Common Recreational Sports Injuries
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Carpal-tunnel syndrome:
Discription:
CTS.
It is
a common and disabling condition which interferes with the function of
the hand. It is the result of excessive pressure on the median nerve within
the wrist. Athletes are particularly at risk for compression neuropathy
secondary to repetitive blunt trauma and/or repetitive motion. Although
it is a small percentage of sport related hand injuries, early detection
is critical if a favorable prognosis is desired. Symptoms occur as the
result of compression of the median nerve within the wrist. This nerve
passes through a narrow tunnel of bone and ligament. The transverse carpal
ligament and 8 carpal bones support nine tendons and the median nerve.
Excessive pressure within the wrist may develop secondary to fluid retention
(pregnancy), dislocation/fracture, and degenerative changes as a part of
the natural aging process.
Signs
and Symptoms:
-
Tingling
or numbness in part of the hand
-
Sharp pains
that shoot from the wrist up the arm, especially at night
-
Burning sensations
in the fingers
-
Thumb weakness
-
Frequent
dropping of objects
-
Poor performance
in any sport that requires a strong grip
-
Inability
to make a fist
-
Shiny, dry
skin on the hand
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Causes
and Anatomy involved
Prevention
Treatment
Rehabilitation
/ Exercise
Cartilage injuries:
Discription:
Signs
and Symptoms:
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Causes
and Anatomy involved
Prevention
Treatment
Rehabilitation
/ Exercise
Cold injuries:
Discription:
Chillblains,
Frostbite, Frostnip, Hypothermia, Trench Foot-Immersion Foot.
Occur
when the body is unable to protect itself from the environment. Children
are affected most often because of their large ratio of body surface area
to mass, which predisposes them to rapid heat loss. Elderly people also
are at increased risk because of decreases in the vasoconstriction response
and diminished ability to shiver. And, of course, winter sports participants
are at risk of accidental cold injuries caused by prolonged exposure, wet
clothing, and other factors.
Signs
and Symptoms:
Chillblain:
A nonfreezing cold injury which, while painful, causes little or no permanent
impairment. It can develop in only a few hours in skin exposed to cold.
-
Redness
-
Swelling
-
Tenderness
-
Skin hot
to the touch
-
Itching (sometimes)
Worsen to:
-
aching
-
prickly ("pins
and needles") sensation
-
numbness
Frostbite:
Temporary or permanent tissue damage from exposure to subfreezing temperature.
Ice crystals form in the skin and blood vessels, leading to tissue injury
or tissue death, depending on the temperature and length of exposure.
During
Exposure:
-
Gradual numbness,
hardness and paleness in the affected area.
After Skin
is Rewarmed:
-
Pain and
tingling or burning (sometimes severe) in the affected area, with color
change from white to red, then purple
-
Blisters
(severe cases)
-
Shivering
Frostnip:
Involves freezing of water on the skin surface.
-
Skin will
become reddened and possibly swollen
-
Although
painful, there is usually no further damage after rewarming
-
Repeated
frostnip in the same spot can dry the skin, causing it to crack and become
very sensitive
Hypothermia:
Body temperature falls when the body cannot produce heat as fast as it
is being lost. Hypothermia is a life-threatening condition in which deep-body
temperature falls below 95oF. . Generally, deep-body temperature will not
fall until after many hours of continuous exposure to cold air, if the
individual is healthy, physically active, and reasonably dressed. However,
since wet skin and wind accelerate body heat loss, and the body produces
less heat during inactive periods, body temperature can fall even when
air temperatures are above freezing if conditions are windy, clothing is
wet, and/or the individual is inactive.
Early
hypothermia:
-
Wthdrawn
or bizarre behavior
-
Irritability
-
Confusion
-
Slowed, slurred
speech
-
Altered vision
-
Uncoordinated
movements
-
Unconsciousness
Full hypothermia:
-
May show
no heart beat
-
No breathing
-
Noresponse
to touch or pain when in fact they are still alive
-
The heart
beat and breathing of hypothermia victims will be so faint that it can
go undetected (sometimes)
Trench foot
- Immersion foot: Very serious nonfreezing cold injury which develops when
skin of the feet is exposed to moisture and cold for prolonged periods
(12 hours or longer). The combination of cold and moisture softens skin,
causing tissue loss and, often, infection. Untreated, trenchfoot can eventually
require amputation.
Early
signs:
-
Itching
-
Numbness
-
Tingling
pain
Late signs:
-
Swelling
-
Mildly red
or blue
-
Red or bluish
blotches appear on the skin
-
Open weeping
or bleeding
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Causes
and Anatomy involved
Prevention
Treatment
Rehabilitation
/ Exercise
Contact dermatitis:
Discription:
Skin
inflammation caused by contact with an irritating substance, such as artificial
turf, poorly fitting gear, excessive sweat or repeated application of adhesive
tape.
Signs
and Symptoms:
-
Itching (sometimes)
-
Slight redness
-
Cracks and
fissures in the skin
-
Bright red,
weeping areas (severe cases)
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Causes
and Anatomy involved
Prevention
Treatment
Rehabilitation
/ Exercise
Contusions:
Discription:
Ankle
contusion, Arm contusion, Breast contusion, Bruise, Buttocks contusion,
Cerebral contusion, Clavicle contusion, Elbow contusion, Face contusion,
Foot contusion, Genital contusion, Hand contusion, Hip pointer, Knee contusion,
Leg contusion, Perineum contusion, Shoulder contusion, Thigh contusion,
Wrist contusion.
A superficial
injury in which the skin is not broken, often producing a bruise. There
may be pain, swelling, and a discoloration of the skin. A bruise near a
bone that appears some days after an injury may indicate a fracture and
requires immediate medical attention.
Signs
and Symptoms:
Ankle
contusion: Bruising of skin and underlying tissues of the ankle due to
a direct blow. Contusions cause bleeding from ruptured small capillaries
that allow blood to infiltrate muscles, tendons or other soft tissue. Ankle
contusions are common, but they are not serious injuries.
-
Local swelling--either
superficial or deep
-
Pain and
tenderness over the bruise
-
Feeling of
firmness when pressure is exerted at the injury site
-
Discoloration
under the skin, beginning with redness and progressing to the characteristic
"black and blue" bruise
Arm contusion:
Forearm:
Bruising of skin and underlying tissues of the forearm caused by a direct
blow. Contusions cause bleeding from ruptured small capillaries, allowing
blood to infiltrate muscles, tendons or other soft tissue.
-
Forearm swelling--either
superficial or deep
-
Pain and
tenderness in the forearm
-
Feeling of
firmness when pressure is exerted on the injured area
-
Discoloration
under the skin, beginning with redness and progressing to the characteristic
"black
-
and blue"
bruise
-
Restricted
forearm activity proportional to the extent of injury
Radial nerve:
Injury from a direct blow to the area over the radial nerve in the upper
arm, close to the elbow. Contusions cause bleeding from ruptured small
capillaries that allow blood to infiltrate nerves, muscles, tendons or
other soft tissue.
-
Swelling
at the contusion site--either superficial or deep
-
Pain and
tenderness at the elbow
-
Shocking,
tingling sensation with numbness in the wrist and hand
-
Dropped wrist
and loss of some movement in the fingers and thumb
-
Feeling of
firmness when pressure is exerted at the injury site
-
Discoloration
under the skin, beginning with redness and progressing to the characteristic
"black and blue" bruise
-
Restricted
elbow activity proportional to the extent of injury
Upper-arm:
Bruising of the skin, muscle and underlying tissues of the upper arm due
to a direct blow. Contusions cause bleeding from ruptured small capillaries,
allowing blood to infiltrate muscles, tendons or other soft tissue. Muscle
tissue is damaged most by a contusion in this area.
-
Local swelling--either
superficial or deep
-
Pain and
tenderness over the bruised area
-
Feeling of
firmness when pressure is exerted on the injured area
-
Discoloration
under the skin, beginning with redness and progressing to the characteristic
"black and blue" bruise
-
Restricted
arm activity proportional to the extent of injury
Breast contusion:
Bruising of skin and underlying tissues of the breast or nipple. Contusions
cause bleeding from ruptured small capillaries that allow blood to infiltrate
fatty tissue, muscles, tendons, nerves or other soft tissue.
-
Local swelling
of the breast--either superficial or deep
-
Pain in the
breast or nipple
-
Feeling of
firmness when pressure is exerted on the injury area
-
Tenderness
-
Discoloration
under the skin, beginning with redness and progressing to the characteristic
"black and blue" bruise
-
Hard, tender
ring surrounding the nipple
Buttocks
contusion: Bruising of skin and underlying tissues of the buttock caused
by a direct blow. Contusions cause bleeding from ruptured small capillaries
that allow blood to infiltrate muscles, tendons, nerves or other soft tissue.
-
Swelling
and a hard lump in the injured buttock--either superficial or deep.
-
Pain and
tenderness in the buttock.
-
Feeling of
firmness when pressure is exerted on the buttock.
-
Discoloration
under the skin, beginning with redness and progressing to the characteristic
"black and blue" bruise
Cerebral
contusion: See Head Injuries
Clavicle
contusion: Bruising of skin and underlying tissues at the clavicle (collarbone)
caused by a direct blow. Contusions cause bleeding from ruptured small
capillaries that allow blood to infiltrate muscles, tendons or other soft
tissue. A collarbone contusion is usually accompanied by injury to the
sternum (breastbone) or shoulder joint.
-
Local swelling--either
superficial or deep.
-
Tenderness
over the injury, but no additional pain when moving.
-
Feeling of
firmness when pressure is exerted at the injury site.
-
Discoloration
under the skin, beginning with redness and progressing to the characteristic
"black and blue" bruise.
-
Restricted
shoulder and chest activity proportional to the extent of injury.
Elbow contusion:Bruising
of the skin and underlying tissues of the elbow due to a direct blow. Contusions
cause bleeding from ruptured small capillaries that allow blood to infiltrate
muscles, tendons or other soft tissue. Because skin is so close to bone
in this area, contusion of the elbow is a common injury to athletes.
-
Swelling
in the elbow--either superficial or deep
-
Pain and
tenderness over the elbow
-
Feeling of
firmness when pressure is exerted at the injury site
-
Discoloration
under the skin, beginning with redness and progressing to the characteristic
"black and blue" bruise
-
Restricted
elbow activity proportional to the extent of injury
Ulnar nerve:
Bruising injury from a direct blow to the ulnar nerve where it lies close
to the surface at the elbow. Contusions cause bleeding from ruptured small
capillaries that allow blood to infiltrate the nerve. Direct injury to
the nerve causes damage even if bleeding of capillaries is not a factor.
-
Swelling
in the elbow--either superficial or deep
-
Immediate
pain in the elbow
-
Shocking,
electric sensations extending down to the ring fingers and little fingers
-
Gradually
increasing numbness and pain along the route of the ulnar nerve in the
forearm and hand
-
Atrophy of
muscles in the hand
Face contusion:
Bruising of skin and underlying tissues of the face caused by a direct
blow. Contusions cause bleeding from ruptured small capillaries that allow
blood to infiltrate muscles, tendons or other soft tissue. The face is
particularly vulnerable to contusion because skin is so close to hard,
underlying bone.
-
Local swelling
at the contusion site
-
The swelling
may be round or egg-shaped and superficial or deep
-
Pain and
tenderness over the injury
-
Feeling of
firmness when pressure is exerted on the injured area
-
Discoloration
under the skin, beginning with redness and progressing to the characteristic
"black and blue" bruise
Foot contusion:
Bruising of the skin and underlying tissues of the foot caused by a direct
blow. Contusions cause bleeding from ruptured small capillaries that allow
blood to infiltrate muscles, tendons or other soft tissue.
-
Local swelling--either
superficial or deep
-
Pain and
tenderness over the injury
-
Feeling of
firmness when pressure is exerted at the injury site
-
Discoloration
under the skin, beginning with redness and progressing to the characteristic
"black and blue" bruise
-
Restricted
foot activity proportional to the extent of injury
Genital contusion:
Bruising of the skin and underlying tissues of the external genitals of
the male or female due to a direct blow. Contusions cause bleeding from
ruptured small capillaries that allow blood to infiltrate skin, scrotum,
vaginal lips or other soft tissue.
-
Local swelling
in the genital area--either superficial or deep
-
Pain and
tenderness over the injury
-
Feeling of
firmness when pressure is exerted at the injury site
-
Discoloration
under the skin, beginning with redness and progressing to the characteristic
"black and blue" bruise
-
Restricted
activity in the genital area in proportion to the extent of injury
Hand contusion:
Bruising of the skin and underlying tissues of the hand due to a direct
blow. Contusions cause bleeding from ruptured small capillaries that allow
blood to infiltrate muscles, tendons or other soft tissue. The hand is
especially vulnerable to contusions because of its exposure and use in
almost all sports.
-
Swelling
on the back or in the palm of the hand
-
Swelling
may be superficial or deep. Pain and tenderness over the injury
-
Feeling of
firmness when pressure is exerted on the injured area
-
Discoloration
under the skin, beginning with redness and progressing to the characteristic
"black and blue" bruise
-
Restricted
hand motion proportional to the extent of injury
Hip pointer:
Knee contusion:
Bruising of the skin and underlying tissues of the knee due to a direct
blow. Contusions cause bleeding from ruptured small capillaries that allow
blood to infiltrate muscles, tendons or other soft tissue. The knee is
highly vulnerable to contusions.
-
Swelling--either
superficial or deep
-
Pain and
tenderness over the knee
-
Feeling of
firmness when pressure is exerted on the knee
-
Discoloration
under the skin, beginning with redness and progressing to the characteristic
"black and blue" bruise
-
Restricted
knee activity proportional to the extent of injury
-
Break in
skin over the contusion (frequent in knee injuries)
Leg contusion:
Bruising of the skin and underlying tissues of the lower leg due to a direct
blow. Contusions cause bleeding from ruptured small capillaries that allow
blood to infiltrate muscles, tendons or other soft tissue. The lower leg
is particularly susceptible to contusions because it is frequently exposed
to direct blows. If the blow is over the tibia (shin bone), it is much
more likely to be severe.
-
Swelling--either
superficial or deep
-
Pain at the
contusion site
-
Feeling of
firmness when pressure is exerted on the injury
-
Tenderness
-
Discoloration
under the skin, beginning with redness and progressing to the characteristic
"black and blue" bruise
-
Restricted
leg function proportional to the extent of injury
-
Feeling an
"electric shock" followed by temporary muscle paralysis, causing the foot
to drop
Perineum
contusion: A direct blow to the floor of the pelvis and associated structures
including the genitals, causing bruising of skin and underlying tissues.
Contusions cause bleeding from ruptured small capillaries that allow blood
to infiltrate muscles, tendons, nerves or other soft tissue.
-
Swelling
in the perineal area--either superficial or deep. Pain in the perineum
-
Feeling of
firmness when pressure is exerted from outside
-
Tenderness
-
Discoloration
under the skin beginning with redness and progressing to the characteristic
"black and blue" discoloration
Shoulder
contusion: Bruising of the skin and underlying tissue of the shoulder due
to a direct blow. Contusions cause bleeding from ruptured small capillaries
that allow blood to infiltrate muscles, tendons or other soft tissue.
-
Local swelling--either
superficial or deep
-
Pain at the
site of injury
-
Numbness
and decreased function of the arm and hand if the axillary nerve was seriously
damaged
-
Feeling of
firmness when pressure is exerted on the shoulder
-
Tenderness
-
Discoloration
under the skin, beginning with redness and progressing to the characteristic
"black and blue" bruise
-
Restricted
activity of the shoulder directly proportional to the extent of injury
Shoulder-Blade:
Bruising of skin and underlying tissues caused by a direct blow to the
scapula (shoulder blade or wingbone). Contusions cause bleeding from ruptured
small capillaries that allow blood to infiltrate muscles, tendons, or other
soft tissue.
-
Local swelling--either
superficial or deep
-
Pain and
tenderness over the injury
-
Feeling of
firmness when pressure is exerted on the injured area
-
Discoloration
under the skin, beginning with redness and progressing to the characteristic
"black and blue" bruise
-
Restricted
shoulder-blade motion proportional to the extent of injury
Thigh contusion:
Bruising of skin and underlying tissues of the thigh (between knee and
hip) due to a direct blow. Contusions cause bleeding from ruptured small
capillaries that allow blood to infiltrate muscles, tendons or other soft
tissue. The thigh is well-suited to absorb direct blows, but contusions
do occur here.
-
Swelling
of the thigh--either superficial or deep
-
Pain and
tenderness in the thigh
-
Feeling of
firmness when pressure is exerted at the injury site
-
Discoloration
under the skin, beginning with redness and progressing to the characteristic
"black and blue" bruise
-
Restricted
activity of the injured leg proportional to the extent of injury
Wrist contusion:
Bruising of skin and underlying tissue of the wrist caused by a direct
blow. Contusions cause bleeding from ruptured small capillaries that allow
blood to infiltrate muscles, tendons or other soft tissue.
-
Wrist swelling--either
superficial or deep
-
Wrist pain
and tenderness
-
Feeling of
firmness when pressure is exerted on the injury site
-
Discoloration
under the skin, beginning with redness and progressing to the characteristic
"black and blue" bruise
-
Restricted
wrist motion proportional to the extent of injury
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Causes
and Anatomy involved
Prevention
Treatment
Rehabilitation
/ Exercise
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