Common Sports Injuries

Recap from last class Joints – terms, types Range of movement in joints Structure and function of joints Different types of synovial joints and their characteristics Joint movement

Tissue Properties Tissues have vascular properties Vascularity refers to the amount of blood a tissue has or requires Ligaments and cartilage are avascular because they do not receive their nutrients through blood. They receive it through compression

Tissue Properties Bones and muscles are vascular, therefore they receive nutritional needs through blood Ligaments and cartilage are avascular because they do not receive their nutrients through blood. They receive it through compression The more vascular a tissue, the less time it takes to recover from an injury

Ankle Sprain A severe in-turning or out-turning of the foot may cause the ligaments of the ankle to stretch beyond their normal length. If the force is too strong, the ligaments can tear. The amount of force determines the grade of the sprain.

First – Third Degree Tears, Sprains and Pulls Tears, sprains and pulls are used to describe joint injuries Sprains are associated with ligaments and tendons Pulls and strains are associated with muscles

First – Third Degree Tears, Sprains and Pulls Tears, sprains and pulls fall into 3 categories on severity of injury: 1. First degree – Mild and least severe. It will take a short time (a day or a few days) to heal if proper care is taken the moment injury occurs. 2. Second degree – They are moderate. They require treatment from a physiotherapist once diagnosed by a Doctor. 3. Third degree – Most severe injury. May require surgery and rehabilitation.

Common Sports Injuries

Tendinitis Inflammation of a tendon caused by irritation due to a prolonged or abnormal use

Tendinitis

Dislocations Dislocations occur when a bone is displaced from its original location It usually involves damage to joint capsule and ligaments that hold the 2 bones together Muscles and tendons may be torn based on severity of dislocation

Dislocations

Separations Separations occur when bones held together by fibrous ligaments tear and separate from each other

Separations

Cartilage Damage Recap three main types of cartilage: 1. Hyaline cartilage – found at ends of bones and free moving joints – most common 2. Fibrocartilage – tough and very strong cartilage that is found between vertebrae 3. Elastic Cartilage – “yellow cartilage” makes up external ear, auditory tube and epiglottis

Cartilage Damage Cartilage is covered by perichondrium Cartilage has no blood supply (avascular), therefore takes time to heal Cartilage damage or injuries (known in popular sports language as “torn cartilage”) in the knee is common in sports like soccer and basketball

Cartilage Damage

Shin Splints It is overuse of shin without adequate recovery time This term refers to a painful condition occurring in the medial or lateral side of the tibia, on its shaft It’s caused by tearing of interosseus membrane (located between tibia and fibula) or the periosteum (the lining of the bone)

Shin Splints

Proper Treatment of an Injury Injuries occur in all sports When an injury occurs, one or more of the following signs will appear in this acronym SHARP Swelling instantly or overtime Heat or increased temperature of injured area Altered, the tissue may not function properly Red in color and the area might be Painful to touch or move

The PIER Principle When a fellow teammate gets injured in a sport, you should follow the P.I.E.R. principle to treat injury Pressure Ice Elevation Restriction when an injury occurs, make sure it is diagnosed and treated by a sports medicine doctor or a chiropractor with a sports injury background