HSC Option 3: Sports Medicine
Ways to classify sports injuries
How are sports ⇾ direct and indirect
injuries classified ⇾ soft and hard tissue
and managed? ⇾ overuse
Type What is it
Direct ⇾ Sustained at the site of external force
- Fractures, bruises, broken bones, dislocations, abrasions, blisters
- E.g. the boxer fractured his cheekbone when punched
Indirect ⇾ Cause by an intrinsic force (force inside the body) or a extreme contraction of a muscle
- Occur as a result of inadequate warm up, ballistic movements, excessive movement or a fault in the execution of the skill
- They are the result of excessive strain being placed on the muscles, tendons, ligaments,causing irritation and possible
damage to body structures
- E.g. A sprinter tears there hamstring when sprinting or a volleyball player causing stress to ligaments in the knee joint
Soft Tissue ⇾ Injuries are classified as soft tissue injuries if they occur in any of the body's soft tissues
- Soft tissues include muscles, ligaments, tendons, skin, organs, cartilage, blood vessels and nerves
- They can be acute or chronic
- Acute soft tissue injuries:
- Sprains, strains, dislocation, subluxation (partial dislocation of a joint or organ), torn cartilage, abrasions and
contusions
- Chronic soft tissue injuries:
- same types of injury, but their severity necessitates a long rehabilitation
Hard Tissue ⇾ Damage to bones and teeth
- E.g Dislodging a tooth, fracturing a bone
Overuse ⇾ Occur as a result of repetitive, low impact movement over time
- Cause pain and inflammation around the site of the injury, discomfort and tissue damage
- Result of high training volume and intensity, high training frequency, inadequate warm ups, poor technique, etc
, - E.g. shin splints, tendonitis, stress fractures
Acute and Chronic Injuries:
Acute Chronic
↳ Injuries which have a rapid onset, usually occurring during movement ↳ Injuries which occur over time and are more common as one ages
↠ sprains ↠ Tennis elbow, shin splints
Soft tissue injuries
Soft tissue injuries are injuries to any of the body's tissues other than bones or teeth. These injuries stimulate the body's inflammatory response, which can result
in even more damage to the body if not treated with RICER.
⇾ tears, sprains, contusions
Strain/Tear Sprain Contusion
⇾ A strain is a tear in a muscle ⇾ A sprain is a tear that occurs to a ligament ⇾ A contusion is when capillaries are
- Occurs when a muscle or tendon is (joining bone to bone around joints). ruptured due to an external force, causing
stretched or torn - Ligaments: strong, rigid, inelastic internal bleeding.
- Caused by internal forces, poor tissue that connects bone to bone - Can results in bruises
technique or overuse - Caused by an external force being - Some are superficial (close to the
⇾ Grade 1 tear/strain is a small tear to the transferred through the body to the skin), others penetrate deeply,
muscle. other side of a joint causing bone to bruise
⇾ Grade 2 tear/strain is a much larger tear - Always caused by a joint being
around 50% or more torn. bent in a direction its not supposed
⇾ Grade 3 tear/strain refers to a complete to
tear, so that surgery is needed to join the ⇾ Grade1: stretching or small tears
muscle back together. ⇾ Grade 2: larger but incomplete tear
⇾ Grade 3: Complete tear needing surgery to
fix
⇾ skin abrasions, lacerations, blisters
, Skin Abrasions Lacerations Blisters
⇾ Scraping or wearing away of the skin ⇾ Deep cut or tear the skin, resulting from ⇾ Caused by friction or burning that leads to
(Graze) contact with a sharp device a build up of serum in the skin.
⇾ Not usually very deep ⇾ treatment: manage bleeding, applying ⇾ Often blisters are caused by equipment
⇾ treatment: to clean the wound, washing it pressure to the area. Depending on the such as a tennis racquet or soccer boot.
with a disinfectant and then covering it severity of the laceration, medication ⇾ The treatment for a blister is to cover it
with a non-stick dressing. attention and stitches or surgery may be with padding, often in the form of a
⇾ E.g grazed knee from a slide tackle in needed. For self-managed lacerations, Band-Aid and remove the object causing
soccer. cleaning the wound and applying a the friction/burning. Do not pop the blister,
non-stick dressing with pressure to control but allow it to heal.
bleeding is usual. If bleeding does not stop
quickly, ice can be used, and medical
treatment is needed.
⇾ Inflammatory response
Self healing process that occurs after soft tissue is injured and inflamed
Stage What happens? How long does it last?
Phase 1 - Inflammatory ⇾ Inflammation is fast and painful ⇾ lasts 48-72 hrs (2-3
⇾ This phase involves the vasodilation of blood vessels, and the transfer of fluid into days)
the surrounding tissue ⇾ RICER is most
⇾ Pain, redness and swelling important.
⇾ Loss of function and mobility
⇾ Damage to cells in surrounding tissue
Phase 2 - Repair and ⇾ body begins to fix the damaged or injured site ⇾ This phase extends from
regenerative ⇾ white blood cells (leukocytes) clean up the debris from the injury and new body 3 days to up to 6 weeks.
tissue begins to be formed
⇾ produces scar tissue in the repair of the injury
Phase 3 - remodelling ⇾ more scar tissue is produced during this phase of the inflammatory response ⇾ can last many months.
, ⇾ new functional body tissue is developed and strengthened which can replace scar ⇾ An athlete will not be
tissue if proper treatment is sought from health professionals. back to full health until
⇾ During this phase of the inflammatory response the balance of exercise and rest is this phase is completed
important as too much exercise will cause further injury, but not enough exercise (though they often have
will result in too much weak scar tissue. already returned to
play).
Management of soft tissue injuries:
Why How Time
R - Rest To reduce bleeding and prevent further Place in a comfortable position with the Until beginning a program of careful
injury. injury elevated and supported mobilisation
I - Ice To reduce: ⇾ Crush ice in a wet towel and wrap 20 minutes every hour for the first 36 - 72
⇾ Bleeding around the injury hours
⇾ Swelling ⇾ Apply frozen gel packs
⇾ Pain
⇾ Blood flow
C - Compression Decrease swelling and bleeding Wrap an elastic bandage over the injured At the time of the injury
area, covering both above and below the
site
E - Elevation To reduce the volume of pressure and Elevate the injured site above the level of 20-30 minutes every 2 hours
blood flow to the injury and reduce the heart
swelling.
R - Referral Ascertain the full extent of the injury Medical assessment should be sought As soon as possible
Hard tissue injuries
- Hard tissue injuries include fractures, dislocations and loss of teeth, or any injury to the skeletal system.
- A fracture is the technical term for a broken bone and there are various types of fracture with various degrees of complication. The other main hard tissue
injury is a dislocation.
Ways to classify sports injuries
How are sports ⇾ direct and indirect
injuries classified ⇾ soft and hard tissue
and managed? ⇾ overuse
Type What is it
Direct ⇾ Sustained at the site of external force
- Fractures, bruises, broken bones, dislocations, abrasions, blisters
- E.g. the boxer fractured his cheekbone when punched
Indirect ⇾ Cause by an intrinsic force (force inside the body) or a extreme contraction of a muscle
- Occur as a result of inadequate warm up, ballistic movements, excessive movement or a fault in the execution of the skill
- They are the result of excessive strain being placed on the muscles, tendons, ligaments,causing irritation and possible
damage to body structures
- E.g. A sprinter tears there hamstring when sprinting or a volleyball player causing stress to ligaments in the knee joint
Soft Tissue ⇾ Injuries are classified as soft tissue injuries if they occur in any of the body's soft tissues
- Soft tissues include muscles, ligaments, tendons, skin, organs, cartilage, blood vessels and nerves
- They can be acute or chronic
- Acute soft tissue injuries:
- Sprains, strains, dislocation, subluxation (partial dislocation of a joint or organ), torn cartilage, abrasions and
contusions
- Chronic soft tissue injuries:
- same types of injury, but their severity necessitates a long rehabilitation
Hard Tissue ⇾ Damage to bones and teeth
- E.g Dislodging a tooth, fracturing a bone
Overuse ⇾ Occur as a result of repetitive, low impact movement over time
- Cause pain and inflammation around the site of the injury, discomfort and tissue damage
- Result of high training volume and intensity, high training frequency, inadequate warm ups, poor technique, etc
, - E.g. shin splints, tendonitis, stress fractures
Acute and Chronic Injuries:
Acute Chronic
↳ Injuries which have a rapid onset, usually occurring during movement ↳ Injuries which occur over time and are more common as one ages
↠ sprains ↠ Tennis elbow, shin splints
Soft tissue injuries
Soft tissue injuries are injuries to any of the body's tissues other than bones or teeth. These injuries stimulate the body's inflammatory response, which can result
in even more damage to the body if not treated with RICER.
⇾ tears, sprains, contusions
Strain/Tear Sprain Contusion
⇾ A strain is a tear in a muscle ⇾ A sprain is a tear that occurs to a ligament ⇾ A contusion is when capillaries are
- Occurs when a muscle or tendon is (joining bone to bone around joints). ruptured due to an external force, causing
stretched or torn - Ligaments: strong, rigid, inelastic internal bleeding.
- Caused by internal forces, poor tissue that connects bone to bone - Can results in bruises
technique or overuse - Caused by an external force being - Some are superficial (close to the
⇾ Grade 1 tear/strain is a small tear to the transferred through the body to the skin), others penetrate deeply,
muscle. other side of a joint causing bone to bruise
⇾ Grade 2 tear/strain is a much larger tear - Always caused by a joint being
around 50% or more torn. bent in a direction its not supposed
⇾ Grade 3 tear/strain refers to a complete to
tear, so that surgery is needed to join the ⇾ Grade1: stretching or small tears
muscle back together. ⇾ Grade 2: larger but incomplete tear
⇾ Grade 3: Complete tear needing surgery to
fix
⇾ skin abrasions, lacerations, blisters
, Skin Abrasions Lacerations Blisters
⇾ Scraping or wearing away of the skin ⇾ Deep cut or tear the skin, resulting from ⇾ Caused by friction or burning that leads to
(Graze) contact with a sharp device a build up of serum in the skin.
⇾ Not usually very deep ⇾ treatment: manage bleeding, applying ⇾ Often blisters are caused by equipment
⇾ treatment: to clean the wound, washing it pressure to the area. Depending on the such as a tennis racquet or soccer boot.
with a disinfectant and then covering it severity of the laceration, medication ⇾ The treatment for a blister is to cover it
with a non-stick dressing. attention and stitches or surgery may be with padding, often in the form of a
⇾ E.g grazed knee from a slide tackle in needed. For self-managed lacerations, Band-Aid and remove the object causing
soccer. cleaning the wound and applying a the friction/burning. Do not pop the blister,
non-stick dressing with pressure to control but allow it to heal.
bleeding is usual. If bleeding does not stop
quickly, ice can be used, and medical
treatment is needed.
⇾ Inflammatory response
Self healing process that occurs after soft tissue is injured and inflamed
Stage What happens? How long does it last?
Phase 1 - Inflammatory ⇾ Inflammation is fast and painful ⇾ lasts 48-72 hrs (2-3
⇾ This phase involves the vasodilation of blood vessels, and the transfer of fluid into days)
the surrounding tissue ⇾ RICER is most
⇾ Pain, redness and swelling important.
⇾ Loss of function and mobility
⇾ Damage to cells in surrounding tissue
Phase 2 - Repair and ⇾ body begins to fix the damaged or injured site ⇾ This phase extends from
regenerative ⇾ white blood cells (leukocytes) clean up the debris from the injury and new body 3 days to up to 6 weeks.
tissue begins to be formed
⇾ produces scar tissue in the repair of the injury
Phase 3 - remodelling ⇾ more scar tissue is produced during this phase of the inflammatory response ⇾ can last many months.
, ⇾ new functional body tissue is developed and strengthened which can replace scar ⇾ An athlete will not be
tissue if proper treatment is sought from health professionals. back to full health until
⇾ During this phase of the inflammatory response the balance of exercise and rest is this phase is completed
important as too much exercise will cause further injury, but not enough exercise (though they often have
will result in too much weak scar tissue. already returned to
play).
Management of soft tissue injuries:
Why How Time
R - Rest To reduce bleeding and prevent further Place in a comfortable position with the Until beginning a program of careful
injury. injury elevated and supported mobilisation
I - Ice To reduce: ⇾ Crush ice in a wet towel and wrap 20 minutes every hour for the first 36 - 72
⇾ Bleeding around the injury hours
⇾ Swelling ⇾ Apply frozen gel packs
⇾ Pain
⇾ Blood flow
C - Compression Decrease swelling and bleeding Wrap an elastic bandage over the injured At the time of the injury
area, covering both above and below the
site
E - Elevation To reduce the volume of pressure and Elevate the injured site above the level of 20-30 minutes every 2 hours
blood flow to the injury and reduce the heart
swelling.
R - Referral Ascertain the full extent of the injury Medical assessment should be sought As soon as possible
Hard tissue injuries
- Hard tissue injuries include fractures, dislocations and loss of teeth, or any injury to the skeletal system.
- A fracture is the technical term for a broken bone and there are various types of fracture with various degrees of complication. The other main hard tissue
injury is a dislocation.
