Common Injuries in Cheerleading and How To Prevent Them

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Common Injuries in Cheerleading and How To
Prevent Them

• Tim Ussery, MS, LAT, ATC

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Common Injuries

• Head Injuries
• Ankle and Foot Injuries
• Wrist and Hand Injuries

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Grade 1 Concussions

• Symptoms
• Transient Confusion
• No Loss of Consciousness
• No Headaches
• No Neurological Symptoms
• Symptoms Resolve in Less Than 15 Minutes

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Grade 1 Concussions

• Management
• Remove from Contest
• Examine Immediately and at 5-Minute Intervals
• May Return if Post-Concussive Symptoms Resolve
  Within 15 Minutes

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Grade 2 Concussion

• Symptoms
• Transient Confusion
• Amnesia
• No Loss of Consciousness
• Mild Headache
• Light-Headed
• Unable to Concentrate or Focus
• Symptoms do Not Resolve in Less Than 15 Minutes

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Grade 2 Concussion

• Management
• Remove From Contest and Disallow Return for That
  Day
• Examine Frequently for Signs of Intra-Cranial
  Pathology
• Physician Management

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Grade 3 Concussion

• Symptoms
• Any Loss of Consciousness.
• Brief (Seconds).
• Prolonged (Minutes).
• Severe Neurological Symptoms
• Beware of Second Impact Syndrome.

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Grade 3 Concussions

• Management
• Transport to the Nearest Emergency Room by
  Ambulance if Unconscious or if Worrisome Signs
  are Detected.
• Use Backboard and Send to Emergency Room.

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Head Injury Take Home Instructions

• Observe for 24-48 Hours
• Symptoms to Be Observed.
• Management
• Head Injury Take Home Instructions

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Symptoms of Concussions

• Severe headaches
• Dizziness or loss of coordination
• Temporary loss of memory/mental
  confusion/disorientation
• Ringing of the ears
• Blurred or double vision
• PEARL
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Slurred speech

• Convulsions or tremors
• Excessive sleepiness or grogginess
• Clear fluid from the nose and/or ears
• Decreased pulse rate
• Gradual increase in blood pressure
• Numbness or paralysis (partial or complete)
• Difficulty being aroused

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Ankle Injuries

• Types
• Sprains
• Fractures

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Ankle Sprains

• Most Common is Inversion or Inward Stress
• Least Common is Eversion or Outward Stress
• Can be Traumatic or a Chronic, Reoccurring Injury

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Ankle Sprains

• Signs and Symptoms
• Mild Aching to Sudden Pain
• Swelling
• Discoloration
• Inability to Move the Ankle Properly
• Pain in the Ankle Even When You are Not Putting
  Weight on It

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Ankle Sprains

• Treatment
• Non-Surgical
• Rest
• Control Inflammation
• Manual Therapy
• Modalities
• Rehabilitation
• Surgical
• In Recurrent Situations

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Ankle and Foot Fractures

• Mechanism
• Contact
• Getting Stepped on the Foot or Ankle
• Jumping or Landing Improperly
• Sudden Twisting or Pivoting Where Ankle Gives Out

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Ankle and Foot Fractures

• Signs and Symptoms
• Mild to Sharp Pain
• Mild to Moderate Swelling
• Discoloration and Bruising
• Inability to Move the Ankle, Foot, and/or Toes
  Properly, Depending on Severity
• Point Tender Over the Injured Area

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Ankle and Foot Fractures

• Treatment
• Non-Surgical
• Brace or Cast
• 4-6 Weeks of Immobilization
• Control Inflammation
• Modalities
• Rehabilitation
• Surgical
• Depending on Severity
• Depending on Bone Displacement with Fractures

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Hand and Wrist Injuries

• Types
• Sprains
• Fractures
• Dislocations
• Tendon Injuries

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Hand and Wrist Injuries

• Mechanism
• Contact
• Getting Hit Directly on the Hand and Wrist
• Catching Someone with Hand and Wrist in an
  Awkward Position
• Falling and Landing with the Hand and Wrist in an
  Awkward Position
• Improper Form During a Cartwheel, Handstand, or
  Flip

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Hand and Wrist Injuries

• Signs and Symptoms
• Mild to Sharp Pain
• Mild to Moderate Swelling
• Discoloration and Bruising
• Inability to Move the Hand, Wrist, and/or Fingers
  Properly, Depending on Severity
• Point Tender Over the Injured Area

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Hand and Wrist Injuries

• Treatment
• Non-Surgical
• Brace or Cast
• Rest
• Control Inflammation
• Modalities
• Rehabilitation
• Surgical
• Depending on Severity
• Depending on Bone Displacement with Fractures

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When to Seek Medical Attention for a Traumatic
Injury

• Swelling About a Joint
• Inability to Move a Joint
• Decreased Joint Motion
• Obvious Deformity
• Inability to Walk or Bear Weight on a Joint

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Treatment of Traumatic Injuries

• Treat the Inflammatory Process
• Protection
• Rest
• Ice
• Compression
• Elevation
• Seek Medical Help if Necessary

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Return to CompetitionFollowing a Traumatic Injury

• Pain Free
• Normal Range of Motion
• Normal Strength
• Able to Run
• Able to Jump and Pivot
• Able to Perform Sport Specific Activities

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Preventing Injuries in Cheerleading

• Utilize Proper Training Techniques
• Improve Strength
• Correct Muscular Imbalances
• Improve Flexibility

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Proper Training Techniques

• Begin Slowly
• Progress Gradually
• The 1 Cause of Injury is Doing Too Much, Too
  Soon
• The Tissues of the Body can Adapt if Change is
  Gradual

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Rules of Strengthening

• Light Resistance
• High Repetition
• Emphasis on Endurance and Balance
• Emphasis Should be on the Shoulder Girdle, Trunk,
  Core, and the Stabilizers of the Knee and Ankle

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Thank You!