Injury Treatment

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Injury Treatment

• Signs and symptoms can often be confused
• SIGNS are what you can SEE - swelling, bleeding,
  etc
• SYMPTOMS are what the injured person can TELL you
  - pain, discomfort, etc
• It is the teachers or coaches responsibility to
  help the injured person. Serious or potentially
  serious injuries should be dealt with by a
  professional.

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• You should know about the following
• blisters
• concussion
• cuts/grazes
• dehydration
• exhaustion
• ligament injuries
• muscle injuries
• tendon injuries
• winding
• RICE

3

• BLISTERS
• Blisters form when the skin repeatedly rubs
  against another surface and causes friction.
• A tear occurs between the upper layers of the
  skin and although the outer surface remains
  unbroken fluid seeps into the space immediately
  beneath it.
• CONCUSSION
• Concussion is normally the result of a severe
  blow to the head, this causes jarring of the
  brain against the inside of the skull and
  swelling of the brains surface.
• Signs may be that the person is pale and
  breathing in short little breaths, they could be
  cold and have a fast pulse.

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• Medical attention must be sought as a matter of
  urgency.
• Try and ensure they remain conscious and have no
  liquid.
• CUTS AND GRAZES
• A cut is the breaking of the skin with the
  release of blood from the damaged blood vessels.
• A graze is the scraping of the skin.
• Both can occur during physical activity.
• DEHYDRATION
• Dehydration often occurs in sport as a result of
  excessive perspiration.

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• Combined with an inadequate fluid intake
• Conditions usually found in endurance events -
  e.g. marathon.
• Signs are usually that the person looks exhausted
  and are weak on their feet.
• Symptoms are dry and tacky feel in the mouth,
  dizziness, sickness and problems with their
  balance/co-ordination.
• Fluid intake is the best course of action, if
  this does not help get medical advice.
• Serious dehydration which is untreated can cause
  seizure, brain damage or even death in really
  extreme cases.

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Martin Johnson taking in plenty of fluid
(isotonic drink)
Isotonic drinks are ideal for rehydrating and
refuelling
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• EXHAUSTION
• Can be associated with activities in extreme
  environments.
• Signs can be similar to dehydration.
• Problems co-ordinating their movement.
• Low temperature.
• Dilated pupils.
• Weak pulse.
• Pale, moist skin.
• Fainting spells.
• They could also complain of headaches, dizziness,
  sickness and physical weakness.
• If the exhaustion is related to the heat or cold,
  then the person should be either cooled down or
  heated up.

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• INJURIES TO LIGAMENTS, TENDONS AND MUSCLES
• STRAINS - to a muscle or tendon is often caused
  by overuse, excessive force or over stretching.
• SPRAINS - is an injury to a ligament surrounding
  a joint can often be caused by a wrench or twist.
• TEARS - may be complete or partial. It is caused
  when muscle fibres are torn away from the tendons
  attaching them to the bones. Usually happens when
  over stretching. Tears can also occur in muscles
  and ligaments.

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• WINDING
• Is usually caused by a blow to the abdominal
  area, which temporarily paralyses the diaphragm.
• Signs include difficulty in breathing and often
  grasping for air and the inability to speak.
• Place the person in a reclining seated position
  until breath is regained.
• RICE
• The RICE method is recommended for all minor
  injuries. It stands for
• R EST
• I CE
• C OMPRESSION
• E LEVATION

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• REST - allow the injury time to recover. Activity
  too soon will cause further damage and increase
  the recovery time.
• ICE - cover the injured part in ice for 10 to 20
  minutes. The coldness results in less blood
  flowing to the injured part reducing bleeding and
  swelling.
• COMPRESSION - wrap a bandage not too tightly
  around the injured part, this provides support
  and immobilisation. Preventing further damage and
  reduce swelling.

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• ELEVATION - raise the injured part. Gravity will
  reduce the amount of fluid collecting in the
  injured tissue and the flow of blood to it.