Muscle InjuriesMuscle Injuries*Symptoms*Symptoms

*Classification of *Classification of InjuriesInjuries

SHMD 249SHMD 249

9/05/20139/05/2013

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Injury TimelineInjury Timeline

INJURY DOCTOR

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Classification of InjuriesClassification of Injuries

• 3 degrees of severity of injury:3 degrees of severity of injury:

1.1. First degree: First degree:

• least severe

• Minor stretching of ligaments/tendons/muscle

• Mild pain

• Some swelling & joint stiffness

• Very little loss of joint stability

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Classification of InjuriesClassification of Injuries

2.2. Second degree: Second degree:

• Moderate stretching & tearing of some ligaments/tendons/muscle

• Increased swelling & pain

• Increased loss of range of motion

• Moderate loss of joint stability

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Classification of InjuriesClassification of Injuries

3.3. Third degree: 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

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Classification of InjuriesClassification of Injuries

• Traumatic InjuriesTraumatic Injuries

This injury is the result of a specific incident

and it occurs immediately.

• Overuse InjuriesOveruse Injuries

This injury is the result of unaccustomed or

excessive, repetitive movements or

activities.

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Classification of InjuriesClassification of Injuries

• There are common causes of overuse 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.

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SymptomsSymptoms

• 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.

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SymptomsSymptoms

• Inflammation: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 Too much of an inflammatory response in the early stage can mean

that the healing process takes longer and a return to activity is that the healing process takes longer and a return to activity is

delayed.delayed.

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RepairRepair

• 12 hours – 4 days: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.

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Scar TissueScar 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.

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Psychological Response To InjuryPsychological 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.

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Psychological Response To InjuryPsychological Response To Injury

• Early Reactions:– Shock– Disbelief

• Followed by further responses:– Denial– Anger– Depression– Tension– Helplessness– Acceptance– Adaptation– Re-organization

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