SPR709-Athletes Update Aug07
R
rest
8/16/07
10:57 AM
Page 1
The First 48 Hours of Treatment for an
Orthopedic Athletic Injury
By Kevin Allen, MS, ATC, CSCS
I
C
E
ice
compression
elevation
It is Saturday afternoon and your son twists his ankle while playing soccer. Your son has never experienced a sports related injury
before and there is no physician or licensed athletic trainer available to assess his injury. Here are some tips on how you can
manage orthopedic injuries.
It is important to provide a proper first aid assessment. Observe
the injured area by comparing it to the other side. Look for any
deformity. If there is a deformity present or your son is in severe
pain Emergency Medical System (EMS) transport to a medical
facility is warranted. EMS can be summoned by calling 911. If
there is no deformity, he has good sensation in his foot, and he is
not in severe pain you should be able to transport them to the
nearest emergency room.
Treatment is very important to manage pain and
swelling. The acronym RICE is used to describe
treatment used in the first 48 hours.
The acronym RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and
Elevation. Rest is stopping play and if bearing weight causes
pain the athlete should not place weight on the extremity. Place
ice directly on the skin for 20 minutes
Kevin Allen, MS, earned an undergradevery 1-1/2 to 2 hours. If a chemical cold
uate degree from Anderson University
and a master's degree in exercise
pack is used you should place a thin
science from Miami University. He is
paper towel between the cold pack and
a certified athletic trainer and certified
the skin. Compression can be done
as a strength and conditioning specialbetween ice treatments by using an elasist with the Sports Medicine Center. He
is assistant athletic trainer with
tic bandage. Start at the base of the toes
Fairmont H.S. and provides athletic
and gently apply the bandage by covering
training services to the University of
Dayton recreational sports program.
the entire ankle and the lower leg. Leave
the toes exposed. Do not place the bandage on too tight. Make sure you can slide
three fingers width under the wrap and
there is not tingling or numbness in foot.
Do not sleep in the compression wrap
unless ordered by a physician. Elevate the
extremity above heart level to help
reduce swelling. This can be done by
using pillow or towels.
The Region’s Leader
Athlete’s
Update
Keeping you informed about sports-related injuries | Fall 2007
When is an Infection Serious?
Call for an Appointment
By Cory Ellis, MD
It is now Monday morning and your son
is still having difficulties with his ankle.
The emergency room physician did not
recommend or make a referral to an
orthopedic surgeon. You can call the
Miami Valley Hospital’s Sports Medicine
Center at 208-2111 and schedule an
appointment with a primary care
sports medicine physician to provide
follow up care.
Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to
as a “staph”, is a specific type of bacteria.
It is commonly found on human skin. Up
to 30 percent of the healthy population
in some areas is colonized with staph.
Most exposures to staph do not cause
an infection. When an infection does
occur, it is often minor, such as a pimple
or boil, often found in clusters. However,
some infections may become more
serious, causing hospitalization.
Athlete’s Update
Editor – Robin Lensch
For additional information about Athlete’s Update or to
share your comments, call (937) 208-9533.
We will build healthier communities with others who
share our commitment to provide high-quality,
cost-effective health care services.
Help Prevent the Spread
Skin Infections
Preventing the spread of MRSA in
the athletic community should be a
top priority. Good hygiene is an
appropriate first step to practice at
all times.
Skin infections are often staph. They
may appear as pimples, boils, or mistakenly as a spider bite or insect sting. The
area is usually red, swollen, and painful.
The infection may “come to a head” or
have yellowish drainage. If a skin infection is suspected, evaluation by a health
care provider should be sought. A history, physical, and additional testing may
be done to determine appropriate
treatment. The treatment can include
antibiotics and/or draining the infection. If antibiotics are given, the entire
prescription should be finished, even if
the infection has improved to prevent a
more resistant infection later.
1. Wash hands often with soap or
alcohol-based hand sanitizer
2. Shower after workouts, practice,
and games
3. Cover cuts and scrapes with
bandages while avoiding other’s
wounds
4. Avoid sharing personal items
such as towels, wash cloths, and
razors
The Region’s Leader
5. Wash personal items, uniforms
and equipment regularly
Resistance to Antibiotics
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA) is staph that has
developed resistance to commonly used
antibiotics. This resistance makes
effective treatment more difficult.
MRSA infections have become
increasingly more common in the
general public. It is spread via contact
with a colonized or infected person or
surface contaminated with MRSA. Skinto-skin contact, skin cuts or abrasions,
crowded conditions, and poor hygiene
contribute to the spread of MRSA.
Unfortunately, athletic locker rooms
and facilities have many of these
characteristics. Outbreaks of MRSA are
now reported in all levels of athletics.
High school, college, and professional
football teams have all had reported
outbreaks of MRSA.
Cases of MRSA affecting athletes can
be limited with quick recognition and
appropriate medical care in conjunction
with the preventive steps discussed.
Safe participation in sports involves
everyone. Players, coaches, athletic
trainers, and physicians must be aware
of MRSA and take appropriate actions
when suspected.
Much of this information is available from the Center for Disease
Control, ttp://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa_ca.html
Corey Ellis, MD, graduated from
Wright State University and the
University of Cincinnati College of
Medicine. He is board certified in
Family Medicine and has a fellowship
in Primary Care Sports Medicine.
Dr. Ellis is an assistant professor with
Wright State University School of
Medicine in the Department of
Orthopedic Surgery and Family
Medicine.
One Wyoming Street
Dayton, Ohio 45409
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
Dayton, Ohio
Permit No. 79