Recognition, Evaluation & Management of Athletic Injuries Sports Medicine I

Recognition of Injuries Primary function of an athletic trainer is to recognize when an injury has occurred Primary function of an athletic trainer is to recognize when an injury has occurred Major Considerations Major Considerations –Control life threatening conditions –Manage non-life threatening injuries

Referrals Immediate referral for Immediate referral for –Not breathing –Severe bleeding –Unconsciousness –Paralysis –Circulation or neruological impairment –Shock –Obvious deformity –Vertebral injury –Doubt about severity of injury

First Aid Emergency Care American Red Cross and American Heart Association have established protocols American Red Cross and American Heart Association have established protocols ATC should maintain ATC should maintain –CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) –AED (Automated External Defibrillator)

Emergency Transportation Never transport an injured athlete in personal vehicle b/c of liability issues Never transport an injured athlete in personal vehicle b/c of liability issues EMTs are skilled professionals who provide advanced medical care and transport injured patients EMTs are skilled professionals who provide advanced medical care and transport injured patients

Emergency Transportation Cont. EMS should be present or on call for athletic events EMS should be present or on call for athletic events EMS is at ALL football games!! EMS is at ALL football games!! Once EMS responds to emergency, ATC is no longer in charge Once EMS responds to emergency, ATC is no longer in charge

Transportation Options for ATC Ambulatory Aid Ambulatory Aid Manual Conveyance Manual Conveyance

Evaluating Life Threatening Injuries Survey the Scene Survey the Scene Primary Survey Primary Survey –Airway –Breathing –Circulation

Evaluating Life Threatening Injuries Primary Survey Primary Survey –Be calm and reassuring –Be prepared to clear and maintain airway –Be prepared to provide artificial ventilation or CPT –Be prepared to activate EMS

Evaluating Life Threatening Injuries Determine the athlete's condition is non-life threatening, perform secondary survey Determine the athlete's condition is non-life threatening, perform secondary survey Consists of Consists of –History –Physical Examination

History Questions Questions –MOI (Mechanism of injury) –Onset of symptoms –Location of injury –Quantity and quality of pain –Type and location of abnormal sensations –Progression of signs and symptoms –Activities that make symptoms better or worse –Nausea –Weakness –Dyspnea (Shortness of breath)

Physical Examination May vary from athlete to athlete May vary from athlete to athlete Physical activity and exercise may cause this variance Physical activity and exercise may cause this variance Must evaluate Vitals Must evaluate Vitals –Nerve response –BP –Movement –Pulse –Respiration –Skin color –State of consciousness –temperature