1. Unit 11, Part A Wound Dressing and Bandaging
Sports Medicine
Unit 11, Part A
Wound Dressing and Bandaging

2. Caring for Skin Wounds Skin wounds are extremely common in sports
Soft pliable nature of skin makes it susceptible to injury
Numerous mechanical forces can result in trauma
Friction, scrapping, pressure, tearing, cutting and penetration

3. WOUND DRESSINGS Definitions
A bandage is a strip of cloth or other material used to hold a dressing in place
A dressing is a material, such as gauze, that is applied directly to a wound

4. WOUND DRESSINGS
A bandage, when properly applied, can contribute greatly to the healing process
When improperly applied it can…
Cause discomfort
Allow wound contamination
Hamper wound healing

5. WOUND DRESSINGS In ALL cases bandages must be firmly applied.
Care should be taken not to hamper circulation by applying too tightly or allowing the dressing to move by applying too loosely

6. WOUND DRESSINGS
As we have already learned, skin lesions are very common in sports
It is important that these wounds be cared for immediately
All wounds, even minor ones, should be considered to be contaminated

7. WOUND DRESSINGS The wound must be cleansed, medicated, and dressed
Dressings require a sterile environment to prevent infections

8. WOUND DESCRIPTONS
Since we have already discussed these earlier, just be reminded of the wound types most often dealt with in sports medicine…
Abrasions
Puncture Wounds
Lacerations
Incisions
Avulsions

9. Types of wounds Abrasions Skin scraped against rough surface
Top layer of skin wears away exposing numerous capillaries
Often involves exposure to dirt and foreign materials = increased risk for infection
Laceration
Sharp or pointed object tears tissues – results in wound with jagged edges
May also result in tissue avulsion
Incision
Wounds with smooth edges

10. Puncture wounds
Can easily occur during activity and can be fatal
Penetration of tissue can result in introduction of tetanus bacillus to bloodstream
All severe lacerations and puncture wounds should be referred to a physician
Avulsion wounds
Skin is torn from body = major bleeding
Place avulsed tissue in moist gauze (saline), plastic bag and immerse in cold water
Take to hospital for reattachment

11. Immediate Care Should be cared for immediately
All wounds should be treated as though they have been contaminated with microorganisms
To minimize infection clean wound with copious amounts of soap, water and sterile solution
Avoid hydrogen peroxide and bacterial solutions initially

13. Are sutures necessary?
Deep lacerations, incisions and occasionally punctures will require some form of manual closure
Decision should be made by a physician
Sutures should be used within 12 hours
Area of injury and limitations of blood supply for healing will determine materials used for closure
Physician may decide wound does not require sutures and utilize steri-strips or butterfly bandages

14. TETANUS
Tetanus (aka “Lockjaw”) is an acute disease causing fever and convulsions
Tetanus bacteria enters the body as a spore and attacks the CNS
Most people are immunized against tetanus in childhood
After 10 years, a booster should be taken

15. TETANUS
If there has never been a tetanus immunization, then one should be given at the time of injury
If there was an immunization, but no recent booster, then one should be given

16. Wound Care Materials Gauze Used in 3 forms Sterile pads for wounds
Non-sterile pads for padding
Roller bandage to hold and compress dressings

17. Wound Care Materials Cotton cloth Elastic roller bandages
Used primarily for ankle wraps and triangular bandages
Elastic roller bandages
Can be used for wounds, but used more often for muscular support

18. Wound Care Materials Plastics
Playing an increasingly important role in sports medicine
Come in a number of forms…
Aerosol sprays to protect wounds
Adhesive tapes
Plastic coated gauze pads (commonly known as “Telfa Pads”)
Plastics are useful because they can hold in or keep out moisture, provide insulation, and prevent infection

19. Wound Care Materials Wound cleansers Hydrogen peroxide
not highly recommended anymore because it can damage living tissues
Povidone-Iodine
More commonly referred to as Betadine or Beta Scrubs
Good ol’ soap and water

20. Wound Care Materials Cotton tipped applicators & tongue depressors
Used to apply medications, clean wounds, etc.
Adhesive strips
“Bandaids”
Come in numerous sizes and styles

21. Wound Care Materials Medications Steristrips 1st Aid creams
Bacitracin/Triple Antibiotics
Strawberry ointment
Steristrips
Used to close a wound, or hold a wound closed after stitches are removed
Also known as a “butterfly closures”

22. Wound Care Materials Tincture of Benzoin Compound Cover strips
A sterile adhesive liquid often used in combination with steristrips or other dressings to hold them in place
Cover strips
Adhesive gauze material now being used to help protect skin wounds and abrasions from being further injured during games/practices

23. The 8 Basic Uses for Dressings and Bandages
Protect wounds from infection
Protect wounds from further injury and contamination
Control external and internal bleeding
Act as a compress over exposed and unexposed injuries
Immobilize and injured part
Protect an unexposed injury
Support an injured part
Hold protective equipment in place

24. Common Types of Bandages Used in Sports Medicine
Roller bandages
Made of many materials such as gauze, cotton cloth, and elastic wrapping
Width and length may vary depending on the use
Most frequent sizes include lengths of 6-10 yards
Common widths are 2”, 3”, 4”, and 6”
The size of the wrap used is determined by the body part that you are wrapping