QKU 3073

Sports Injuries
Classifications and treatment

Learning out comes

How to classify injuries as chronic or acute
How to classify injuries as soft tissue or hard tissue
Different types of skin damage cuts, grazes, blisters and
chafing
The causes and treatment of strains, sprains, dislocations and
torn cartilage
How to identify and treat fractures
The treatment of injuries R.I.C.E.
The causes and treatment of unconsciousness D.R.A.B.C.,
resuscitation and the recovery position
The causes and treatment of concussion, dehydration and
hypothermia.

Injuries

Classification of sports
injury
Injuries can be classed as
chronic or acute.
Chronic injuries are caused by
continuous stress on a body
part over a long time.
Here are some common chronic
injuries:
tennis elbow
golfers elbow
shin splints.

Chronic injuries can be caused

by training too hard, not
allowing time for recovery, poor
footwear and bad technique.

Chronic injuries: tennis and golf

elbow
Overuse injuries can occur due to repeated
powerful muscle movements.
Golf and tennis put a lot of strain on the elbow.
In golf and tennis elbow, the tendons that attach
muscles to the elbow joint become inflamed, sore
and painful.
These injuries should be treated by applying an
icepack and resting for several weeks.
Physiotherapy treatment may be needed and
possibly cortisone (steroid) injections to relieve the
pain.

Chronic injuries: shin splints

Shin splints are pains in the
lower
leg,
caused
by
continuous stress over a long
period of time.
Either the tendons around the
tibia become inflamed, or
stress fractures develop
these are cracks along the
length of the bone.
Shin splints should be treated
with ice and plenty of rest.
Cushioned
footwear
and
special insoles can help to
prevent the injury returning.

Acute injuries
Acute injuries occur
when there is sudden
stress on the body.
There are three main
causes:
Collisions with opponents
or obstacles.
Being struck by an
object.
Falling from a height or
at speed.

Hard and soft tissue injuries

Hard tissue injuries are

bone injuries.

Soft tissue injuries involve damage to

skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments or
cartilage.

Soft tissue injuries

Soft tissue injuries can be
open or closed
An open injury means that
the skin has been broken
blood usually escapes.
Open injuries include cuts,
grazes, blisters and chafing
A closed injury occurs
beneath the skin there is
no external bleeding.
Closed injuries include
bruising, pulls, strains and
sprains.

Soft-tissue injury
Soft-tissue injuries are the most common
injuries resulting from participation in sport.
They include the following:
skin injuriesabrasions, lacerations and
blisters
muscle injuriestears or strains of muscle
fibres and contusions
tendon injuriestears or strains of tendon
fibres and inflammation (tendonitis)
ligament injuriessprains and tears of ligament

Open injuries: cuts and

grazes
Cuts require immediate
attention to stop bleeding and
allow the blood to clot.
After the cut is cleaned,
plasters and dressings can be
used to control bleeding and
protect the wound.
Deep cuts may need stitches
to hold the skin together.
Grazes or abrasions where
skin is scraped off the body,
need to be cleaned carefully.
Grazes that result from falls
can often contain dirt and grit.

blisters and chafing

Blisters are caused by the skin rubbing on other
surfaces.
They most commonly occur on the feet, due to illfitting shoes, and on the hands, due to excessive wear
and tear (e.g. from rowing and archery).
A bubble of liquid forms just under
the skin to protect the area while new
skin is grown underneath. Never burst the bubble, as
the blister may then become infected.
Chafing is caused by ill-fitting clothing or material.
Long-distance runners are particularly prone to chafing
in areas like the armpits, where clothing may rub.

Closed injuries
Bruises occur when small blood vessels are damaged
by an impact or sudden wrenching movement.
This causes bleeding beneath the skin, leading to
swelling and discolouration.
Strained (pulled) muscles result from muscles being
suddenly and forcefully overstretched.
This tears the muscle fibres, usually where they
attach to the tendon. The muscle is painful and its
strength is reduced.
Bruises and strains should be treated with ice to
reduce the swelling.

Sprain
Sprains are different to strains
they involve ligaments rather
than muscles and tendons.
Sprains occur when ligaments at
joints get stretched and torn. A
sharp twist of the foot can give
you a sprained or twisted ankle.
Severe sprains result in torn
ligaments.
Sprains are more serious than
strains, and result in considerable
pain and loss of function at the
joint. The symptoms are similar
to a fracture or dislocation.
Sprains should be treated with
ice and rest.

Dislocation

A dislocation occurs when a

bone is pulled or twisted out
of place at a joint.

When the shoulder is

dislocated, the humerus is
pulled out of the socket on the
scapula.

The injured person is usually

unable to move their arm, and
the shoulder loses its rounded
shape.
Dislocations are very painful.
They require hospital
treatment to move the bone
back into position.
The ligaments and tissue
around the joint can take a
long time to recover.

Cartilage tear of the knee

Cartilage aids friction free

movement at the knee
joint and provides some
shock absorption.

Cartilage can tear if the

knee is twisted excessively.
This is a common football
injury, caused when
players change direction
quickly.
A cartilage tear is a serious
injury. The knee will be
painful, may lock and will
swell.
An icepack can reduce
swelling, but surgery is

cartilage

Hard-tissue injuries
Types of hardtissue injuries
Hard-tissue injuries
include fractures
and dislocations.

Fractures
Fractures can be open (simple) or closed (compound).

A simple or closed
fracture means that the
bone is cracked but the
skin is not broken.

A compound or open
fracture means that the
skin is broken and the
bone is sticking out.

Open fractures are more serious.

They usually involve blood loss.

Fractures

fracture is a break in a bone. This can result from a

direct force, an indirect force or repetitive smaller
impacts (as occurs in a stress fracture).
In some cases, a simple fracture can be difficult to
detect. The signs and symptoms of a fracture include:
pain at the site of the injury
inability to move the injured part
unnatural movement of the injured part
deformity of the injured part
swelling and discolouration
grating of bones.

Fractures
Fractures
are
usually
caused
by
violent
impacts. They are most common in contact
sports like rugby, and sports where there is
a risk of falling from height or at speed, for
example, horse riding, skiing and climbing.
Fractures
are
difficult
to
prevent
as
they
are
caused
by
sudden
and
unexpected
events or accidents. Using correct technique and playing
by the rules can reduce the risks to some extent.
Fractures should be treated by immobilizing the injured
area with a splint or sling and controlling any bleeding with
a dressing. The casualty should not be moved until the
ambulance arrives, unless absolutely necessary.

R.I.C.E.
Whenever there is any injury
to bones, joints, ligaments
muscles or tendons, blood
vessels will be damaged.
Broken blood vessels mean
that blood leaks into tissues
around the injury. This will
lead to swelling, bruising and
pain.
To combat the effects of this,
you should follow the R.I.C.E
method of treatment:

R Rest
I

Ice

C Compression
E Elevation

Unconsciousness
1.Fainting common fainting is a temporary abnormality in
blood flow to the brain. It can be caused by stress, heat or
physical exertion.
2.Head injury any blow to the head can cause
unconsciousness, whether it damages the skull or not.
3.Heart attack or stroke this can interrupt blood flow to
the brain.
4.Asphyxia breathing is obstructed, for example if the
person has inhaled water.
5.Shock caused by blood loss, infection or heart
problems.

D.R.A.B.C.

Dangers
Response
Air
Breathing
Circulation

Resuscitation
If an unconscious casualty is not breathing, rescue
breaths (or mouth-to-mouth resuscitation) can be
used
This involves the rescuer repeatedly blowing air
into the mouth of the casualty to inflate and deflate
their lungs. This allows some oxygen into the body.
If a casualty has no pulse, chest compressions can
be used
The rescuer pushes down firmly and repeatedly on
the casualtys chest, mimicking the action of the
heart and circulating some blood around the body.

The recovery position

An unconscious casualty who is
breathing and has no life-threatening
conditions should be placed in the
recovery position.
This keeps the airway open and
prevents them swallowing their own
tongue or choking on vomit.

Concussion
Concussion is a common cause of
unconsciousness while playing
sport.
Concussion occurs when an
individual has received a blow to
the head, causing an injury to the
brain. This could be caused by
falling or being hit by something or
someone.
A person may be concussed
without losing consciousness. The
signs can include disorientation,
loss of vision, vomiting, paleness,
a racing pulse and shallow
breathing.
Concussion should be treated at
hospital.

Dehydration

When we exercise, especially

in
hot conditions, the body loses
water as a result of sweating.
If the performer does not rehydrate by drinking lots of
water, they may suffer from
dehydration.
The body also loses important
electrolytes salts which
conduct nerve impulses and
maintain cell metabolism.
This results in the performer
feeling very tired, nauseous
and faint.
The performer should stop
exercising and re-hydrate
somewhere cool.

Hypothermia

Normal body temperature is

37C.
If a performers body
temperature falls below 35C,
they begin to suffer from
hypothermia.
People who take part in
activities in mountainous
areas or on water are
particularly at risk.
Common symptoms of
hypothermia are shivering,
paleness, loss of dexterity and
erratic behaviour.
A hypothermic person should
be warmed-up gradually.
They need warm, dry clothing,
warm drinks and high energy