1. Introduction to Sports Injuries

2. General Definitions Acute injuries – Happen at one specific instant Chronic injuries – Happen due to prolonged abuse or inbalances All injuries occur due to: – Direct Blows, Torsions or Shearings Soft Tissue – skin, organs, tendons, ligaments Hard Tissues - bone

3. Acute Injuries Sudden that usually are accompanied by swelling Strains – Muscle or tendon is stretched to the point where the fibres start to tear – Prevention through warmup and stretching Sprains – Ligament and joint capsule damage caused by twisting motions that muscles can’t control – Prevention through flexibility and stable joints Ex – unhappy triad, ankle inversion, dislocations

4. Grades of Acute Injuries Strains – 1 – slight stretch of the muscles/tendons – 2 – partial tear – 3 – complete tear Sprains – 1 – stretch of ligaments – 2 – stretched to partial tear – 3 – Complete tear

5. Chronic Injuries Overuse or stress injuries that develop gradually Result of repetitive activities (running, tennis) Muscle tissue gradually develops microscopic tears that cause pain, swelling and tenderness Prevention through stretching and strengthening routines Ex – tennis elbow, shin splints, tendonitis

6. Musculoskeletal Healing Process

7. Stage 1 – The Inflammatory Phase 3 – 4 days Recognized by swelling, heat, altered function R – Rest – 2-3 days with immobilization I – Ice – Reduces pain and spasm, minimizes cell death and causes vasoconstriction C – Compression – Decreases swelling by slowing the flow of fluid to the area E – Elevation – Decreases swelling by encouraging blood to return to the heart and not pool

8. Stage 2 – The Regeneration Phase 48 hours + after the injury to weeks depending on the injury severity Tissue replacement Attempt to regain function

9. Stage 3 – The Remodelling Phase Weeks to a year Place sport specific forces on the area to increase strength Stress without distress Will need to progress as the injury recovers and strength and stability come back

10. Prevention of Sports Injuries Warm Up Cool Down Hydration Proper Technique Equipment Physical Conditioning Facilities Management Balanced Opponents Rules and Enforcement Common Sense

11. Benefits of Taping Can be used in prevention and to aid after an injury Increases stability of a joint Can take pressure or stress off of a body part Increases the confidence in an athletes abilities New stretchy tape is being used to help in taping to keep stability and aid movement

12. Benefits of Massage Can be used as a recovery method as well Increases blood flow to certain areas Can be used to lengthen soft tissue Can be used to flush metabolites from exercise from an area Can vary in strength (flush, athletic/active, deep) Can be used with other techniques (ART – active release therapy etc) Can be used to put compounds into the skin/muscle

13. Hip Joint Groin Injuries Basics Usually put together as the pain can radiate from one to the other Causes – Hip – usually articular cartilage damage – Groin – usually due to overloading muscles or tendons

14. Adductor Longus Muscle Commonly injured in soccer, track, hockey, skiing Symptoms – Pain on adduction – Pain is from the origin and may radiate towards the groin – Pain can decrease after initial exertion

15. Ilio-Psoas Muscle Commonly injured in weight lifting, rowing, running uphill, jumping and hurdling Symptoms – Inflammation of the bursa and tendon beneath the muscle – Tenderness at the insertion of the tendon – Pain in the groin may also occur on hip flexing

16. Rectus Femoris Muscle Commonly injured in kicking actions and fast starts in running Symptoms – Pain just above the hip joint – Pain during and after activity – Pain on flexing of the hip joint or extension of the knee joint

17. Other Abdominal Muscles Commonly injured in weightlifting, throwing, gymnastics and wrestling Symptoms – Inflammation is caused by exertion and a stabbing pain in the abdominal area – Pain is more pronounced when the muscle is contracted

18. Common Injuries to Know The Unhappy Triad (torn ACL, MCL, Meniscus) Stress Fractures Glenohumeral Dislocation Shin Splints Concussions Rotator Cuff Tendonitis Ankle Sprains Achilles Tendonitis Acromioclavicular Dislocation Tennis Elbow Split into 10 groups of 2-3 and each group choose one. Send a 1-2 PPT slides to Mr Wardle by Monday of your injury