The Concept of Sports Injury Injury continues to be unavoidable to a number of active individuals.

Definition of Sports Injury A single universal definition is unavailable Injuries are defined and described in terms of variables Body area involved Type of tissue involved Severity of damage Time lost to athlete/individual

Major Injury Categories Acute Injuries – characterized by a rapid onset, resulting from a traumatic event Significant traumatic event followed immediately by signs and symptoms such as Pain Swelling Loss of function

Major Injury Categories Chronic Injuries – characterized by a slow insidious onset implying a gradual development of structural damage This is not s single traumatic injury; rather they develop progressively over time Otherwise known as an overuse injury, common sites for Chronic Injuries are Achilles Tendon Patellar Tendon Rotator Cuff

Tissues Soft Tissue – muscles, fascia, tendons, joint capsules, ligaments, blood vessels and nerves Contusions (Bruises) Sprains (Ligaments/Capsules) Strains (Muscles/Tendons) Skeletal Tissue – any bony structure within the body

Major Injury Categories Catastrophic Injuries – those that involve damage to the brain or spinal cord and are potentially life threatening or permanent Direct Catastrophic Injury – incurs during participation which there is permanent severe functional neurological disability Indirect Catastrophic Injuries – systemic failure resulting from exertion while participation, or complication from a direct catastrophic injury

Athletic Trainers Speak Out “The proper management of acute sports injuries is paramount, especially during he first few minutes after the injury has occurred. The ability to properly treat an acute musculoskeletal strain or ligamentous sprain immediately following occurrence can aid in reducing the athletes recovery time and expedite the athletes return to play. In the case of a potentially catastrophic injury, the precise acute treatment can mean the difference between life and death for an injured athlete.” Bart Buxton, ATC, Ed.D.

Injury Classifications Sprains – injuries to ligaments, which surround all synovial joints within the body First-Degree – mildest form; mild pain and disability; little to no swelling Second-Degree – more damage to ligaments; increased pain and dysfunction; swelling will be more pronounced Often have a tendency to recur Third-Degree – most severe; imply a complete tear of ligaments; extensive damage, pain, swelling and hemorrhage will be significant

Injury Classifications Strains – injuries to muscles, tendons, or the junction between the two First-Degree – mildest form; pain during use; mild swelling and muscle spasm could be present Second-Degree – More extensive damage to soft tissue; more pronounced swelling, pain, and spasm; function loss will be moderate Associated with excessive forced stretching Third-Degree – complete rupture of soft tissue; a defect may be apparent through the skin Avulsion Fracture – when a fragment of bone attached to a tendon tears away from the main mass of bone Tissues between the tendons and muscles or within the muscle

Injury Classifications Contusions – common bruise; compression of the underlying tissue as well as the skin Most are minor but some could turn serious, even life threatening if the injury involves the tissues of major organs such as the kidneys or brain Pain, swelling, stiffness Ecchymosis – discoloration Hematoma – pooling of blood

Injury Classifications Stress Fracture – bone is subjected to overloading stress that exceeds the rate of recovery Take time to develop and sometimes can be confused with shin splints Most stress fractures occur in lower extremity bones Fracture – a break or crack in the bone; involving bones or joints Closed Fracture – bone ends not breaking the skin Compound Fracture – bone ends breaking through the skin surface Potentially more serious due to risk of infection related to the open wound Swelling Deformity Pain and Tenderness Loss of Use

Fractures

Injury Classifications Dislocations – displacement of bones compromising a joint Subluxation – when bones of a joint are only partially displaced Luxation – Bones of a joint are totally displaced All dislocations should be treated seriously and only a physician should reduce(put back in place) the dislocation