Muscle Injuries Symptoms Classification of Injuries SHMD 249

Muscle Injuries *Symptoms *Classification of Injuries SHMD 249 9/05/2013 1

Injury Timeline INJURY DOCTOR PHYSIO BIOKINETICIST X-Ray Massage Exercise Therapy Ultrasound ROM RETURN TO SPORT MAINTENANCE REHAB Ultra-sound therapy 2

Classification of Injuries • 3 degrees of severity of injury: 1. First degree: • least severe • Minor stretching of ligaments/tendons/muscle • Mild pain • Some swelling & joint stiffness • Very little loss of joint stability 3

Classification of Injuries 2. Second degree: • Moderate stretching & tearing of some ligaments/tendons/muscle • Increased swelling & pain • Increased loss of range of motion • Moderate loss of joint stability 4

Classification of Injuries 3. Third degree: • Most severe • Complete tear/rupture of one or more ligaments/tendons/muscle • Massive swelling & severe pain • Complete loss of range of motion • Complete loss of joint stability 5

Classification of Injuries • Traumatic Injuries This injury is the result of a specific incident and it occurs immediately. • Overuse Injuries This injury is the result of unaccustomed or excessive, repetitive movements or activities. 6

Classification of Injuries • There are common causes of overuse injuries: – Poor general fitness and flexibility – Using incorrect techniques while performing certain activity – Unprepared, sudden increase or change in activity – Poor environment or unsuitable equipment – And the most common causes of soft tissue injury are: too much, too often, too soon. 7

Symptoms • Pain & swelling most common symptoms – cause decreased functionality. • Bruising can also be expected. • Swelling & bruising are the result of ruptured blood vessels, and this will in turn produce heat & inflammation. • Injured area may look red & feel hot as blood vessels in damaged area dilate. 8

Symptoms • Inflammation: – Is the body’s protection mechanism. – Stops/restricts movement to prevent further damage from occurring while the body repairs itself. – Prevents ‘toxins’ from spreading throughout the rest of the body. • Too much of an inflammatory response in the early stage can mean that the healing process takes longer and a return to activity is delayed. 9

Repair • 12 hours – 4 days: – Body’s clotting mechanism seals the end of torn blood vessels so that further blood plasma cannot escape into surrounding tissues. – Cells become active & new capillary blood vessels buds form & gradually establish a new circulation in the area. – Absorption of swelling. – Removal of debris and blood clot. – Development of initial fibrous scar tissue. 10

Scar Tissue • Damaged tissue is repaired by ‘scar tissue’. • Scar tissue has ‘plastic’ properties: it can be stretched & ‘molded’. • Scar is not elastic like muscle & will form in a haphazard pattern: ‘kinks & curls’ which will contract & shorten if not stretched daily for a few months after injury. • Very important for scar tissue to be stretched and from parallel ‘lines’ to give the muscle strength. • Stretching ensures the scar is molded to the desired length & improve the strength of the healed ‘scar’. • Thus reducing the risk of re-injury. 11

Psychological Response To Injury • Response varies: – From person to person. – Within an individual alone. • Depending on when injury occurs: – Start/middle of training season. – During major competition. 12

Psychological Response To Injury • Early Reactions: – Shock – Disbelief • Followed by further responses: – – – – Denial Anger Depression Tension Helplessness Acceptance Adaptation Re-organization 13