1. Physical Assessment of the Injured Athlete
Sports Medicine 1
Mr. Smith

2. Today’s Agenda HIPS Evaluation Process SOAP Evaluation Process
Learn it, you are expected this upcoming year to use it and present all injuries to me in this format

3. HIPS Evaluation Process
H = History (verbal)
I = Inspection (visual)
P = Palpation (feeling)
S = Special Tests (all the specific details of the injury)
I don’t expect you to know all the special tests….. yet.

4. History
All the questions that you can think of regarding the injury and more!!!
Mechanism of Injury (MX)
How they hurt them self- Weight bearing, twisting, contact, falling…etc.
Any previous injury to the area?
If so, break it down. Did they see the doctor? Diagnosis? Surgery? Missed practice time?
Why is this question important?

5. Determine whether the injury is acute or chronic
Unusual sensations?
Description of pain- location, type, severity, is it constant? Dull? Achy? Radiating? What makes it worse/ better?
Have them point to the exact spot that it hurts the most
Determine whether the injury is acute or chronic
Determine how long the athlete has had the symptoms and whether or not they disappear

6. Inspection Visual inspection of area for: ALWAYS compare bilaterally
Edema (swelling)
Amount and location
Ecchymosis (bruising)
Deformity
Fractures, tendon rupture, dislocation… etc
ALWAYS compare bilaterally
Notice altered gait (walking pattern) and/or posture

7. Palpation Learn your anatomy!!!
Pull out an anatomy book or reference if you are unsure of the anatomy
Start away from the suspected injury site and work towards the identified area
Why is this important?
Palpate bony anatomy, soft tissue anatomy (muscle, ligaments, tendons)

8. ALWAYS COMPARE BILATERALLY!!
Palpate surrounding and immediate area for:
Tissue temperature differences
To determine whether or not there is inflammation in the area
Pain
Deformity
Swelling
ALWAYS COMPARE BILATERALLY!!

9. Special Tests Range of Motion (ROM)
Active and Passive
Manual Muscle Testing (MMT) or Resistive Range of Motion (RROM)
Special Tests
Tests the integrity of the specific structures
You should know the most common special tests already
Example: Ankle and knee assessments

10. SOAP Notes S- Subjective O-Objective A- Assessment P- Plan
What the athlete tells you
O-Objective
What you observe
A- Assessment
Diagnosis
P- Plan
What you do with the athlete after they see you…
Including ice, heat, stretch, calling home, referral, sitting out from practice… etc.

11. Questions? Questions? Comments? Concerns?
You need to know one of these types of evaluation processes like the back of your hand!