Most Common Youth Football Injuries Contusions, Sprains, Strains and Fractures

Most Common Injuries in Youth Football Severity of injury increases with age and size 90% of participants – no injuries 10% injuries / 64% minor – return same day 35% contusions(bruises), 15% ligament sprains 4% concussions More likely injured in game vs. practice

Sprains Stretch or tear of a ligament Ligaments attach bone to bone Most common areas to sprain: Ankle Knee Shoulder Elbow Wrist Foot

Signs and Symptoms Pain May be mild to severe Bruising May be at the site or distal Inflammation Bodies response to immobilize the joint

Ankle Sprains Most common sprain seen Graded 1 – 3 / based on severity Grade 1 – mild sprain Grade 2 – moderate sprain Grade 3 – severe sprain

Lateral Ankle Ligaments

Ankle Sprain Treatment: RICE Rest Ice Ice Bag, Ice Bucket: 15-20 minutes Compression Ace Wrap, Stirrup ankle brace Elevation Get above heart Anti-inflammatory medication OTC: Advil, Aleve, Ibuprofen Doctor Prescribed

Knee Sprain ACL – Anterior Cruciate Ligament PCL – Posterior Cruciate Ligament MCL – Medial Collateral ligament LCL – Lateral Collateral Ligament

Knee Ligaments

Knee Sprain ACL – Anterior Cruciate Ligament Symptoms: Pain Immediate Swelling Unstable Treatment: RICE Brace / Crutches M.D. Visit

Knee Sprain Medial Collateral Ligament Graded 1- 3, Based on Severity Symptoms: Pain – Inside part of knee Swelling variable, usually mild Mild to moderate instability Treatment: RICE Brace / Crutches MD Visit

Patella Dislocation

Knee Dislocation Multiple Ligament Injuries

Shoulder Sprain AC Separation Direct Blow to shoulder, lands on it Pain on top of shoulder Treatment: RICE Sling M.D. Visit

Strains Injury to a muscle or tendon Symptoms: Pain at site, varies with severity Bruising in muscle belly Swelling Muscle spasm Muscle weakness Possible defect if severe

Strains Most Common Hamstring Quadriceps Adductor / Groin Gastroc / Calf Back Rotator Cuff

Strains Prevention: Warm-up Properly Stretch, Growing athletes need to spend more time stretching! Treatment: RICE M.D. Visit if moderate / severe Physical Therapy

Is it Broken? or Just Fractured?

Is it Broken or Just Fractured?

Is it Broken or Just Fractured?

Is it Broken or Just Fractured?

Is it Broken ? Or Just Fractured?

Is it Broken ? or Just Fractured ?

Is it Broken ? or Just Fractured ?

Is it Broken or Just Fractured?

Is it Broken? Or Just Fractured?

Fractures A Fracture is a partial or complete break in a bone

Types of Fracture Closed Fracture: Skin is intact Open Fracture / Compound Fracture: Bone has poked through the skin

Closed Fracture Types: Torus Fracture Non-Displaced Fractures Occurs in Children Looks like a wrinkle in the bone on x-ray Non-Displaced Fractures Bone broken all the way through but ends still aligned Displaced Fracture Bone broken all the way through and ends not aligned, may be in multiple pieces (comminuted) Fracture / Dislocations Dislocation of a joint along with the broken bone

Closed Fracture Treatment Don’t Panic! Immobilize Splint with cardboard / magazines, wrap with an ACE wrap Ice To control swelling Check capillary refill/ Feeling Seek Medical Treatment

Open Fractures Graded 1 – 3, based on severity Grade 1 – bone poked out and went back in Grade 2 – bone still out and visible Grade 3 – bone out and contaminated, possible nerve / vascular injury

Open Fracture Treatment: Don’t Panic!!!!! Emergency: Call Ambulance! Decontaminate wound / Remove clumps of grass / dirt Place Sterile Dressing Immobilize Extremity / Splint with magazines, cardboard, clean stick Wrap with ACE wrap Ice

Fracture / Dislocations Treatment: Don’t Panic Call Ambulance Splint extremity Ice

Dislocations Shoulder most common Elbow / Finger also common Treatment Ice Sling / Splint Seek Medical Attention

Thank You ! Gary A. Levengood, MD 770-237-3475 www.sportsmedsouth.com 1900 Riverside Parkway Lawrenceville, GA 30043