Parents Guide to at Home Care of Athletic Injuries

Presented by: St Francis Sports Medicine

Acute Injury: has specific mechanism of injury and immediate onset of pain Examples of symptoms seen:

Sudden pain Bleeding Deformity Swelling Disabling Pain

Chronic Injury: no specific mechanism; overuse injury Examples of symptoms seen:

Swelling Pain at beginning activity that may get better once “warmed up” Dull ache when at rest; unexplained pain

Acute vs. Chronic Injury

Discomforting pain: Pain, but still able to continue activity Could limp at first, still able to play through

Disabling pain: (when to be concerned) Pain to point of unable to continue activity Loss of function Noticeable limp or unable to tolerate weight Holding injured extremity in position that is different

from the norm

Discomforting vs. Disabling pain

Certified Athletic Trainer

Primary Healthcare Provide

Sports medicine specialist in consultation with family physician

If ever any doubt, Emergency room

Who Should we see for my child’s injury?

Injury causes severe pain, swelling, or numbness

Unable to tolerate weight on the injured area (disabling pain)

Pain comes progressively worse

When should I see them?

Suspected broken bone Dislocation Cuts that need stitches Any life threatening injury Suspected head injury

When should we go to ER?

When inflammation is suspected use COLD Typically first 24-72 hours we use cold Ice 20-25 minutes

Heat is typically safe to use 1 week after injury

Heat should be used before activity and ice to follow activity Heat 10-15 minutes; important to ensure that heat is not to

warm to avoid burning

NOTE: If any doubt, use COLD.

Should I use heat or cold for injury?

R. elative Rest I. ce C. ompression E. levation

How should I take care of my child's injury at home?

Relative Rest Important part of initial care to ensure proper

healing Ice

20 minutes every 1 ½ to 2 hours with crushed ice or equivalent of. (i.e. frozen bag of corn or peas)

Compression Wrap ice on injured area to hold in place and

compress but not in a constrictive way Elevation

If possible, elevate the injured body part above the heart

What is R.I.C.E.?

Acetaminophen is typically used for pain Ex: Tylenol

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory (NSAID) medications are typically used when inflammation is suspected Aspirin, Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or Aleve

NOTE: It is very important to consult with family physician for choice selection or any questions. It is better to ask then to have your child take the wrong medication.

What medicine should I give my child for injury?

It is important to check in regularly with athletic trainer throughout injury process for follow-up and progression

After released by doctor, see Athletic Trainer for Functional Progression Program Group of sport specific functional activities that athlete

must pass before return to play Program encompasses the following areas:

Strength Proprioception Agility Power Speed Confidence for return to play

When should they return to play?