12 Feb Basic Sports Injury Care

Some sports injuries are rather dramatic such as the athlete who is knocked out or a player who cannot walk due to a broken leg. However, many injuries are not so obvious and there may be uncertainty on what to do or where to go to get evaluated. Check out this post on the best recommended responses after a child suffers a sports injury.

This blog post does not intend to diagnose or treat any injury or illness and should not replace evaluation by appropriate medical professionals. In any case of a suspected injury or illness, do not hesitate to contact your child’s physician or seek immediate medical care.

Related topic: Why Should We Select ActiveKidMD

WHAT ARE SOME CONCERNING SIGNS OF A SPORTS INJURY?

• Any limp or limited use of an arm or leg
• Any change in technique to protect an injured area
• Obvious swelling or bleeding
• Dramatic fall-off in performance (running speed, usual aggressiveness
• Discomfort that is greater than usual post-activity soreness or lasts more than 1-2 hours after a game or practice
• Pain greater than 2-3/10 on the 1-10 athlete self-reported pain grading scale (1= no pain, 10=major pain)

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY CHILD GETS HURT?

While nobody expects a parent or athlete to diagnose or treat injuries, some basic first aid and a bit of common sense can be of help.

• In any injury situation, if there are any doubts about the severity of the injury, do not try to move the athlete.
• Try to remain calm and dial 911 to activate the emergency response system.
• No one should ever fault you for holding up the game or practice and calling for trained medical help.

For most bone and joint injuries, use the following tips to reduce pain and swelling while trying to maintain safe motion:

• Rest
  • Remove the player from activity and evaluate the injury to the best of your ability.
  • The athlete should not return to activity until they can run, jump, cut, turn and do sport-specific motions (kick, throw, serve) without any limitations or change in technique.  If there are any doubts, get a qualified evaluation.
• Protect
  • This includes using crutches, splints, or slings, especially if there is pain or a sense of instability when trying to walk or use the injured area
  • Realize that prolonged immobilization or crutch use can complicate an injury, thus expert evaluation is key
  • Allow limited and relatively pain-free range of motion (such as bending the knee, ankle or elbow)
  • Ace wraps or other large bandages applied firmly (but not too tightly) around the injury site can also help reduce swelling and pain.

How about ice?

• For years, ice was a standard treatment after injuries. Now there is concern that ice or cold may slow recovery and some athletes do not have reduced pain or swelling with ice or cold packs. So, the decision to use ice/cold is more of an individualized decision

• If used, ice or cold should be applied for 20-minute intervals every 1-2 hours in those first few days after injury

• Elevation
  • This is probably the most important way to reduce excessive swelling after an injury
  • Keep the injured body part above the level of the heart
  • This may require propping a leg on pillows when seated or even using those pillows under the leg for sleep

WHEN SHOULD I CALL YOU RIGHT AWAY OR SEEK MORE URGENT/EMERGENT MEDICAL CARE?

Injuries that deserve more immediate medical evaluation may include:

1. Obvious bone deformities, bones/joints that look “out of place” or any injuries with open skin
2. No ability to move arms or legs
3. Legs or arms turning abnormal colors (especially pale, blue or bright red)
4. Increasing levels of pain
5. Any injury which causes great concern for the athlete or parent
6. Possible head injury with vomiting, worsening headache, loss of consciousness, or child acting less aware of things going on around them

RELATED TOPIC: CONCUSSION INFORMATION

For any of these injuries, an emergency room visit is recommended to evaluate and offer immediate treatment to your injured child. Please do not hesitate to contact us either on the road to/after the emergency room visit so we are aware of the injury and can plan appropriate follow-up.

If a sports injury does not need an emergency room visit, please contact the office by phone or e-mail to schedule an appointment.

Contact us first to obtain specialist pediatric and sports medicine advice and recommendations after any sports injury.  We offer our patients and families same-day evaluations either in-office or through telemedicine. The telemedicine option can be used during regular office hours, after-hours, on weekends/holidays, and even from the court or field.

ALWAYS CALL US TO SCHEDULE A SPECIALTY POST-INJURY EVALUATION.

Even if there was an Emergency Room or Urgent Care visit, it is important to schedule an office appointment within a few days of the injury. This will give us an opportunity to develop an individualized treatment plan to best serve your young athlete. The post-injury rehabilitation plan developed by a sports medicine physician might be the most important difference between a safe and efficient return-to-play or prolonged disability and recurrent injury.

Often right after an injury occur, higher levels of pain and swelling limit the initial physical examination. A visit within 3-4 days after the injury may allow a more involved exam and give a better idea about what is going on.

During any post-injury evaluation, further imaging or other tests may be needed to better evaluate the injury and give a more accurate diagnosis.

In most cases, there are exercises or alternate activities that can be done to aid in the healing process. I may recommend working with physical therapists or athletic trainers (specialists in rehabilitating and strengthening athletes), while special braces/supports and medications may also be needed.

Regular follow-up visits are often scheduled to determine when an athlete can safely advance in the rehabilitation program.

ActiveKidMD is available for immediate consultation after a sports injury. We have efficient and immediate access to x-ray and other imaging and can often reduce the need for extra emergency room or urgent care visits.