Sports Injury

Soft tissue injuries Sprain, cramp, strain Fractures Wounds / Bleeding Heat exhaustion Medical emergencies heart attack

TREATMENT FOR SOFT TISSUE INJURIES

R est I ce C ompress
E levate

Send casualty to hospital if necessary.

FRACTURES
A BREAK, SPLIT or CRACK in a bone.

Closed Fracture

Open Fracture

CAUSE OF FRACTURES

Direct Force

Indirect Force

CLOSED FRACTURES AND DISLOCATIONS

Recognition Pain, increased by movement. Shortening, or unnatural shape to the limb. Tenderness, swelling, and bruising at the site.
There will have been a violent blow or fall, and there may have been a snapping sound on impact.

CLOSED FRACTURES AND DISLOCATIONS

Treatment Carefully steady and support the injured part with your hands, holding above and below the injury. If necessary, gently straighten a bent limb so you can immobilise it. Always pull straight and steadily in the natural line of the bone. Stop if pain is too great.

CLOSED FRACTURES AND DISLOCATIONS

Treatment Use towels and bandages to immobilise the injured limb. Immobilise lower limb fractures against the sound leg, with padding between them. Immobilise upper limb fracture against the trunk in a sling.

CLOSED FRACTURES AND DISLOCATIONS

Treatment Call for an Ambulance. Treat for shock. Raise the injured limb if possible without causing pain or further injury. Every 10 minutes, check circulation beyond the bandages and loosen them if necessary.
DO NOT move the casualty until the injury is supported and immobilised (unless it is dangerous to stay where he is). DO NOT let the casualty have anything to eat or drink.

OPEN FRACTURES
Recognition

Pain, increased by movement. Shortening, or unnatural shape to the limb. Wound, with broken end of bone visible.
There will have been a violent blow or fall, and there may have been a snapping sound on impact.

OPEN FRACTURES
Treatment

Working from the uninjured side, cover the wound with a sterile dressing. Apply pressure around the bone to control bleeding

OPEN FRACTURES
Treatment

Place cotton wool or padding over and around the dressing.

If bone protrudes from wound, treat as an embedded object. Build up non-fluffy padding around the bone until it is higher than the bone.

OPEN FRACTURES
Treatment

Bandage dressing and padding securely to control bleeding, but without restricting circulation.
Immobilise the injured part, as for a closed fracture.

OPEN FRACTURES
Treatment Call for an Ambulance. Treat for shock. Every 10 minutes, check circulation beyond the bandages and loosen them if necessary.
DO NOT move the casualty until the injury is supported and immobilised (unless it is dangerous to stay where he is). DO NOT let the casualty have anything to eat or drink. DO NOT press directly on a protruding bone end.

EFFECTS OF EXTREME HEAT

HEAT EXHAUSTION

Usually develops gradually and is caused by loss of salt and water from the body through excessive sweating.

HEAT EXHAUSTION
Recognition Feeling hot, exhausted and weak.

Headache.
Thirst and nausea. Giddiness and faintness. Pale, cool, clammy skin.

HEAT EXHAUSTION
Recognition Cramps in the arms, legs or the abdominal wall. Rapid, weak pulse. Rapid breathing and shortness of breath.

HEAT EXHAUSTION
Treatment Move casualty to a cool place with circulating air. Lay casualty down. Raise casualtys legs. Loosen tight clothing and remove unnecessary garments.

Sponge with cold water.

Give fluids to drink.

HEAT EXHAUSTION
Treatment Fan the casualty. Monitor and record breathing, pulse, and response every 10 minutes. Even if casualty recovers quickly, ensure he sees a doctor.

HEATSTROKE
When sweating the bodys natural cooling system ceases, the body temperature may rise to 40C or more. If not treated promptly by cooling the body and replacing fluids lost through excessive perspiration, heatstroke will develop.

HEATSTROKE
Recognition High body temperature of 40C or more.

Flushed, dry skin.

Initially a pounding, rapid pulse which gradually weakens. Headache, nausea and / or vomiting.

HEATSTROKE
Recognition Dizziness and visual disturbances.

Irritability and mental confusion.

Altered mental state which may progress to seizures and unconsciousness.

HEATSTROKE
Treatment Remove casualty to a cool place. Remove all outer clothing. Loosen tight clothing. Keep the head and shoulders raised. Wrap with a cold, wet sheet and fan the casualty.

HEATSTROKE
Treatment If the casualty starts to shiver, wrap with a dry sheet and take temperature. If temperature falls to 38C, stop active cooling. Give frequent sips of cool water if casualty is fully conscious. If casualty becomes unconscious, turn to recovery position. Call for an ambulance.

TYPE OF WOUND

Abrasion or Graze Wound

BRUISES

Internal bleeding seeping through the tissues causes bruises.

TREATMENT FOR MINOR EXTERNAL BLEEDING

Direct pressure.

Elevation.
Small adhesive dressing. Medical aid need only be sought if the
bleeding does not stop, or if the wound is at special risk of infection.

Protecting yourself

Use disposable gloves. Wash hands well in soap and water before
and after treatment.

Cover any sores or open wounds with

waterproof adhesive dressing.

Elevate and Dressing

Elevate the wounded part above the level of

the heart.

Apply adhesive dressing. If there is a special risk of infection, advise

to see doctor.

DIRECT PRESSURE

Apply direct pressure over the wound with your fingers or palm, preferably over a sterile dressing or clean pad.

DIRECT PRESSURE

Raise and support an injured limb above

the level of the casualtys heart.

Lay the casualty down. Apply sterile dressing.

DIRECT PRESSURE

Bandage it in place firmly, but not so

tightly as to impede the circulation. If bleeding seeps through the dressing, bandage another firmly over the top.

HEART ATTACK
Recognition Central chest pain, spreading often to the jaw and down the left arm. Breathlessness and discomfort high in abdomen, often feeling similar to severe indigestion. Sudden faintness or giddiness. Ashen skin and blueness at the lips.

A rapid, weak or irregular pulse.

Collapse, often without any warning.

HEART ATTACK
Treatment Help victim to a half sitting position, with the casualtys head and shoulders well supported and his knees bent.

HEART ATTACK
Treatment Call for Ambulance, state that you suspect a heart attack.

Constantly monitor and record the casualtys breathing and pulse rates.
Prepare for CPR if necessary.

Prepare by : Dr. Tan Kean Chye

State Medical Officer St. John Ambulance of Malaysia State of Penang