First Aid Project: First Aid in Sports

MedicoPlexus

Medical University of Varna

Elective Course: First Aid at Home and Work

TOPIC: FIRST AID IN SPORTS

ARJUN AJITHAN- Group 19E

FIRST YEAR MEDICINE

Introduction

Because of the drive and motivation of the people today to push towards a health-conscious world and society, there is an increased interest in participating in recreational sports over the past couple of years.

It’s important to maintain good physical health as individuals, and as athletes so regular exercise and sports is essential to maintain a healthy body and lifestyle. This project on first aid for sports injuries will give a brief outlook on how to manage injuries that may arise while taking part in sports activities. This report will cover some minor and major mishaps and give the adequate knowledge on how to handle said situations properly.

First Aid for common injuries

Hamstring Strain

The hamstring muscle is located on the posterior of the thigh. Unfortunately, the hamstring muscles can be tight and are prone to a strain, which is also called a pulled muscle. Poor stretching techniques or lack of stretching can be the reason for hamstring strain. First aid for hamstring related injuries is given by the “R.I.C.E.” procedure mentioned further ahead.

Shoulder Injury

Shoulder injuries cover a large number of sports injuries from dislocations, misalignment, strains on muscles and sprains of ligaments. The shoulder is the weakest joint of the body and is subject to a great deal of force during athletic activities.

First Aid to be administered in the case of a shoulder injury is as follows:

Immobilize Shoulder
Do not force arm to move.
Place pillow or rolled blanket between upper arm and chest.
Wrap towel around the person’s upper body to bind arm to it.
Otherwise, if comfortable to do so, put the affected forearm in a sling with elbow at 90° angle.
Control Swelling
Apply ice pack for 20 minutes 4 to 8 times a day. Do not place ice directly against the skin.

Concussion

A concussion can be defined as injury to the brain, due a blow to the head where the brain is shaken. Concussions are serious injuries that should not be taken lightly. An athlete who experiences a concussion should seek out a certified athletic trainer or a physician with experience treating concussions.

Common concussion treatments include rest, reduced activities requiring mental or physical stress and slowly increasing physical activities, as long as symptoms do not return.

Common concussion symptoms can include:

ACL Tear or Strain

The ACL, anterior cruciate ligament, is one of the major stabilizing ligaments of the knee. The most common cause of sports injuries for an ACL strain is slowing down and trying to cut, pivot or change directions. Ligaments on the inside of the knee are often torn with the ACL injury, making it a devastating event.

Instability when walking or turning corners, as well as increased swelling in the knee would be common ACL tear symptoms. A complete ACL tear would require surgery and a few months of recovery time with physical therapy. But a slight ACL strain or tear can be healed without surgery using “R.I.C.E.” technique as the scar tissue helps heal the ligament and the knee becomes more stable.

Sprains

Ligaments are tough, elastic bands that join bone to bone and holds joints in place. A sprain is an injury caused by tearing of the fibers of the ligament. The ligament can have a partial tear, or it can be completely torn apart.

Ankle sprains are the most common type of sprain. Wrist, knee and thumb sprains are also common. Sprained ligaments often swell rapidly and are painful. Generally, the greater the pain and swelling, the more severe the injury is. For most minor sprains, you probably can start initial injury treatment yourself by using the “R.I.C.E.” procedure.

R.I.C.E Procedure:

Rest the injured limb and you may need to use crutches. A splint or brace also may be helpful initially.

Ice the area. Use a cold pack or a compression sleeve filled with cold water to help limit swelling after an injury. Try to ice the area as soon as possible after the injury and continue to ice it for 15 to 20 minutes, four to eight times a day, for the first 48 hours or until swelling improves. If you use ice, be careful not to use it too long, as this could cause tissue damage.

Compress the area with an elastic wrap or bandage. Compressive wraps or sleeves made from elastic or neoprene are advised.

Elevate the injured limb above your heart whenever possible to help prevent or limit swelling.

First Aid for Emergency Situations

Neck or spine injuries

If a back or neck (spinal) injury is suspected, do not move the affected person. Permanent paralysis and other loss of functioning can be caused by severe complications. Assume somebody has a spinal injury if:

There’s evidence of a head injury with an ongoing change in the person’s level of consciousness.
The person complains of severe pain in his or her neck or back, An injury has exerted substantial force on the back or head.
The person complains of weakness, numbness, or paralysis or lacks control of his or her limbs, bladder or bowels, the neck or body is positioned abnormally.

First aid

Immobilize the person. Place towels or rolled sheets on both sides of the neck or hold the neck to prevent movement.
Provide as much first aid as possible without moving the person’s head or neck. If the person shows no signs of circulation (breathing, coughing or movement), begin CPR, but do not tilt the head back to open the airway. Use your fingers to gently grasp the jaw and lift it forward. If the person has no pulse, begin chest compressions.

If the person is wearing a helmet, don’t remove it.
Call for emergency medical help.

If you must roll the person because he or she is vomiting, choking on blood or because you have to make sure the person is still breathing, you need at least one other person. With one of you at the head and another along the side of the injured person, work together to keep the person’s head, neck and back aligned while rolling the person onto one side.

Broken bones

A fracture is a broken bone and it requires medical attention. If the broken bone is the result of major trauma or injury, call emergency authorities or your local emergency number.

If the person is unresponsive, isn’t breathing or isn’t moving, begin CPR. (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation).

Stop any bleeding. Apply pressure to the wound with a sterile bandage, a clean cloth or a clean piece of clothing.
Immobilize the injured area. Don’t try to realign the bone or push a bone that’s sticking out back in. If you’ve been trained in how to splint and professional help isn’t readily available, apply a splint to the area above and below the fracture sites. Padding the splints can help reduce discomfort.
Apply ice packs to limit swelling and help relieve pain. Don’t apply ice directly to the skin. Wrap the ice in a towel, piece of cloth or some other material.
Treat for shock. If the person feels faint or is breathing in short, rapid breaths lay the person down with the head slightly lower than the trunk and, if possible, elevate the legs.

Injuries to the head or face

The brain is a soft and delicate organ protected by the skull. A hard blow to the head can injure the brain or spinal cord even when there are no visible signs of trauma to the scalp or face. That’s why all head injuries are considered serious and should be assessed by your doctor or the nearest hospital emergency department.

Common causes of head injury include:

While playing contact sports
Accidents at home, work, outdoors
Traffic accidents

Head injuries can be classified as:

1.Open – with bleeding wounds to the face or head

2.Closed – no visible signs of injury to the face or head.

Blood is not a reliable indicator of the seriousness of a head injury. Apart from wounds, other symptoms of serious head injury can include:

Altered consciousness
Skull deformities
Clear fluid from the ears or nose
Black eyes and bruised skin behind the ears
Vision changes
Nausea and vomiting

First aid when the injured person is conscious

Encourage the injured person to reduce any movement of their head or neck. Control any significant blood loss from head wounds with direct pressure and a dressing. Avoid disturbing blood clots forming in the hair. Reassure the person and try to keep them calm.

First aid when the injured person is unconscious

The person should not be moved unless they are in immediate danger. Any needless movement may cause greater complications to the head injury itself, the spine or other associated injuries. A good rule is that if the head is injured, the neck may be injured too.

Monitor their airway and breathing until the arrival of an ambulance. If the person’s breathing becomes impaired due to a problem with their airway, very carefully tilt their head back (and support it) until normal breathing returns. If the person stops breathing or has no pulse, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may be required.

DO NOT wash a head wound that is deep or bleeding a lot.
DO NOT remove any object sticking out of a wound.
DO NOT move the person unless absolutely necessary.
DO NOT remove a helmet if you suspect a serious head injury.
DO NOT pick up a fallen child with any sign of head injury.

Abdominal injuries

The abdominal cavity lies between the thoracic and pelvic cavity. Unlike the mentioned cavities, there are no bones to protect the abdomen and any injury may cause serious damage to of the abdominal organs such as the intestines, liver or stomach. In certain cases, the injury may involve both the abdominal and pelvic contents. If this event occurs, the injured patient may bleed to death internally unless immediate treatment is provided.

Symptoms and signs – Not all may be present

history of injury to the abdominal area
bleeding wound or other obvious injury, possibly with visible intestines
severe pain and possible muscle spasm across the abdominal wall
patient unable to stand and holding the injured area for pain relief

Protocol:

1. Place patient at rest and evaluate the injury

Assist the injured to lie down in a position of greatest comfort, usually on the back or on the uninjured side, with both knees drawn up for relief of pain and spasm.

Loosen any tight clothing, especially at waist and neck. Support the patient with pillows and blankets for comfort, as needed. Give frequent reassurance.

Call for an ambulance.

2. Control bleeding and cover any wound

If necessary, hold the wound edges together to control bleeding. If the intestines are visible, DO NOT touch or try to replace them. Cover the wound with sterile dressings to avoid damage to organs. DO NOT allow the patient to eat, drink or smoke.

3. Observe the patient

While waiting for the ambulance to arrive, observe the patient carefully for any changes in condition.

Conclusion

Different kind of injuries can occur while taking part in sports activities. They can range from the simplest of nosebleeds to something as critical as spinal cord injuries. It is important to be equipped with the proper knowledge and awareness of what to do when faced with such situations as it can mean the difference between life and death of an individual. This is why it is crucial to be familiar with the proper protocol and first aid which is to be administered, and important to act swiftly and promptly.