Basic Athletic Training Chapter 3 Injuries and the Healing Process

1. Basic Athletic TrainingChapter 3 Injuries and the Healing Process

2. Chapter Objectives • Describe the inflammation process in the healing of athletic injuries • Compare obtained values of vital signs to the standard values for a normal patient • Debate the treatment rationale of ice versus heat application • Distinguish between acute and chronic injury management • Explain the principles of physical rehabilitation and range of motion

3. The Inflammation Process • Inflammation (swelling) after an injury is essential for complete healing of injured anatomical structure. • Body sends specialized cells to injured area in an attempt to limit damage and to begin healing. • Five signs of inflammation • Pain • Swelling • Redness • Heat • Loss of function

4. The Inflammation Process • Three Phases of the Healing Process • Inflammation—post acute injury • Tissue repair—after swelling subsides, scar tissue develops, which takes two to three weeks • Regeneration—replace all damaged tissue with new and healthy tissue

5. Vital Signs • Vital signs monitor life such as heart rate and breathing rate • Pulse—heart rate • Normal adult—60-80 beats/minute • Child—80-100 beats/minute • Respiration—breathing rate • Normal adult—12-20 breaths/minute • Child—20-25 breaths/minute

6. Vital Signs • Temperature—Indication of acute or chronic illness • Oral–98.6 degrees • Rectal–99.6 degrees • Axillary–97.6 degrees • Skin Color—Indication of acute or chronic illness • Red–heat stroke, diabetic coma, or high blood pressure • White (pale)–insufficient circulation, heat stroke, or shock • Non-white athlete–examine inner lip, gum area, and fingernail beds

7. Vital Signs • Pupils—traumatic situations, drug use, and head injury can cause pupils to change size • Constricted–central nervous system or depressant drug use • Dilated pupils–one or both, head injury, heat stroke, hemorrhage, or stimulant drug use • Unequal–failure to accommodate to light could indicate brain injury, drug poisoning, or alcohol intake

8. Vital Signs • State of Consciousness • Alert • Verbal • Responds to pain • Unresponsive • Movement—Four basic patterns • Active–athlete provides movement • Passive–ATC moves body part • Assistive–ATC assists movement • Resistive–ATC provides resistance to oppose movement

9. Vital Signs • Abnormal Nerve Stimulation—Always check motor (movement) and sensory (feeling) • Blood Pressure—When heart contracts, systolic pressure is determined. As the heart relaxes, diastolic pressure can be determined

10. Treatment Rationale: Ice vs. Heat • Selection of ice or heat following injury is critical. Ice is used 48 to 72 hours following most injuries. • Application of ice • Reduces swelling and inflammation • Reduced blood flow to injury site • Reduced pain at the injury site • Ice bags • Chemical ice packs • Ice massage

11. Ice Treatment • Cold whirlpool • Cold water immersion • Cold spray • Cold packs

12. Application of HEAT • Heat should not be used in the first 48 to 72 hours unless advised by a physician or certified athletic trainer. • Hot packs • Hot whirlpool • Contrast baths • Hot water and cold water immersion

13. Additional Therapeutic Techniques • Exercise • Increases circulation, strength, and range of motion • Therapeutic Modalities • Various electrical modalities are used to decrease pain, swelling, and muscle spasm. • Ultrasound • Electrical stimulating currents • Ultraviolet therapy • Low-post lasers

14. Additional Therapeutic Techniques • Massage • Counterirritants • Substances applied to the skin that cause a reaction • Joint mobilization

15. Acute vs. Chronic Injury Management • Acute Injuries (quick onset, short duration) • Response to an acute injury should include basic treatment of PRICES • Protection–remove athlete from participation • Rest–depends on severity of injury but could last 24 hours or longer • Ice–Apply cold to the area to help control bleeding and swelling • Compression–Use a compression wrap to control swelling. Applied too tight could interfere with circulation and nerve function • Elevation–Keep injured body part elevated above the heart • Support–If needed place athlete on crutches or in a sling

16. Acute vs. Chronic Injury Management • Chronic (of longer duration, repeating) • Characterized by continued use of PRICES • Exercise • Therapeutic modalities • Heat • Contrast bath treatment

17. Physical Rehabilitation • Five Phases of Physical Rehabilitation • Post-surgical/acute injury • Early exercise • Intermediate exercise • Advanced exercise • Initial sports re-entry • Basic Components of Physical Rehabilitation • Therapeutic exercise • Therapeutic modalities • Athlete education

18. Range of Motion (ROM) • Range of Motion—normal movement of a joint • Assessing ROM is critical in evaluating injuries • Athletic trainer needs experience in using a goniometer

19. Questions ?