SOFT TISSUE INJURIES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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