Muscle Injuries *Symptoms *Classification of Injuries SHMD 249 9/05/2013 1

Injury Timeline INJURY DOCTOR X-Ray Ultra- sound PHYSIO Massage ROM Ultra-sound therapy BIOKINETICIST Exercise Therapy RETURN TO SPORT MAINTENANCE REHAB 2

Classification of Injuries 3 degrees of severity of injury: 3 degrees of severity of injury: 1.First degree: least severe Minor stretching of ligaments/tendons/muscle Mild pain Some swelling & joint stiffness Very little loss of joint stability 3

Classification of Injuries 2.Second degree: Moderate stretching & tearing of some ligaments/tendons/muscle Increased swelling & pain Increased loss of range of motion Moderate loss of joint stability 4

Classification of Injuries 3.Third degree: Most severe Complete tear/rupture of one or more ligaments/tendons/muscle Massive swelling & severe pain Complete loss of range of motion Complete loss of joint stability 5

Classification of Injuries Traumatic Injuries Traumatic Injuries This injury is the result of a specific incident and it occurs immediately. Overuse Injuries Overuse Injuries This injury is the result of unaccustomed or excessive, repetitive movements or activities. 6

Classification of Injuries There are common causes of overuse injuries: There are common causes of overuse injuries: – Poor general fitness and flexibility – Using incorrect techniques while performing certain activity – Unprepared, sudden increase or change in activity – Poor environment or unsuitable equipment – And the most common causes of soft tissue injury are: too much, too often, too soon. 7

Symptoms Pain & swelling most common symptoms – cause decreased functionality. Bruising can also be expected. Swelling & bruising are the result of ruptured blood vessels, and this will in turn produce heat & inflammation. Injured area may look red & feel hot as blood vessels in damaged area dilate. 8

Symptoms Inflammation: Inflammation: – Is the body’s protection mechanism. – Stops/restricts movement to prevent further damage from occurring while the body repairs itself. – Prevents ‘toxins’ from spreading throughout the rest of the body. Too much of an inflammatory response in the early stage can mean that the healing process takes longer and a return to activity is delayed. Too much of an inflammatory response in the early stage can mean that the healing process takes longer and a return to activity is delayed. 9

Repair 12 hours – 4 days: 12 hours – 4 days: – Body’s clotting mechanism seals the end of torn blood vessels so that further blood plasma cannot escape into surrounding tissues. – Cells become active & new capillary blood vessels buds form & gradually establish a new circulation in the area. – Absorption of swelling. – Removal of debris and blood clot. – Development of initial fibrous scar tissue. 10

Scar Tissue Damaged tissue is repaired by ‘scar tissue’. Scar tissue has ‘plastic’ properties: it can be stretched & ‘molded’. Scar is not elastic like muscle & will form in a haphazard pattern: ‘kinks & curls’ which will contract & shorten if not stretched daily for a few months after injury. Very important for scar tissue to be stretched and from parallel ‘lines’ to give the muscle strength. Stretching ensures the scar is molded to the desired length & improve the strength of the healed ‘scar’. Thus reducing the risk of re-injury. 11

Psychological Response To Injury Response varies: – From person to person. – Within an individual alone. Depending on when injury occurs: – Start/middle of training season. – During major competition. 12

Psychological Response To Injury Early Reactions: – Shock – Disbelief Followed by further responses: – Denial – Anger – Depression – Tension – Helplessness – Acceptance – Adaptation – Re-organization 13