INJURIES TO THE THIGH LEG AND KNEE SKELETAL

INJURIES TO THE THIGH, LEG, AND KNEE • SKELETAL INJURIES • SOFT TISSUE INJURIES

SKELETAL INJURIES • • SKELETAL INJURIES SUCH AS: Femoral Fracture Patellar Fracture Dislocation of the Knee (tibiofemoral joint)

• • • SOFT TISSUE INJURIES SUCH AS: Thigh Contusion Thigh Strains Inflamed Bursae Patellar Dislocation/Subluxation Osgood-Schlatter Disease Jumper’s Knee Menisci Injuries Knee Ligament Injuries (mcl, acl, pcl, and lcl)

FRACTURED FEMUR • • • SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS - Pain at the site of injury - Difficulty moving affected leg - Swelling and/or deformity may occur - More than likely a one-trauma acute injury • - The athlete will tell you they felt a SEVERE snap or pop at time of injury

FRACTURED FEMUR • FIRST AID CARE • Be prepared to treat the athlete for shock if necessary. Keep victim warm w/ blankets. • Medical staff will splint the injured leg with a traction splint • Apply sterile dressing to any open wounds P. R. I. C. E!! • Medical staff will monitor vital signs and circulation to lower leg • Call ambulance immediately!!

FRACTURED PATELLA -”Kneecap Fracture” SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: - SEVERE pain at fracture site - “Catching” or locking of knee - Tenderness when pressing kneecap against underlying bones - Numbness and coldness beyond fracture site if blood supply is impaired

FRACTURED PATELLA FIRST AID: Keep person warm with blankets to decrease shock risk. Cut away clothing. DON’T move the injured knee to remove clothing! Medical staff will immobilize the hip joing and ankle joint before transport. P. R. I. C. E!! Call ambulance immediately!

DISLOCATED “KNEECAP” SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: A feeling of the knee “giving way” EXCRUTIATING pain in the knee at the time of the injury! Complete loss of function in knee Visible deformity in knee if locked in dislocated position Tenderness and swelling over entire knee Numbness below dislocation from pressure or pinching of blood vessels

DISLOCATED “KNEECAP” FIRST AID MEASURES: Keep person warm to decrease shock possibility Cut away clothing if possible. Don’t move injured area Immobilize the knee, hip and ankle joints with padded splints P. R. I. C. E. Call Ambulance Immediately! The doctor will realign the dislocated bones with surgery or without This should be done as soon as possible!

THIGH CONTUSION SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: Swelling of the Thigh Pain and Tenderness in the thigh Discoloration of the skin, BLACK AND BLUE

THIGH CONTUSION P. R. I. C. E.

HAMSTRING STRAIN An injury to the hamstring tendon. Mild Strain: Slightly pulled muscle. No loss of strength Moderate Strain: Tearing of fibers of muscle, tendons, or attachments to bone Strength is diminished Severe Strain: Rupture of muscle, tendon, bone attachment with separation. Severe strain requires surgery.

HAMSTRING STRAIN SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: Pain when moving or stretching the leg Muscle spasm of injured muscles Swelling over the injury Weakened leg Crackling feeling and sound when injured area is pressed with fingers

HAMSTRING STRAIN FIRST AID: P. R. I. C. E

KNEE EXPLAINED • http: //www. sports-injury-info. com/kneeanatomy-video. html

KNEE BURSITIS BURSA: A small fluid-filled sac located in many parts of the body to help reduce friction between bony surfaces. INFLAMMATION OF A BURSA IN THE KNEE. Varying degrees of bursitis: Mild pain to Excruciating Pain There are bursas in the knee in the following areas: In front and behind kneecap On both sides of the knee Behind the knee Just above the knee

KNEE BURSITIS SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: Pain, especially when moving the knee Tenderness Swelling Redness Limitation of motion in knee THIS CONDITION USUALLY OCCURS OVER TIME

TREATENT FOR KNEE BURSITIS ICE MASSAGE: Take a styrofoam cup, fill it with water and freeze it. Cut opening on bottom of cup and massage area for 15 minutes. 3 -4 times daily After 72 hours apply heat to injured area Hot soaks, showers, heating pads Elevate as much as possible.

KNEE CARTILAGE INJURY MENISCUS INJURY DAMAGE TO CARTILAGE IN THE KNEE AT THE TOP OF THE TIBIA Usually accompanied by dislocation or ligament sprains.

KNEE CARTILAGE INJURY MENISCUS INJURY SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: Pain and Tenderness in the knee, especially when bearing weight Locking of the knee joint “Giving way” of the knee “Water” on the knee (sometimes)

KNEE CARTILAGE INJURY TREATMENT FIRST AID MEASURES: Keep person warm to decrease shock possibility Cut away clothing if possible. Don’t move injured area Immobilize the knee, hip and ankle joints with padded splints P. R. I. C. E. Call Ambulance Immediately!

COLLATERAL and CRUSCIATELIGAMENT INJURIES One of the more common injuries to knee ligaments in sports is a SPRAIN to the collateral ligaments. Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)

MEDIAL COLLATERAL LIGAMENT INJURY Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) THE MOST COMMON Occurs when opponent is blocked or hits the athlete’s leg and knee from outside. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: Athlete reports knee was forced beyond limit. Pain at site of injury Swelling Feeling of UNSTABLE KNEE May have heard SNAP or POP!

LATERAL COLLATERAL LIGAMENT INJURY Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) Occurs when opponent is blocked or hits the athlete’s leg and knee from inside. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: Athlete reports knee was forced beyond limit. Pain at site of injury Swelling Feeling of UNSTABLE KNEE May have heard SNAP or POP!

ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT INJURY Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Occurs when athlete makes a very quick cut on a hard surface, gets hit from behind, or when the femur gets pushed backward while the tibia is being held in place (contact sport situation) SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: Athlete reports knee was forced beyond limit. Pain at site of injury Swelling Feeling of UNSTABLE KNEE May have heard SNAP or POP!

MCL, LCL, AND ACL TREATMENT FIRST AID MEASURES: Keep person warm to decrease shock possibility Cut away clothing if possible. Don’t move injured area Immobilize the knee, hip and ankle joints with padded splints P. R. I. C. E. Call Ambulance Immediately!

OSGOOD-SCHLATTERS A disease typically a problem at the junction of the patellar tendon and the tibial tuberosity in the adolescent athlete. There must be a growth plate at the site of the tibial tuberosity. Unique to young adults and children. Constant jumping creates a pull of the patellar tendon and it’s attachment at the tibial tuberosity causing inflammation and swelling just below the patella.