, PLACE THE BAG IN ICE.

14. CALLUS CAUSED FROM HIGH FRICTION OR INTERMITTENT PRESSURE ON THE SKIN
SKIN BECOMES THICKENED
TREATMENT:
STOP THE PROBLEM THAT IS CAUSING THE FRICTION
USE A PUMICE STONE TO FILE OFF THICK SKIN

16. BLISTERS CAUSED BY A BUILD UP OF FLUID UNDER THE SKIN TREATMENT:
IN RESPONSE TO FRICTION
TREATMENT:
CLEAN THE AREA WITH SOAP AND WATER
PLACE A DONUT PAD AROUND THE BLISTER TO DISPERSE THE PRESSURE
CHECK FOR AN INFECTION; IF THE BLISTER IS LARGE, RED, OR HOT
IF YOU FIND AN INFECTION, SEND THE ATHLETE TO A DOCTOR

18. HEMATOMAS
A HEMATOMA IS CAUSED BY CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE SOFT TISSUES SURROUNDING THE AREA, INCLUDING MUSCLES, BLOOD VESSELS, AND SKIN.
BRUISING MAY OCCUR
A HEMATOMA IS A CLOSED WOUND
THE DISCOLORATION OF THE SKIN IS CAUSED BY THE RUPTURED CAPILLARIES BLEEDING INTO THE TISSUE

19. TREATMENT FOR HEMATOMAS
IT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO CONTROL SWELLING FOR THE FIRST 48 TO 72 HOURS
ICE, COMPRESSION, AND ELEVATION (ICE)
ICE SHOULD BE LEFT ON FOR NO LONGER THAN 20 MINUTES; AND OFF FOR AT LEAST AN HOUR
COMPRESS THE INJURED AREA TO DECREASE SWELLING AND CONTROL INTERNAL BLEEDING
ELEVATE THE INJURED AREA TO DECREASE SWELLING AND CONTROL INTERNAL BLEEDING

21. CONTUSION
Caused from a sudden traumatic blow to the body, causing bleeding in the tissue that later lead to discoloration at the injury site
The severity is related to the amount of soft tissue crushed and the amount of force applied to the tissue
Mild contusion = point tenderness and local pain. Normal range of motion
Moderate contusion = swelling at the point of injury. Decreased range of motion
Severe contusion = marked tenderness and increased swelling. Decreased range of motion and inability to maneuver

22. TREATMENT FOR A CONTUSION
Use I.C.E.
lengthen the muscle to the greatest R.O.M with out pain; hold while ice
compress first with a elastic wrap to prevent blood from flowing into the tissue
Leave the compress on while you ice
Elevate injured area higher than the heart
Use a cloth measuring tape to keep track of the swelling (increase or decrease)
Use a donut pad to help distribute the force of a new blow, when the athlete returns to competition