Basic Sports Injury Care

• In an injury situation, if there is any doubt about the severity of the injury, do not try to move the athlete.
• Remain calm and dial 911 to activate the emergency response system.
• Do not hesitate to postpone the game or practice session while waiting for medical help to arrive.

• Any limp or limited use of an arm or leg
• Any change in technique to protect an injured area
• Obvious swelling or bleeding
• Dramatic change in the young athlete’s performance (running speed, usual aggressiveness)
• Discomfort that is greater than usual post-activity soreness or lasts more than 1-2 hours after a game or practice
• Pain greater than 2-3 on the 1-10 self-reported pain grading scale (1= no pain, 10=major pain)

• Remove the player from activity and evaluate the injury to the best of your ability.
• The athlete should not return to activity until he/she can run, jump, cut, turn and do sport-specific motions (kick, throw, serve) without any limitations or change in technique.
• If there is any doubt, get a qualified evaluation.
• Realize that prolonged immobilization or crutch use can complicate an injury, thus expert evaluation is key.
• Allow limited and relatively pain-free range of motion (such as bending the knee, ankle or elbow).
• Ace wraps or other large bandages applied firmly (but not too tightly) around the injury site can also help reduce swelling and pain.

• For years, ice was a standard treatment after injuries. Now there is concern that ice or cold may slow recovery and some athletes do not have reduced pain or swelling with ice or cold packs. So, the decision to use ice/cold is more of an individualized decision.
• If used, ice or cold should be applied for 20-minute intervals every 1-2 hours in the first few days after injury.
• It is best not to put ice directly on the skin to reduce the risk of frostbite-like damage. Instead, use a bag or towel between ice and the skin.

The most important way to reduce excessive swelling after an injury is to keep the injured body part above the level of the heart. This may require propping a leg on pillows when seated or even using those pillows under the leg for sleep

When You Should Seek More Urgent/Emergent Medical Care

Injuries that deserve more immediate medical evaluation may include:

• Obvious bone deformities, bones/joints that look “out of place” or any injuries with open skin.
• No ability to move arms or legs.
• Legs or arms turning abnormal colors (especially pale, blue or bright red).
• Increasing levels of pain.
• Any injury which causes great concern for the athlete or parent.
• Possible head injury with vomiting, worsening headache, loss of consciousness, or child acting less aware of things going on around him/her.

We urge parents and caregivers to keep a first aid kit in their car.