SPORTS INJURIES

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Sports-injuries/Pages/Treatment.aspx

READING ONE – INTRODUCTION

Read the introduction and check you understand the vocabulary in bold type.
Playing sport and doing regular exercise is good for your health, but can sometimes result in injuries. Sports
injuries can be caused by:

 an accident – such as a fall or heavy blow

 not warming up properly before exercising
 using inappropriate equipment or poor technique
 pushing yourself too hard

Almost any part of the body can be injured, including the muscles, bones, joints and connective tissues
(tendons and ligaments). The ankles and knees are some of the most commonly affected areas.
What to do if you have an injury
If you've injured yourself, you will probably notice pain, tenderness, swelling, bruising, and restricted
movement or stiffness in the affected area immediately. Sometimes, you may only notice these symptoms
several hours after exercising or playing sports.
Stop exercising if you feel pain, regardless of (a prescindere) whether your injury happened suddenly or you’ve
had the pain for a while. Continuing to exercise while you're injured may cause further damage and slow your
recovery time.
If the injury is minor, you don't usually need to see a doctor and can look after yourself at home, but you may
want to visit your GP (medico di base) or local Walk-in centre (Punto bianco) of the NHS (National Health
Service) if you need advice or your symptoms don't get better over time.
If the injury is severe, such as a broken bone, dislocation or severe head injury, go to your nearest Accident
and Emergency (A&E) department (Pronto Soccorso) as soon as possible.
READING TWO – TREATING SPORTS INJURIES

Read TEXT TWO about treating sports injuries. The headings for each paragraph have been removed. Decide
where these headings belong and write them in:
Physiotherapy Immobilisation Surgery Recovery PRICE Pain relief Corticosteroid injections
Treatment for a sports injury will depend on factors such as how severe the injury is and the part of your
body affected. Some general treatments that may be helpful for your injury are described below.
1. __________________ stands for Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Minor injuries, such
as mild sprains and strains, can often be initially treated at home using this treatment for two or three
days. Protection - protect the affected area from further injury; for example, by using a support. Rest -
avoid exercise and reduce your daily physical activity. Using crutches or a walking stick may help if you
cannot put weight on your ankle or knee, and a sling may help if you've injured your shoulder. Ice - apply
an ice pack to the affected area for 15-20 minutes every two to three hours. A bag of frozen peas, or
similar, will work well. Wrap the ice pack in a towel to avoid it directly touching your skin and causing an
ice burn. Compression - use elastic compression bandages during the day to limit swelling. Elevation -
keep the injured body part raised above the level of the heart whenever possible. This may also help to
reduce swelling.
2. ___________________. Medications such as paracetamol, can be used to help ease the pain. Non-
steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) tablets or creams, such as ibuprofen, can also be used to
help ease any pain and help to reduce any swelling. Aspirin should not be given to children under 16
years of age.
3. ___________________ This procedure can sometimes help to prevent further damage by reducing
movement. It can also reduce pain, muscle swelling and muscle spasm. For example, slings,
splints and casts may be used to immobilize injured arms, shoulders, wrists and legs while you heal. If
you only have a sprain, prolonged immobilization is not usually necessary, and you should try gently
moving the affected joint as soon as you are able to do so without experiencing significant pain.
4. ____________________ Some people recovering from a long-term injury may benefit from
physiotherapy. This is a specialist treatment that can involve techniques such as massage,
manipulation and exercises to improve the range of motion, strengthen the surrounding muscles, and
return the normal function of injured area. A physiotherapist can also develop an exercise programme
to help strengthen the affected body part and reduce the risk of the injury recurring.
5. ______________________ If you have severe or persistent inflammation, these may be
recommended. They can help to relieve pain caused by your injury, although for some people the pain
relief is minimal or only lasts for a short period of time. If necessary, the injections can be repeated
every few months, but care must be taken to avoid side effects, such as thinning of the skin.
6. _______________________ Most sports injuries don't require this procedure, but very severe
injuries such as badly broken bones may require corrective surgery to fix the bones with wires, plates,
screws or rods. In some cases, however, it may be possible realign displaced bones without needing
an operation. Certain other injuries may also occasionally require surgery. For example, an operation
may be needed to repair a torn knee ligament.
7. _______________________ Depending on the type of injury you have, it can take a few weeks to a few
months or more to make a full recovery. You shouldn't return to your previous level of activity until
you have fully recovered, but you should aim to gently start moving the injured body part as soon as
possible. Gentle exercises should help to improve the areas range of movement. As movement
 becomes easier and the pain decreases, stretching and strengthening exercises can be
introduced. Make sure you don't try to do too much too quickly, as this can prolong your recovery
time. Start by doing frequent repetitions of a few simple exercises, before gradually increasing the
amount you do. In some cases, you may benefit from the help of a professional, such as
a physiotherapist or sports injury specialist, who can design a suitable recovery program and advise
you about which exercises you should do and the number of repetitions.

QUESTIONS

1. If you have a minor injury, like a mild sprain what should you do?
2. Where should you go if you have a major injury like a broken bone?
3. During corrective surgery, what helps to fix the bones?
4. One of the typical signs of a sprained ankle is s…………………………… .
5. If you are recovering from a long-term injury you may benefit from p……..……………………. .