Recognizing Different Sports Injuries

TYPES OF INJURIES ACUTE CHRONIC Caused by trauma Happens immediately Caused by overuse Happens over time

FRACTURES DEFINITION - Break in the continuity of the bone Can range from a crack to crushing of the bone

FRACTURES Can be an open or closed fracture Open AKA “compound fracture” Bone is exposed through the skin Closed Unexposed fracture

TYPES OF FRACTURES Transverse Fracture occurs in a straight line, perpendicular to the bone shaft Cause – direct blow

TYPES OF FRACTURES Longitudinal Bone splits lengthwise through the shaft Cause – landing a jump from good height

TYPES OF FRACTURES Oblique Is diagonal across the bone Cause – twisting with one end stabilized

TYPES OF FRACTURES Spiral S-shaped fracture up the bone Cause – similar to oblique fracture, twisting with one end planted or stabilized

TYPES OF FRACTURES Impacted Bone is compressed and therefore shortened Cause – landing from a great height

TYPES OF FRACTURES Comminuted Three or more fragments of bone Cause – direct blow or falling awkwardly

TYPES OF FRACTURES Depressed Occurs in flat bones (ex. skull) where the bones are pushed in/depressed Cause – direct blow with hard object

TYPES OF FRACTURES Greenstick Incomplete fracture through the bone Common in adolescents They are called greenstick because these fractures are similar to the branches of trees during the spring/summer – they bend but do not break

TYPES OF FRACTURES Blowout Fracture of the orbit of the eye Cause - Direct blow to the eye

TYPES OF FRACTURES Avulsion Ligament or tendon pulls away part of the bone Cause – sudden twist or stretch

TYPES OF FRACTURES Contrecoup Occurs on opposite side of where force was directed In skull, object hits one side and forces internal structures to other side causing a fracture.

TYPES OF FRACTURES Stress Chronic injury, results from repetitive stress and fatigue Malnourishment or poor biomechanics can lead to these fractures Most common in weight bearing bones

Healing of a fracture Immobilization, 4-6 wks leg and arm, 3-6 smaller bones, hand or feet A callus (new bone) forms over a fracture Osteoblasts – bone forming cells Osteo means bone Blast means forming Osteoclasts – absorbs bone tissue function to reshape bone and respond to normal stress and strain after cast is removed

OPEN SOFT TISSUE INJURIES These are injuries where layers of the skin are exposed or injured Abrasion Commonly known as a scrape Scraping or rubbing away of layer or layers of the skin

OPEN SOFT TISSUE INJURIES Puncture wound Object penetrates layer(s) of the skin

OPEN SOFT TISSUE INJURIES Laceration Irregular, jagged cut of skin Usually required stitches

OPEN SOFT TISSUE INJURIES Incision Skin is sharply cut, clean lines of incision Think of surgical scars

SOFT TISSUE INJURIES Blister Traction on skin separates layers of skin and it fills with fluid

CLOSED SOFT TISSUE INJURIES Contusion Bruise Bleeding under skin that produces discoloration MOI – direct blow ACUTE

CLOSED SOFT TISSUE INJURIES Myositis ossificans Stems from a hematoma – collection of blood in a restricted area The hematoma leads to inflammation of the muscle that leads to bone formation (ossification) Hard to get rid of Common in soccer players CHRONIC

CLOSED SOFT TISSUE INJURIES – Joints and Ligaments Sprain – injury to joint structures (ligaments, joint capsules) Results from abnormal motion Graded in severity on a scale of 1-3

SPRAIN 1st degree sprain Mild stretching of fibers but nothing is weakened or unstable Mild pain and swelling and out 1-2 weeks

CLOSED SOFT TISSUE INJURIES – Joints and Ligaments 2nd degree sprain Moderate Some tearing of tissues – partial tear Mild instability Will heal with scar tissue Moderate pain and swelling Out 4-6 weeks

CLOSED SOFT TISSUE INJURIES – Joints and Ligaments 3rd degree sprain Complete tear of the ligament Initially painful, but it can subside Ligaments cannot repair if completely torn Completely unstable joint Recovery is dependent upon surgical technique used to replace ligament

CLOSED SOFT TISSUE INJURIES – Joints and Ligaments Dislocation Complete disruption in normal articulation of a joint 3rd degree sprain MOI – abnormal motion Goes out and stays out May involve a fracture as well Fingers and shoulder are most common

CLOSED SOFT TISSUE INJURIES – Joints and Ligaments Subluxation Partial dislocation Either starts to go out of joint and reduces itself or there is a partial articulation of the joint Will still involve tissue tearing to some extent

CLOSED SOFT TISSUE INJURIES – Muscles and Tendons Strain Injury to muscle or tendon unit Also graded on a scale of 3 with regards to severity

STRAINS 1st DEGREE STRAIN Mild stretch of tissues Will still have normal flexibility Mildly painful with activity

CLOSED SOFT TISSUE INJURIES – Muscles and Tendons 2nd degree strain Moderate Partial tearing of muscle/tendon fibers Tenderness and decreased ROM Susceptible to full tear if not treated properly

CLOSED SOFT TISSUE INJURIES – Muscles and Tendons 3rd degree strain Complete rupture of muscle or tendon Unable to move joint, total loss of function Muscle will “ball up” Potentially lots of pain and spasm

CLOSED SOFT TISSUE INJURIES – Muscles and Tendons Spasm Involuntary twitching or contraction of muscle Protection mechanism Happens after an injury to limit joint ROM to prevent further injury

CLOSED SOFT TISSUE INJURIES – Muscles and Tendons Tendinitis Inflammation of a tendon Chronic injury Tendon will be painful & swollen Severe tendonitis will have crepitus Crepitus – crunchy, gravelly feeling in a tendon when the muscle contracts

CLOSED SOFT TISSUE INJURIES Bursitis Inflammation of a bursa Bursa – small, thin fluid filled sac that aids with friction b/n skin, tendons, and muscles When inflammed, bursa will fill with fluid Looks like a golf ball under the skin

CLOSED SOFT TISSUE INJURIES Fascitis Inflammation of a fascia Fascia – broad, flat, tendon-like structure that provides support for surrounding tissues and structures