INTRODUCTION INJURY

Acute sports INJURY occur suddenly due to trauma.

Immediate assessment is crucial for effective management and recovery.

Structured injury assessment protocols deliver better standard of care.

CLASSIFICATION OF SPORTS INJURY

• Acute injuries: Sudden onset due to external or internal forces (e.g., fractures, sprains, contusions).
• Chronic injuries: Develop over time due to repetitive stress (e.g., tendinopathy, stress fractures).
• Contact injuries: Result from collisions or direct blows.
• Non-contact injuries: Occur without external impact, often due to biomechanical issues.

COMMON CAUSES OF ACUTE SPORTS INJURIES

• Direct trauma: External impact (e.g., tackles, falls, collisions).
• Indirect trauma: Excessive force causing ligament or muscle tears (e.g., sudden change in direction).
• Overuse leading to acute episodes: Sudden pain or injury due to accumulated stress (e.g., stress fractures progressing to full fractures).
  

TYPES OF ACUTE SPORTS INJURIES

Sprains: Ligament damage due to excessive stretching or tearing.

Strains: Muscle or tendon injuries caused by overextension.

Fractures: Partial or complete break in bones due to forceful impact.

Dislocations/Subluxations: Joints forced out of normal alignment.

Contusions: Bruising caused by direct impact.

BIOMECHANICS OF ACUTE INJURIES

Understanding the forces that cause injury (e.g.. compression, torsion, shear).

Load tolerance: Individual tissue capacity to withstand force.

Kinetic chain involvement: How different body segments contribute to injury risk.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ACUTE INJURIES

Pain and tenderness at the injury site.

Swelling, bruising, or deformity.

Reduced range of motion and strength.

Inability to bear weight or perform normal movements.

IMPORTANCE OF IMMEDIATE INJURY ASSESSMENT

Prevents further damage.

Helps determine injury severity and necessary treatment.

Aids in return-to-play decisions and rehabilitation planning.

THE PRIMARY SURVEY (ON-FIELD ASSESSMENT)

DRABC protocol:

Danger: Ensure a safe environment.

Response: Check athlete’s consciousness.

Airway: Assess for obstructions.

Breathing: Ensure adequate respiration.

Circulation: Check pulse and bleeding.

Identifying life-threatening conditions.

THE SECONDARY SURVEY

The Detailed Assessment (HOPS):

History taking: Mechanism of injury, symptoms, past injuries.

Observation: Swelling, discoloration, deformities.

Palpation: Identifying pain points and structural damage.

Special/Functional tests: Checking range of motion, strength, and stability.

THE SALTAPS ALGORITHM

Use of the SALTAPS Method:

Stop play immediately.

Ask the athlete about pain and symptoms.

Look for swelling, deformity, and discoloration.

Touch (palpate) for pain and tenderness.

Active movement tests by the athlete.

Passive movement tests by the examiner.

Strength testing to determine functional capacity.

THE PRICE PROTOCOL FOR IMMEDIATE CARE

Protection (prevent further injury).

Rest (limit movement of the affected area).

Ice (reduce pain and swelling).

Compression (control swelling and stabilize the injury).

Elevation (reduce blood pooling and swelling).

THE POLICE PRINCIPLE

Updated Approach:

Protection.

Optimal Loading (gradual movement instead of complete rest).

Ice, Compression, Elevation (as in PRICE protocol).

Encourages controlled movement to aid recovery.

ROLE OF IMAGING IN INJURY ASSESSMENT

X-rays: Detect fractures and dislocations.

MRI: Identifies soft tissue injuries (ligaments, tendons, cartilage).

Ultrasound: Evaluates muscle and tendon damage.

CT scans: Used for complex fractures and joint injuries.

RED FLAGS IN ACUTE INJURY ASSESSMENT

Intense pain or loss of function.

Deformity or open wounds.

Numbness or loss of sensation.

Signs of concussion unconsciousness). (dizziness, confusion,

MANAGEMENT OF SPECIFIC ACUTE INJURIE

Sprains & strains: RICE, rehabilitation exercises.

Fractures: Immobilization, surgery if needed.

Dislocations: Reduction and stabilization.

Contusions: Compression, ice, and protection.

EMERGENCY CARE FOR SEVERE INJURIES

Handling spinal injuries safely.

Managing open fractures and severe bleeding.

Performing CPR in case of cardiac emergencies.
RETURN-TO-PLAY DECISION-MAKING

Criteria for safe return (pain-free, full range of motion, strength).

Functional testing and sport-specific assessments.

Risks of premature return and reinjury.

ROLE OF SPORTS MEDICINE PROFESSIONALS

Team physicians, physiotherapists, athletic trainers.

Injury assessment, rehabilitation, and prevention.

Educating athletes on self-care and injury prevention.
INJURY PREVENTION STRATEGIES

Importance of warm-ups and cooldowns.

Strength and conditioning programs.

Sport-specific biomechanical corrections.

PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF ACUTE INJURIES

Athlete’s emotional response to injury.

Mental strategies for coping with injury and rehabilitation.

Role of sports psychologists in recovery.
ADVANCES IN ACUTE INJURY MANAGEMEN

Regenerative medicine (PRP, stem cell therapy).

Wearable technology for injury monitoring.

Al-assisted injury risk prediction.

FUTURE TRENDS IN INJURY ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT

Telemedicine applications in sports injury care.

Virtual reality for rehabilitation.

Machine learning in injury prediction.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

Acute Sports Injuries are sprains, fractures, contusions, dislocations etc.

Injury Assessment Protocol includes primary (life-threatening) and secondary (detailed) evaluations.

Immediate Management: PRICE and POLICE.

Key Assessment Tools: SALTAPS method, SCAT6 for concussion evaluation, X-ray, MRI, CT etc.

Emergency Considerations: Red flags.

Return-to-Play criteria

Future Trends: Al injury prediction, regenerative medicine, wearable injury monitoring.