Sports Injuries Lab Day

Questions to ask What happened? (this helps to determine if the injury is acute or chronic)‏ Where does it hurt? Scale from 1 to 10 of intensity of pain Have you done this before?

Possible Shoulder Injuries - Dislocation Acute – fell on shoulder, external force while shoulder was abducted, externally rotated, and hyperextended Head of humerus is forced out of glenoid fossa Signs/Symptoms: tenderness, athlete felt shoulder “slip out of place”, pain can be felt around the deltoid tuberosity

Ouch

Immediate Treatment PIER Sling – immobilize in the position the athlete was found in (most comfortable)‏ Dislocation requires medical attention to get it put back in place

Long Term Care Rest Physiotherapy Strenghening of rotator cuff muscles 4-6 months before they can return to play

Separation Acute: Clavicle has become separated from the acromion 65% of all shoulder injuries in NHL Signs/Symptoms: tenderness, weakness on resisted abduction while in a cross-flexed position (palm on opposite shoulder)‏

Immediate Treatment PIER Support ligament with a sling or tensor Can use stretch tape to pull clavicle down

Long Term Care Strengthen upper trapezius and deltoid May need surgery but there has been little success Educate – if injured playing a contact sport, learn how to take a hit

Tendinitis Chronic – overuse injury Inflammation of biceps brachii tendon Signs/Symptoms: pain at the proximal end of the biceps, elbow flexion may be painful

Immediate Treatment PIER Use ice to bring inflammation down Stop activities that are causing pain

Long Term Care Strengthen rotator cuff muscles Eccentric stretching Biomechanical corrections

Rotator Cuff Tear Could be chronic or acute Involves one or all four SITS muscles Signs/Symptoms: difficulty with abduction, lateral, and medial rotation of the shoulder

Immediate Treatment PIER Refrain from activities that are causing pain

Long Term Care Strengthen rotator cuff muscles Surgical intervention: cut coracoacromial ligament or surgically repair the tear

Knee Injuries – ACL tear ACL = anterior cruciate ligament Acute: Many different ways to injure Most common: rapid rotation of the lower leg e.g. Making a cut in football or basketball Signs/Symptoms: a “pop” sound, knee may feel “dislocated”, tight hamstrings (they protect the ACL)‏

Immediate Treatment PIER Crutches Immobilizing splint

Long Term Care Surgery Brace support for one year + Proprioception training for muscle recruitment

Patellofemoral Syndrome Chronic – uneven tracking of the patella on the femur Aggravated by sports like running, volleyball, and basketball Signs/Symptoms: grinding sensation when flexing/extending the knee, pain around patella

Immediate Treatment PIER Find mechanical cause and correct it – weak hip abductors, tight ITB, tight quads

Long Term Care Neoprene sleeve to assist tracking Stretching Strengthen certain quad muscles (vastus medialis)‏ Loosen ITB – massage, physical manipulation

Ankle Injuries – Inversion and Eversion Sprains Acute: rolling over your ankle (inversion), sole of the foot forcibly turned outward (eversion)‏ Signs/Symptoms: pain on reproducing inversion/eversion or might have heard a tearing or popping sound

Immediate Treatment Ice Tape Elevation Pressure Crutches

Long Term Care Rest Air-cast Rehabilitation exercises: wobble board, standing balance (with closed eyes), walking from one uneven surface to another

Why tape an injury? To prevent further injury To manage an acute injury (support and pressure)‏ Allow the athlete to return to sport (if injury is mild enough)‏