Sports injuries
Most minor sports injuries are preventable. To help avoid injuries, participants should maintain fitness, train adequately, play to standard, use the correct equipment and clothing and cease activity as soon as a suspected injury occurs.
Most sports are either contact sports, like rugby and karate or non-contact sports like tennis, skateboarding, swimming and cricket. Some sports, such as netball and water polo, are essentially non-contact, but unavoidable person-to-person contact does occur.
Certain types of injury are particular to certain sports, as an example, facial injuries are more prevalent in contact sports such as rugby than in non-contact sports such as tennis.
Most major sports injuries can be recognised by their attendant signs and symptoms and treatment can be provided as required. Head injuries, concussion, lacerations, soft tissue injuries and fractures, are recognisable and can be effectively treated by anyone trained in basic first aid.
Certain other sports injuries are more common and may require more specific first aid treatment. Some common types are addressed below:
- Muscle cramps. Caused by over-stretching muscles or by abnormal muscle contraction. They may also be associated with loss of fluid due to excessive sweating. Characterised by pain, tenderness, loss of power and stiffening or spasms of the muscles. Muscles respond to rest, application of an ice pack and subsequent gentle stretching. DO NOT massage the affected muscles.
- Chest cramps (or 'stitches'). Usually caused by cramps of the intercostal muscles between the ribs or the diaphragm high in the abdomen. Brought on by exertion, chest cramps are identified by sharp, spasmodic pain in the chest, difficulty in standing upright and gasping respirations. A 'stitch' will disappear with rest and concentration on deep breathing.
- Winding. Caused by a blow to the abdomen which temporarily 'paralyses' the diaphragm. Characterised by breathing difficulty, gasping attempts to breathe, lack of chest movement, bending at the waist and 'guarding' the abdomen. The casualty should be placed in a reclining position and reassured until they regain the ability to breathe. DO NOT 'pump' the casualty's legs, as this delays recovery.
- Tennis elbow. This injury is due to a strain of the tendons and muscles associated with the elbow. Severe cases also involve the ligaments. It is usually a chronic condition and presents when the elbow is over used or over stretched. Tennis elbow is characterised by pain, usually centred over the bone on the outer side of the joint that becomes more severe on movement. The casualty may need medical attention for pain relief, so application of an ice pack and support in a sling, as well as a visit to hospital, is advised.
- Shin splints. This injury is due to a strain of the long flexor muscle of the toes, characterised by pain along the shinbone. This is an injury common to track athletes and footballers. First aid is rest, application of an ice pack and elevation of the limb. Repetitive injury should be examined and treated by a medical professional.
- Other sports injuries should be treated as they present and medical aid sought as a matter of course. Injuries sustained by many athletes are chronic and recur on a regular basis. If these injuries are in the form of sprains and strains, they may require support in the form of strapping or taping. Provided a doctor has assessed the athlete and no other form of treatment has been prescribed, strapping may be applied by a qualified person to support the injured part.
- Groin and testicle injuries. Caused by a blow to the groin or by over-stretching the associated muscles. Characterised by pain to the groin region, sometimes nausea or vomiting. The casualty will be unable to stand upright and will 'guard' the injured area with his hands. The casualty should be placed on his back with knees slightly bent and have an ice pack applied with caution to the injury site. Seek medical aid.
Stroke
According to the National Stroke Foundation, stroke is Australia's second single greatest killer after coronary heart disease and a leading cause of disability. Australians suffered around 60,000 new and recurrent strokes in 2010.
Types of Stroke
A stroke can happen in two main ways. Either there is a blood clot or plaque that blocks a blood vessel in the brain or a blood vessel in the brain breaks or ruptures.
Blocked artery (causes an ischaemic stroke)
A stroke caused by a blood clot is called an ischaemic stroke. In everyday life, blood clotting is beneficial. When you are bleeding from a wound, blood clots work to slow and eventually stop the bleeding. In the case of stroke, however, blood clots are dangerous because they can block arteries and cut off blood flow.
About 4 out of every 5 strokes are ischaemic. There are two ways an ischaemic stroke can occur.
Bleed in the brain (causes an haemorrhagic stroke)
Strokes caused by a break in the wall of a blood vessel in the brain are called haemorrhagic strokes. This causes blood to leak into the brain, again stopping the delivery of oxygen and nutrients. Haemorrhagic stroke can be caused by a number of disorders which affect the blood vessels, including long-standing high blood pressure and cerebral aneurysms.
An aneurysm is a weak or thin spot on a blood vessel wall. The weak spots that cause aneurysms are usually present at birth. Aneurysms develop over a number of years and usually don't cause detectable problems until they break.
About 1 in every 5 strokes is haemorrhagic. There are two types of haemorrhagic stroke.
Mini stroke
A Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) is sometimes termed a minor stroke or "mini stroke". When the signs of stroke are present but go away within 24 hours, the term TIA is used. The causes and symptoms of a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) are similar to those of a stroke.
TIA episodes usually last only a few minutes but may last for several hours. They generally disappear quickly and unfortunately, are often ignored. Just like a stroke, a TIA will require emergency treatment. About 1 in 5 people who have a TIA will have a major stroke within the next three months and a large part of the risk occurs in the first few days. TIA should never be ignored.
TIA's should be regarded as a warning sign that the person is at risk of a stroke and should be investigated promptly.
It is important that if stroke symptoms occur the person sees a doctor promptly, even if the signs go away and you feel completely better. The doctor will try to find the underlying cause of the TIA and then organise treatment to lower your risk of another Transient Ischemic Attack or stroke.
Signs of stroke "F.A.S.T".
Recognise the signs of stroke call 000. A stroke is always a medical emergency.
Using the "F.A.S.T" test involves asking three simple questions:
| Face | Check their face. Has their mouth drooped? |
| Arm | Can they lift both arms? |
| Speech | Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you? |
| Time | Is critical. If you see any of these signs call 000 straight away |
Facial weakness, arm weakness and difficulty with speech are the most common signs of stroke, but they are not the only signs. Other signs of stroke may include one, or a combination of:
- Weakness or numbness or paralysis of the face, arm or leg on either or both sides of the body
- Difficulty speaking or understanding
- Dizziness, loss of balance or an unexplained fall
- Loss of vision, sudden blurring or decreased vision in one or both eyes
- Headache, usually severe and abrupt onset or unexplained change in the pattern of headaches
- Difficulty swallowing
The signs of stroke may occur alone or in combination and they can last a few seconds or up to 24 hours and then disappear. When symptoms disappear within 24 hours, this episode may be a mini stroke or Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA).
If you or someone else experiences the signs of stroke, no matter how long they last, call 000 immediately.
Effects of Stroke
There are several factors that impact on recovery and the effects of stroke. These factors include:
- Type of stroke
- Location of the blocked or burst artery
- Which area of the brain is damaged
- How much brain tissue is permanently damaged
- Your general health before the stroke
- Your level of activity before the stroke
The brain is divided into several areas that control different functions. These include how you move your body, receive sensory messages (such as touch, sight or smell), use language and think. Because different arteries supply different areas of the brain, where the brain is damaged will determine which functions are affected.
Every stroke is different. Each person affected by stroke will have different problems and different needs. The way in which you might be affected depends on where in the brain the stroke happens and how big the stroke is. A stroke on the right side of the brain generally causes problems on the left side of the body. A stroke on the left side of the brain causes problems on the right side of the body. Some strokes happen at the base of the brain and can cause problems with eating, breathing and moving.
Treatment for stroke
If you or someone else experiences the signs of stroke, no matter how long they last, call triple zero (000) immediately. Stroke is always a medical emergency. Getting fast treatment for stroke can be the difference between death, disability and a good recovery. Call triple zero (000) and warn them it is a possible stroke when the ambulance is sent.
- Place the patient in a position of comfort, taking care that the airway does not become obstructed by drool, mucus or position.
- Make sure that you talk to the patient and constantly Reassure them - talk to the casualty even if unconscious
- If the patient is unconscious place them into the recovery position, constantly monitor them.
- Make sure you maintain their body temperature
Prompt action can help to prevent further damage to the brain and help the casualty make a recovery. Delays in obtaining treatment can result in death or major long-term disabilities.