1. Unit 5.1 Specific injuries
Head & Neck
Unit 5.1 Specific injuries

2. Anatomy of the head & neck - bones
Cranium – protects brain.
Frontal
Parietal (2)
Occipital
Temporal (2)
Facial
Mandible
Maxille (2)
Zygomatic (2)
Nasal

3. Anatomy of the head & neck - bones

4. Anatomy of the head & neck - bones
Cervical Vertebrae

5. Anatomy of the head & neck - Muscles
Location
Function
Sternocleidomastoid
Anterior aspect of the neck
Flex neck; rotate the head
Trapezius
Posterior aspect of the neck
Extends neck; adducts scapula

6. Anatomy of the head & neck – Soft Tissues
Brain
Cerebrum – higher thought processes
Cerebellum – balance and coordinated movement
Brainstem – vital body functions

8. Anatomy of the head & neck – soft tissues
Meninges- layers of tissue that surround brain and spinal cord. Has areas of space between each layer
DURA MATER- outer layer made up of arteries and veins
SUBDRUAL SPACE
ARACHNOID LAYER- spider web of veins
SUBARACHNOID SPACE- contains CSF
PIA MATER- inner layer lines brain and spinal cord
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) - protects, cushions and nourishes the central nervous system.

9. Anatomy of the head & neck – soft tissues

10. Anatomy of the head & neck – soft tissues
Intervertebral Disks
Cartilagenous discs that lie between the vertebrae.
Act as shock absorbers of the spine.

11. Anatomy of the head & neck - Nerves
Cranial nerves
12 pair that branch off of the brain
Spinal Nerves; nerve root pairs that branch off the spinal cord.
Brachial Plexus (C5-T1) – bundle of spinal nerves that innervate the shoulder and arm muscles

13. Common Injuries – Head/Neck
Concussions
Characterized by immediate and transient post-traumatic impairment of neural function
Mechanism of Injury
Result of direct blow to the head from either a fixed or moving object.
Signs of Injury
Headache
Loss of consciousness
Tinnitus
Nausea
Irritability
Confusion
Disorientation
Dizziness
Amnesia
Concentration difficulty
Photophobia
Sleep disturbances
Vision disturbances
Balance disturbances

14. Common Injuries – Head/Neck
Concussions
Assessment/Grading:
Currently there is debate on whether to or when to grade levels of concussion. Resolution of symptoms should be the focus, rather than the grade of injury.

15. Common Injuries – Head/Neck
If it is decided by the health care professional to grade the injury, the following system is recommended:
Concussion Grading System – Cantu 2001
Grade I (mild)
Grade II (moderate)
Grade III (severe)
No loss of consciousness; amnesia lasting less than 30 minutes; other signs/symptoms last less than 24 hours
Loss of consciousness less than 1 minute or amnesia lasting more than 30 minutes but less than 24 hours or other signs/symptoms lasting more than 24 hours but less than 7 days
Loss of consciousness more than 1 minute or amnesia lasting more than 24 hours or other symptoms lasting more than 7 days

16. Common Injuries – Head/Neck
Treatment:
Careful removal from play
Thorough physical and neurological examination
Refer to physician for follow-up examination

17. Common Injuries – Head/Neck
Return to Play is dependent on the following:
Physician recommendation
Frequency of concussion
Severity of concussion
Length of time athlete is asymptomatic
Prevention strategies
Protective equipment
Helmet
Mouthguard
Proper skill technique
Following rules of the sport

18. Common Injuries – Head/Neck
Postconcussion Syndrome
Persistent symptoms following concussion - May begin immediately following injury and may last for weeks to months
Persistent headache
Impaired memory
Lack of concentration
Anxiety
Irritability
Fatigue
Depression
Continued visual disturbances
Treatment – No clear guidelines
Treat symptoms to greatest extent possible
Return athlete to play when all signs and symptoms have fully resolved

19. Common Injuries – Head/Neck
Second Impact Syndrome
Rapid swelling of the brain from additional head trauma; life threatening
Second impact could be minor
Could be caused by blow to chest that accelerates head.
Signs and Symptoms
No initial loss of consciousness
Rapid worsening leading to:
LOC progressing to coma
Dilated pupils
Loss of eye movement
Respiratory failure
Treatment: Immediate transport to medical facility
Prevention
DO NOT LET THIS SITUATION OCCUR!
Careful decision making regarding return to play following initial head trauma