Physical Education and Health:

Living a Healthy Lifestyle

 Chapter 8
Sports Injury Management
 Lesson Objectives
• To identify sports injuries that are
life-threatening
• To know how to manage acute and
chronic injuries
 Is Injury Evaluation the
Same as Diagnosis?
No. The diagnostic process, which must only be done by a
medical doctor, accounts all the information needed to see a
holistic picture of the cause and severity of the injury such as
patient’s history, comprehensive physical examination,
special tests, and diagnostic tests (e.g., MRI, X-ray), among
others. On the other hand, the goal of the injury evaluation
process, which can be done by a coach or an athletic trainer,
is to rule out the presence of a severe injury or a life-
threatening condition, how to transport the patient, and the
appropriate first aid while transporting the patient.
 What Sports Injuries Can
Lead to Death?
• Concussion or traumatic brain injury
• Cardiac arrest
• Shock
 Classification of Concussion

Category Description Characteristics

Grade I Mild No loss of consciousness,
condition normalizes in
less than 15 minutes
Grade II Moderate No loss of consciousness,
condition normalizes
beyond 15 minutes
Grade III Severe Loss of consciousness
How Could a Life-threatening
Condition Be Determined?
• Unconsciousness
• Not breathing
Management of Acute Injuries
If the Injury Is Deemed Non-life-
threatening, What’s Next?
 Questions That Can Help When
Performing Secondary Inspection

• How is the athlete positioned?

• Is there an obvious deformity, bleeding, skin
discoloration, etc.?
• Are there unusual bumps and bruises?
• Is the bone and joint aligned normally?
• Does the athlete complain of more pain when
more pressure is applied?
 Questions That Can Help in
Identifying the Location and
Mechanism of Injury
• What body part of the athlete needs support?
• What body part can he/she not move?
• Did the athlete feel or hear any popping or
snapping sound?
• Was there a contact before the athlete
complained of pain?
• What was the athlete doing before he/she
complained of pain?
 Questions That Can Help When
Performing a Gross Motor Check
• Can the athlete move the injured limb on
his/her own?
• Can the athlete move his/her limb throughout
its entire range of motion?
• Can the athlete sustain the movement when
resistance is applied?
• Does the athlete limp when he/she walks?
• Does the athlete have a problem balancing
his/her weight?
 Splinting Technique
• Immobilize the limb in the position that is least
painful or in the position it was found.
• Take note of any changes in skin color,
temperature, and sensation.
• Include the joint above and below the fractured
bone in the splint.
• Leave fingers and toes uncovered.
• Apply it firmly without discomfort.
• When using an elastic bandage, apply consistent
tension.
Cervical Arm Sling Technique
 PRICE Principle
• Protect
Protect the injured body part as aggravation will increase the
inflammation.
• Rest
Rest is recommended to give the body part enough time to heal.
• Ice
Ice is commonly used in injuries because it has an analgesic or pain
relieving effect.
• Compression
Another effective method to reduce swelling is to compress the injured
area using an elastic bandage.
• Elevation
Swelling can be reduced by elevating the injured limb higher than the
level of the heart.
Management of Chronic Injuries
Which One Should Be Addressed
First In Wound Care:
Bleeding, or Infection?
The priority care for wounds is to control
bleeding. The second aspect of wound
care is infection prevention.
 How to Stop Bleeding
Bleeding is controlled by applying direct pressure over
the wound. It is recommended that a clean piece of
cloth or dressing is placed over the wound to minimize
infection. Applying direct pressure continuously for 10
minutes is necessary before checking for a blood clot
formation over the wound. Raising the wounded area
higher than the heart also helps in reducing blood flow
to the wound. Tourniquets are effective in controlling
blood loss but it is only performed as a last resort when
bleeding has not stopped through conservative
strategies.
 How to Prevent Infection
Wound cleaning is important to prevent infection. The
process should remove foreign contaminants and
dead tissues. The best way to clean the wound is with
running water because the pressure pushes the dirt
and other materials out of the wound. Do not use
alcohol. Instead, use iodine povidone, which is a good
antiseptic that does not stimulate pain. In addition to
wound cleaning, a dressing may be placed on the
wound to prevent contamination.
Guidelines in Providing Care for
Heat Illness
• Seek shelter that is cold and away from the
sun.
• Replenish fluids and electrolytes by making
the person drink one cup every 30 minutes.
• Stretch the muscle-tendon unit that is
experiencing cramps to relieve tension.
• Decrease body temperature by loosening
clothing, wiping the body with cold towel or
putting an ice pack over the head or neck.
Guidelines in Providing Care for
Heat Illness
• Check body temperature and pulse rate
regularly.
• Bring to the closest medical facility for
intravenous fluid replacement when
temperature is above 40 degree Celsius.
• Do not give anti-fever medication or
caffeinated drinks to the person.