1、Chapter 21: The Thorax and Abdomen,Preventing Injuries to the Thorax and Abdomen,Utilize appropriate protective equipment Imperative in collision sports Abdominal musculature strengthening to protect underlying viscera Be sure hollow organs are empty prior to competition Reduces chance of injury to
2、them,Assessment of the Thorax Abdomen,Injuries to this region can produce life-threatening situations ATCs evaluation should focus on signs and symptoms that indicate potentially life-threatening conditions Continually monitor breathing, circulation and any indication of internal bleeding or shock,H
3、istory What happened to cause this injury? Was there direct contact or a direct blow? What position were you in? What type of pain, was it immediate or gradual, location(s)? Difficulty breathing? What positions are most comfortable? Do you feel faint, light-headed or nauseous? Chest pain?,Hear or fe
4、el snap, crack or pop in your chest? Muscle spasms? Blood or pain during urination? Was the bladder full or empty? How long has it been since you last ate? Is there a personal or family history of any heart, abdominal problems or other diseases involving the abdomen and thorax?,Observations Is the a
5、thlete breathing? Are they having difficulty breathing? Does breathing cause pain? Is the athlete holding the chest wall? Is there symmetry of the chest during breathing? If the athletes wind was knocked out, is normal breathing returning? How rapidly? Body position,Check for areas of discoloration,
6、 swelling or deformities Around umbilicus = intra-abdominal bleed Flanks = swelling outside the abdomen Protrusion or swelling in any portion of abdomen (internal bleeding) Does the thorax appear to be symmetrical? Are the abdominal muscles tight and guarding? Is the athlete holding or splinting a p
7、articular part? Monitor vital signs (pulse, respiration, BP) Rapid weak pulse or drop in BP is an indication of a serious internal injury (involves blood loss),Palpation Thorax Check for symmetry of chest wall movement and search for areas of tenderness Palpate along ribs and intercostal spaces as w
8、ell as costochondral junctions locate points of tenderness Abdomen Patient should have arms at side, knees and hips flexed to relax abdomen Feel for guarding and tenderness, rigidity (internal bleeding) Be aware of possibility of referred pain,Referred Pain Patterns,Recognition and Management of Spe
9、cific Injuries,Rib Contusion Cause of Injury Blow to the rib cage can bruise ribs, musculature or result in fracture Signs of Injury Painful breathing (particularly if muscles are involved) Point tenderness; pain with rib compression Care RICE and NSAIDs Rest and decrease in activity,Rib Fractures C
10、ause of Injury Caused by a direct blow or the result of a violent muscular contraction Can be caused by violent coughing and sneezing Signs of Injury History is critically important Pain with inspiration, point tenderness and possible deformity with palpation Care Refer for X-rays Support and rest;
11、brace Generally heals in 3-4 weeks,Costal Cartilage Injury Cause of Injury Result of a direct blow to the anterolateral aspect of the rib cage Signs of Injury Localized pain in region of costochondral junctions Pain with movement; difficulty with breathing Point tenderness and possible deformity Car
12、e Rest and immobilization Healing may take 1-2 months,Intercostal Muscle Injuries Cause of Injury Muscles are subject to contusions and strains Occur most often from direct blows or sudden torsion of the trunk Signs of Injury Pain occurs on active motions; pain with inspiration and expiration, cough
13、ing, sneezing and laughing Care Immediate pressure and application of cold for approximately 20 minutes After hemorrhaging is controlled, immobilize the injury to make the athlete comfortable,Lung Injuries Cause of Injury Pneumothorax - pleural cavity becomes filled with air, negatively pressurizing
14、 the cavity, causing a lung to collapse Tension Pneumothorax Pleural sac on one side fills with air displacing lung and heart, compressing the opposite lung Hemothorax Blood in pleural cavity causes tearing or puncturing of the lungs or pleural tissue Traumatic Asphyxia Result of a violent blow or c
15、ompression of rib cage Causes cessation of breathing and immediate medical attention,Signs of Injury Breathing difficulty, shortness of breath, chest pain on side of injury Coughed up blood, cyanosis, and potentially shock With collapse of lung medical attention is required immediately Care Each of
16、these conditions are medical emergencies and require immediate attention Transport athlete to hospital immediately,Sudden Death Syndrome in Athletes Cause of Condition Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - thickening of cardiac muscle w/ no increase in chamber size Anomalous origin of coronary arteries Marf
17、ans syndrome- abnormality in connective tissue results in weakening of aorta and cardiac vessels Series of additional cardiac causes Non-cardiac causes include drugs and alcohol, intracranial bleeding, obstructive respiratory disease Signs of Condition Most do not exhibit any signs prior to death Ma
18、y exhibit chest pain, heart palpitations, syncope, nausea, profuse sweating, shortness of breath, malaise and/or fever,Care Immediate medical attention is necessary life threatening condition Prevention Counseling and screening are critical in early identification and prevention of sudden death Scre
19、ening questions should address the following History of heart murmurs Chest pain during activity Periods of fainting during exercise Family history Thickening of heart or history of Marfans syndrome Cardiac screening - electrocardiograms and echocardiograms may be needed to determine existing pathol
20、ogy,Breast Problems Cause of Injury Constant uncontrolled movement (particularly in large breasted women) Stretching of Coopers ligament Runners and cyclists nipple Management Females should wear well-designed bra that has minimum elasticity and allows for little movement Special plastic cup-type br
21、assieres may be required in sports with high levels of physical contact Use of an adhesive bandage can be used to prevent runners nipple Wearing a windbreaker can prevent cyclist nipple,Injuries to the Abdominal Wall,Abdominal Muscle Strain Cause of Injury Result of sudden twisting or reaching of tr
22、unk, tearing abdominal musculature Contusions of Abdominal Wall Cause of Injury Caused by a compressive force - generally occurring in collision sports Extent of injury depends on whether force is blunt or penetrating,Signs of Injury May cause a hematoma to develop under fascia of surrounding muscle
23、 tissue Swelling may cause pain and tightness w/in the region Care Cold pack and compression Be sure to check for signs of internal injuries Conservative management Exercise should be kept pain free,Hernia (sports hernia) Cause of Injury Protrusion of abdominal viscera through portion of abdominal w
24、all (congenital or acquired) Inguinal vs. femoral hernias Complications and strangulated hernias Signs of Injury Acquired hernia occur when natural weakness is further aggravated by a direct blow or strain History of direct blow to groin area, pain and prolonged discomfort, superficial protrusion wi
25、th pain increasing with coughing & reported pulling sensation in groin area,Care Most physicians prefer athlete to refrain from hard physical activity until surgically repaired Mechanical devices are not suitable for athletics due to friction and irritation they produce While exercise is thought to
26、be beneficial with regards to strengthening that is not the case,Blow to Solar Plexus Cause of Injury Transitory paralysis of the diaphragm due to blow to the middle portion of the abdomen Signs of Injury Stops respiration and leads to anoxia Generally transitory Care Must help athlete overcome appr
27、ehension Use short inspirations and long expirations Calm athlete, prevent hyperventilation, blow into a paper bag ATC should question possibility of internal injury,Stitch in the Side Cause of Injury Idiopathic condition with obscure cause and several hypotheses Constipation, intestinal gas, overea
28、ting, diaphragmatic spasm, poor conditioning, lack of visceral support and weak abdominals, distended spleen, breathing techniques resulting in lack of oxygen, ischemia of diaphragm or intercostal muscles Signs of Injury Cramp-like pain that develops on either the right or left costal angle during h
29、ard physical activity Management Relaxation of the spasm Stretch arm on affected side as high as possible Flex trunk forward on the thighs Additional problems may warrant further study,Injury of the Spleen Cause of Injury Result of a direct blow Infectious mononucleosis (causing an enlarged spleen)
30、Signs of Injury Indications of a ruptured spleen involve history of a direct blow, signs of shock, abdominal rigidity, nausea, vomiting Kehrs sign Ability to splint self may produce delayed hemorrhaging - easily disrupted resulting in internal bleeding,Care Conservative treatment involves 1 wk of ho
31、spitalization and a gradual return to activity Surgery will result in three months of recovery while removal of spleen will result in a 6 month removal from activity In cases of mononucleosis athlete may resume training in 3 weeks if spleen not enlarged and if there is no fever,Kidney Contusion Caus
32、e of Injury Result of an external force (force and angle dependent) Susceptible to injury due to normal distention of blood Signs of Injury May display signs of shock, nausea, vomiting, rigidity of back muscles and hematuria (blood in urine) Referred pain (costovertebral angle posteriorly radiating
33、forward around the trunk) Care Monitor status of urine (hematuria) - refer if necessary 24 hour hospitalization and observation with a gradual increase in fluid intake Surgery may be required if hemorrhaging continues 2 weeks of rest and close surveillance following initial return to activity is nec
34、essary,Liver Contusion Cause of Injury Blunt trauma - right side of rib cage More susceptible if enlarged due to illness (hepatitis) Signs of Injury Hemorrhaging and shock may present May require immediate surgery Presents with referred pain in right scapula, shoulder and substernal area and occasio
35、nally in left anterior side of chest Care Referral to a physician for diagnosis and treatment,Appendicitis Cause of Injury Inflammation of the vermiform appendix (chronic or acute) Result of blockage, lymph swelling, or carcinoid tumor Early stages it presents as a gastric complaint, that gradually
36、develops from red swollen vessel to a gangrenous structure that can rupture into bowels causing peritonitis Signs of Injury Mild to severe pain in lower abdomen, associated with nausea, vomiting and low grade fever Pain may localize in lower right abdomen (McBurneys point) Care Surgical intervention
37、 is often necessary (particularly if it is resulting in an obstructed bowel = life threatening),Injuries to the Bladder Cause of Injury Blunt force to the lower abdomen may cause injury to urinary bladder if distended with urine Hematuria is often associated with contusion of bladder during running
38、(runners bladder) Signs of Injury Pain, discomfort of lower abdominal region, abdominal rigidity, nausea, vomiting, shock, bleeding from the urethra, increased quantity of bloody urine Athlete should be instructed to monitor urine Inability to urinate will present in case of ruptured bladder,Scrotal
39、/Testicular Contusion Cause of Injury Result of blunt trauma and contusion to the vulnerable and sensitive scrotum Signs and Symptoms Hemorrhaging, fluid effusion, muscle spasm, severe pain (disabling) May cause nauseating, disabling and painful condition Care Place athlete on side with knees to che
40、st Apply cold pack as pain subsides If pain persist after 15-20 minutes referral will be necessary,Gynecological Injuries Low incidence of injury in sports Most common occurrence involve contusion of external genitalia (vulva - including the labia, clitoris and the vaginal vestibule) Signs and Symptoms Hematoma results from contusion - may also involve pubic symphysis resulting in osteitis pubis,
