1. Common Injuries

2. Strains Occurs in muscles
Placing too much pressure on the muscle or overuse can cause a strain

3. Sprain Occurs in tendons and ligaments
When the joint is sent in a direction that is beyond it’s range of motion (ROM) and the tendon/ligament suffers a tear(s)

4. Separation
When a ligament between two bones tears, separating the joint but not displacing it

5. Dislocation
When you have a tear at the joint and the bones actually become displaced

6. Tendonitis
When the tendon becomes inflammed (red, sore, swollen, etc.)
Often due to overuse and friction

7. Initial Physical Signs of an Injury
Swelling Heat Altered function Redness Pain

8. First Response Evaluation
1. Questions
What is injured?
How did it happen?
Did you hear/ feel a pop or a crack?
(This could identify either a torn ligament or a fractured bone)
2. Pain perception and Movement
Palpate (apply slight pressure) to the injured area and the areas around it; gauge the injury based on the person’s reaction
Attempt to move the joint through its normal range of motion
The amount of movement will indicate the severity of the situation

9. Pressure Ice Elevation Rest First Response Cont’D
Once you have determined the severity of a situation, remove player from where the injury occurred, testing their ability to bear weight on the way to the bench/sideline
Apply your PIER principle to the injured area and recommend follow up appointments with physician or emergency department (depending on severity)
Pressure
Ice
Elevation
Rest

10. Concussions
Commonly referred to as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), Concussions are the shaking or jarring of the brain inside the skull
Caused by bump, blow or jolt to the head; can also be caused by a fall or blow to the body
One of the most severe injuries to deal with but by far the most interesting to examine
Severity determined by the number of symptoms present, the immediate/delayed orientation of the individual and their overall consciousness
SCAT 2 (Sport Concussion Assessment Tool) is going to be your assessment test for concussions

11. Spine and Neck Injuries
After step one (identifying where the injury has occurred), if the answer is Spine or Neck, call and then make the individual as comfortable as possible while stabilizing the neck
You do not want to move a spine or neck injury victim without knowing the mechanism and having the professional background of a paramedic, doctor or sometimes, a sport/athletic therapist
 LAWSUIT!
Victims will often be fitted for a neck collar and boarded onto a spine board until x-rays can be taken

12. Arthroscopic Surgery
This is a much less invasive surgery that is used to repair bone and tissue damage in joints such as the knee or the shoulder
The most popular form of ACL reconstructive surgery or to repair a torn meniscus
Fewer incisions and a faster recovering period
Involves: The arthroscope (camera and light sources throughout the surgery)
Micro-instruments such as scissors, graspers, shavers and suture needles
The cannula which is a tube-like instrument used to remove or deliver fluid

13. Myths Apply ice! No wait, heat! No… ice! No… heat
The use of ice is going to for injured or painful areas within 48 hours of an injury
Apply with compression for period of minutes on and 1 hour-1.5hr off
After three or four days, if the injury and swelling doesn’t subside, attack the area with hot and cold baths or compressions
Heat is best used to loosen tight muscles
When in doubt, go with ice
Keeping the shoe on
This is important if you do not have access to compression devices or ice immediately. If both are available, remove the shoe and apply ice and compression right away