 Student will be able to describe the step by step process of evaluating injuries

 The primary functions of an athletic trainer are to: recognize when injury occurred to determine its severity and to apply proper evaluation procedures and treatment protocols

 There are 2 major considerations in emergency evaluation:  Control of life-threatening conditions and activation of emergency medical services  Management of non-life-threatening injuries

 loss of breathing  severe bleeding  suspicion of intracranial bleeding and bleeding from ears, mouth, +/or nose  unconsciousness  shock  obvious deformity  suspected fracture/dislocation  pain, tenderness, or deformity along vertebral column  loss of motor sensory sensation  loss of motion  doubt about severity of the injury

 2 points to consider when deciding about transportation: availability of emergency ambulance service severity of injury  Athletic training staff or coaches should NEVER transport an athlete in a private vehicle.  EMT’s are skilled, practiced pros. who routinely provide advanced medical care and transport injured patients.  They have the proper equipment and training to prepare injured athletes for transportation.

 Primary Survey airway breathing circulation

 after primary survey has determined there is no life-threatening condition.  It consists of 2 elements:  History  Physical Examination

 ask questions of the athlete to determine:  mechanism of injury how did the injury occur?  onset of symptoms when did symptoms begin  location of injury  quantity and quality of pain  type and location of any abnormal sensations  progression of signs and symptoms  activities that make the symptoms better or worse

 Evaluate Vital Signs: abnormal nerve response blood pressure movement pulse respirations skin color state of consciousness temperature

 First rule out life-threatening injury  EVALUATION Process involves 4 steps  HOPS History – Injury History Observation Palpation Special Tests

 Trying to determine the injury mechanism How did it happen? (mechanism of injury) Where does it hurt? (location of pain) Did you hear a pop or snap? (sensations experienced) Have you injured this anatomical structure before” (previous injury)

 compare the uninvolved to the involved anatomical structure (bilateral comparison)  Signs and Symptoms  Look for:  Bleeding  deformity (disfigurement)  swelling (edema)  discoloration (ecchymosis)  Scars o  other sign of trauma

 Physical Inspection of the injury  Palpate above and below injury site first.  Then palpate injury site.  Pinpoint the site of the most severe pain. (point tenderness)  Use bilateral comparison – compare good side to injured side.

Special tests and functional tests are used to determine if damage has been done to the anatomical structures These tests include testing for:  joint stability  muscle/tendon stability  accessary anatomical structures example: synovial capsules, bursa, menisci inflammatory conditions range of motion pain or weakness in the affected area

 SOAP  Subjective  Objective  Assessment  Plan

 asking question about pre-existing or existing injuries How it happened? When it happened? What did you feel? Has this ever happened before? Types of pain Where does it hurt?

Involves visual, physical, and functional inspection  Swelling - Deformity  Ecchymosis - Symmetry  Range of Motion - Scars  Facial expression - Circulation  Neurological tests - Bone  Soft tissue - Gait / walk  Sports-specific movements

 Try to determine: Probable cause of the injury Impressions of injury site Severity of injury Treatment goals

 What immediate and long term action should be taken to care for the injury? Immediate action Referral Modalities utilized Preventive techniques Rehabilitation considerations Criteria for return to active lifestyle

 P revention  R est  I ce  C ompression  E levation  S upport

Protect the injury from further damage by removing the athlete from participation.

 After evaluation is completed, rest injury for at least 24 hrs., but could be longer.  length of rest dependent on severity of injury.

 Apply cold to injured area  to control bleeding and swelling  Two equally effective methods:  Ice packs-  plastic bags filled with ice covered with a wet towel.  Treatment lasts 15 min., 6-8 times per day.  Cold water immersion bath-  use bath tub/large basin with water temp. 50/60 degrees for 10 min., 6-8 times per day.

use compression wrap to control swelling begin distally (farthest from heart) spiral the wrap toward the heart remove the wrap every 4 hours things to look for if wrap is too tight:  extremities turning blue or pink  numbness & tingling of extremities  increased pain

Keep injured body part elevated higher than the heart allows gravity to keep excessive blood & swelling out of injured area.

 first aid splint  crutches for lower extremity injuries  sling for upper extremity injuries