Sports injury

1. The term sports injury, in the broadest sense, refers to the kinds of injuries that most commonly occur during sports or exercise. Some sports injuries result from accidents; others are due to:
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poor training practices improper equipment lack of conditioning insufficient warmup and stretching

2. Although virtually any part of your body can be injured during sports or exercise, the term is usually reserved for injuries that involve the musculoskeletal system, which includes the muscles, bones, and associated tissues like cartilage. 3. Traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries are relatively rare during sports or exercise.

Classification 1. Can be broadly classified as either traumatic or overuse injuries. i. Traumatic injuries account for most injuries in contact sports such as, rugby leagueand American football because of the dynamic and high collision nature of these sports. These injuries range from bruises and muscle strains, to fractures and head injuries.

ii.

2. A bruise is damage to small blood vessels which causes bleeding within the tissues. A muscle strain is a small tear of muscle fibers and a ligamentsprain is a small tear of ligament tissue.

Signs and symptoms 1. Inflammation is characterized by i. ii. iii. iv. pain localized swelling heat redness loss of function.

Prevention 1. A warm-up program has been founded to decrease injuries in association football. 2. Use proper equipment is key in preventing injury. 3. Doctors believe fatigue can be a contributing factor in sports injuries because it is more difficult for the body to protect itself when fatigued.

Types Of Injury a) muscle sprains and strains

b) tears of the ligaments that hold joints together

c) tears of the tendons that support joints and allow them to move

d) dislocated joints

e) fractured bones

Treatment First-aid treatment* - "R.I.C.E.D" Rest Ice Stop the activity that's causing you pain. Apply crushed ice or ice cubes wrapped in a damp towel to the injury for 15-20 minutes immediately after the injury. Repeat once every 4 hours over the next 2 days. Cold reduces the pain, bleeding and swelling of injury site.

Compression A firmly applied elastic bandage will also reduce pain, bleeding and swelling, as well as provide support to the injured part. If there is any numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes, loosen the bandage. Elevation Diagnosis Raise the injured body part by resting it on a chair or a cushion. This will help reduce bleeding and drain the swelling. Consult your doctor if there is severe pain, swelling or deformity (suspect fracture) or if symptoms worsen or are unchanged after 2 days. In addition to the sprain/strain treatment and exercise rehabilitation, further evaluation may be necessary to rule out fracture or a more severe injury.

Pain relief and rehabilitation 1. Prompt and appropriate action should be taken to protect the injury and promote recovery. Avoid heat, alcohol, running (or any exercise) and massage for the first 72 hours. 2. Over-the-counter medication can be used to treat mild to moderate pain. Doctor may also prescribe stronger analgesics or anti -inflammatory drugs for more severe pain and swelling. 3. Once your pain and swelling has subsided, rehabilitation guided by a doctor or physiotherapist may be needed to gain full recovery. This may includ e exercises:
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To restore normal movement and flexibility To improve strength and power To restore coordination and control To maintain overall fitness/healthy body weight To learn sports specific skills and movements