JOINTS and INJURIES
JOINTS
- Joints are points of contact (articulations) between two connected bones
- Joints hold bones together while allowing for movement and flexibility
- Joints are classified according to structure (what they are) and function (what they do)
Classification according to structure:
1. Fibrous Joints 2. Cartilaginous Joints 3. Synovial Joints |
Classification according to function:
1. Immovable Joint (synarthrosis) 2. Slightly Movable Joint (amphiarthrosis) 3. Freely Movable Joint (diarthrosis) |
Note: a classification according to structure corresponds to a classification according to function.
Joint Classification Summary
The Synovial Joint
- articulating cartilage - on ends of bones that come in contact with one another; protects bone ends and absorbs shock
- joint capsule - fibrous structure that consists of synovial membrane and fibrous capsule
- synovial membrane - allows certain nutrients to pass through
- fibrous capsule - keeps synovial fluid from leaking
- joint cavity - filled with synovial fluid acting as lubricant for joint, fluid essential in reducing friction and providing nutrients
- bursae - small, flattened fluid sacs found at friction points between tendons, ligaments, and bones
- intrinsic ligaments - thick bands of fibrous connective tissue that help thicken and reinforce the joint capsule
- extrinsic ligaments - separate from the joint capsule and help to reinforce joint by attaching bones together
Types of Synovial Joints
- Ball-and-socket - uni-axial - hip
- Gliding - uni-axial - tarsals + carpals
- Hinge - uni-axial - elbow
- Pivot - uni-axial - neck
- Saddle - bi-axial - thumb
- Ellipsoid - tri-axial - wrist
An Introduction to Sports Medicine INJURIES
- tendons: attach muscle to bone, known as dynamic (greater stretch) stabilizers of joints
- ligaments: attach bone(s) together, known as static (small stretch) stabilizers of joints
- cartilage: 3 types: HYALINE (ends of bones, ribs, nose, larynx, trachea), FIBROCARTILAGE (between vertebrae), ELASTIC (external ear, middle ear, epiglottis)
Muscle and Tendon Injuries
- muscle and tendon STRAINS and tears: caused by twisting, pulling, or overstretching a muscle or tendon
- strains can be: ACUTE (sudden and severe, contact sports or improper heavy lifting), or CHRONIC (over time, overuse of muscles or tendons without proper rest)
- strains fall into 3 categories of severity: 1st degree (day to heal), 2nd degree (require physiotherapy), 3rd degree (may require surgery and rehabilitation, 6-12 months to heal)
- delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS): pain a day or two after exercise, caused by deep microscopic tears within muscle fibres
- tendonitis: inflammation of tendon, caused by irritation due to prolonged or abnormal use
Ligament and Joint Injuries
- ligaments can SPRAIN and tear: caused from overstretched or torn ligament by a direct hit to joint or an awkward landing
- sprains fall into 3 categories of severity: 1st degree (few fibres torn, treated easily with rest), 2nd degree (more fibres torn), 3rd degree (entire ligament is torn and may require surgery/rehabilitation)
- dislocations: when bone is displaced from its joint, common in fingers and shoulders
- separations: when ligaments are torn causing bones to separate, shoulder commonly
- torn cartilage: when cartilage (usually of knee) is damaged or torn by contact injury or aging process
- bursitis: inflammation of bursa (characterized by painful movement in shoulders, elbows, hips), caused by overuse, stress, direct trauma, or infection
Bone and Head Injuries
- fractures: simple, compound, comminuted
- shin splints: tearing of connective tissue between tibia and fibula, can lead to stress fracture
- stress fractures: tiny cracks along bone
- shin splints and stress fractures are caused by over-training, hard surfaces, and worn-out shoes
- concussions: brain hits against inside of the skull causing nerve damage and bruising from blood vessels of the brain
Weather-Related Injuries
- heat cramps: dehydration through sweating causes muscles to seize and cramp. Characterized by dizziness, dry and sticky mouth, dark yellow urine.
- heat exhaustion: dehydration in hot, humid environment, more serious than heat cramps. Characterized by slow and short breaths, clammy skin, chills, weak pulse.
- heat stroke: caused by exercise in hot humid environment, body's ability to cool itself shuts down cause core body temperature to increase. Characterized by high body temperature, clammy skin, unconsciousness, can be life threatening.
- hypothermia: core temperature of body drops below normal. Characterized by chills, shivering, confusion, slow movement, poor coordination.
- frostbite: affected area becomes frozen; usually fingers, ears, toes. Characterized by yellow/grey/brown patches appear on skin, tingling and discomfort.
Signs and Symptoms of Sports Injuries
SHARP S - SWELLING (instantly or over time) H - HEAT (increased temperature of injured area) A - ALTERED (change to function of affected body part) R - RED (in colour, later may bruise) P - PAINFUL (to touch or move) |
Treatment of Common Sports Injuries
PIER P - PRESSURE (with ice avoiding direct contact on skin) I - ICE (10-20 minutes with 10-20 minute breaks for first 2 hours, then 4-5 times a day for 2-3 days, prevents swelling) E - ELEVATION (of injured area when icing) R - RESTRICTION (rest and immobilize with slings, tensor bandages, crutches) |
Sports Injuries Prevention
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