Injury Management: Part 1

          As a strength and conditioning specialist, I physically prepare athletes for
competition and also aid in the management of their sports-related injuries
that inevitably occur in practice or competitive play. The type and severity
of injuries can vary greatly, and may potentially place an athlete on the
sidelines for an extended time if not treated promptly and effectively.
In the next series of articles, I will outline some fundamental principles of
injury management, including; how injuries typically occur, treatment
options, and prevention strategies.
         The most common injuries that athletes sustain can be classified as acute or
chronic. An acute injury is one that results from a sudden traumatic force
to a bone, joint (ligament), or tissue (muscle/tendon). Chronic injuries
may result from an acute injury that doesn't heal "properly", or may simply
be a gradual deterioration of support structure function due to continual
"wear and tear."
          Both types of injury occur when a particular force is greater than the
strength of the surrounding structures.
In the case of bone, ligament, and muscle/tendon, three types of mechanical
forces may be responsible for injury:
a) Compressive: External compressive forces, such as a blow to the thigh, can
crush underlying tissue, often resulting in a bruise (contusion). Internal
compressive forces are always present when performing weight-bearing
activities (running), and can wear down cartilage that serves to reduce
bone-on-bone contact.
b) Tension: If a particular tissue (muscle/tendon/ligament) is stretched
beyond its "normal" length, the tissue is likely to tear or rupture
completely (hamstring strain).
c) Shearing: These forces occur at joint surfaces, and run in parallel, but
opposite directions. At the knee, there are shearing forces on the meniscus
when the foot is planted and the knee is twisted.
Future articles will further describe specific types of injuries caused by
these forces, and provide insight into their treatment and rehabilitation.

Mike Wilson is a strength and conditioning specialist for PURSUIT Training
and Rehabilitation, located within the Cloverdale Athletic Park. PURSUIT
provides complete sport conditioning and physiotherapy services
(604-574-2895). Register now for PURSUIT's summer soccer camps (July 04).

Mike Wilson

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