INJURIES TO THE THIGH, LEG, AND KNEE

• SKELETAL INJURIES• SOFT TISSUE INJURIES

SKELETAL INJURIES

• SKELETAL INJURIES SUCH AS:

• Femoral Fracture

• Patellar Fracture

• Dislocation of the Knee (tibiofemoral joint)

SOFT TISSUE INJURIES• SOFT TISSUE INJURIES SUCH AS:• Thigh Contusion• Thigh Strains• Inflamed Bursae• Patellar Dislocation/Subluxation• Osgood-Schlatter Disease • Jumper’s Knee• Menisci Injuries• Knee Ligament Injuries (mcl, acl, pcl, and

lcl)

FRACTURED FEMUR• SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• - Pain at the site of injury

• - Difficulty moving affected leg

• - Swelling and/or deformity may occur

• - More than likely a one-trauma acute injury

• - The athlete will tell you they felt a SEVERE snap or pop at time of injury

FRACTURED FEMUR• FIRST AID CARE• Be prepared to treat the athlete for shock if

necessary. Keep victim warm w/ blankets.• Medical staff will splint the injured leg with a

traction splint• Apply sterile dressing to any open woundsP.R.I.C.E!!• Medical staff will monitor vital signs and

circulation to lower leg• Call ambulance immediately!!

FRACTURED PATELLA-”Kneecap Fracture”SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: - SEVERE pain at fracture site - “Catching” or locking of knee - Tenderness when pressing kneecap

against underlying bones - Numbness and coldness beyond

fracture site if blood supply is impaired

FRACTURED PATELLAFIRST AID:Keep person warm with blankets to

decrease shock risk.Cut away clothing. DON’T move the

injured knee to remove clothing!Medical staff will immobilize the hip

joing and ankle joint before transport.P.R.I.C.E!!Call ambulance immediately!

DISLOCATED “KNEECAP”SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:A feeling of the knee “giving way”EXCRUTIATING pain in the knee at the time of the

injury!Complete loss of function in kneeVisible deformity in knee if locked in dislocated

positionTenderness and swelling over entire kneeNumbness below dislocation from pressure or

pinching of blood vessels

DISLOCATED “KNEECAP”FIRST AID MEASURES:Keep person warm to decrease shock possibilityCut away clothing if possible. Don’t move injured

areaImmobilize the knee, hip and ankle joints with

padded splintsP.R.I.C.E.Call Ambulance Immediately!The doctor will realign the dislocated bones with

surgery or withoutThis should be done as soon as possible!

THIGH CONTUSIONSIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:Swelling of the ThighPain and Tenderness in the thighDiscoloration of the skin, BLACK AND BLUE

THIGH CONTUSIONP.R.I.C.E.

HAMSTRING STRAINAn injury to the hamstring tendon.Mild Strain: Slightly pulled muscle.No loss of strength Moderate Strain: Tearing of fibers of muscle,

tendons, or attachments to boneStrength is diminishedSevere Strain: Rupture of muscle, tendon,

bone attachment with separation. Severe strain requires surgery.

HAMSTRING STRAINSIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:Pain when moving or stretching the legMuscle spasm of injured musclesSwelling over the injuryWeakened legCrackling feeling and sound when injured

area is pressed with fingers

HAMSTRING STRAINHAMSTRING STRAIN FIRST AID:P.R.I.C.E

KNEE EXPLAINED

• http://www.sports-injury-info.com/knee-anatomy-video.html

KNEE BURSITISBURSA: A small fluid-filled sac located in many

parts of the body to help reduce friction between bony surfaces.

INFLAMMATION OF A BURSA IN THE KNEE.Varying degrees of bursitis: Mild pain to

Excruciating PainThere are bursas in the knee in the following

areas: In front and behind kneecap On both sides of the knee

Behind the kneeJust above the knee

KNEE BURSITISSIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:Pain, especially when moving the kneeTendernessSwellingRednessLimitation of motion in knee

THIS CONDITION USUALLY OCCURS OVER TIME

TREATENT FORKNEE BURSITIS

ICE MASSAGE:

Take a styrofoam cup, fill it with water and freeze it.

Cut opening on bottom of cup and massage area for 15 minutes. 3-4 times daily

After 72 hours apply heat to injured areaHot soaks, showers, heating padsElevate as much as possible.

KNEE CARTILAGE INJURYMENISCUS INJURY

DAMAGE TO CARTILAGE IN THE KNEE AT THE TOP OF THE TIBIA

Usually accompanied by dislocation or ligament sprains.

KNEE CARTILAGE INJURYMENISCUS INJURY

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:

Pain and Tenderness in the knee, especially when bearing weight

Locking of the knee joint“Giving way” of the knee“Water” on the knee (sometimes)

KNEE CARTILAGE INJURYTREATMENT

FIRST AID MEASURES:Keep person warm to decrease shock

possibilityCut away clothing if possible. Don’t move

injured areaImmobilize the knee, hip and ankle joints

with padded splintsP.R.I.C.E.Call Ambulance Immediately!

COLLATERAL and CRUSCIATELIGAMENT

INJURIES

One of the more common injuries to knee ligaments in sports is a SPRAIN to the collateral ligaments.

Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL)Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL)Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)

MEDIAL COLLATERAL LIGAMENTINJURY

Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL)THE MOST COMMONOccurs when opponent is blocked or hits the

athlete’s leg and knee from outside.SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:Athlete reports knee was forced beyond limit.Pain at site of injurySwellingFeeling of UNSTABLE KNEEMay have heard SNAP or POP!

LATERAL COLLATERAL LIGAMENTINJURY

Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL)Occurs when opponent is blocked or hits the

athlete’s leg and knee from inside.SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:Athlete reports knee was forced beyond limit.Pain at site of injurySwellingFeeling of UNSTABLE KNEEMay have heard SNAP or POP!

ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENTINJURY

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)Occurs when athlete makes a very quick cut on a hard

surface, gets hit from behind, or when the femur gets pushed backward while the tibia is being held in place (contact sport situation)

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:Athlete reports knee was forced beyond limit.Pain at site of injurySwellingFeeling of UNSTABLE KNEEMay have heard SNAP or POP!

MCL, LCL, AND ACLTREATMENT

FIRST AID MEASURES:Keep person warm to decrease shock

possibilityCut away clothing if possible. Don’t move

injured areaImmobilize the knee, hip and ankle joints

with padded splintsP.R.I.C.E.Call Ambulance Immediately!

OSGOOD-SCHLATTERS

A disease typically a problem at the junction of the patellar tendon and the tibial tuberosity in the adolescent athlete.

There must be a growth plate at the site of the tibial tuberosity. Unique to young adults and children.

Constant jumping creates a pull of the patellar tendon and it’s attachment at the tibial tuberosity causing inflammation and swelling just below the patella.