Transcript Common Athletic Injuries Instability, Dislocations, & Subluxations

Common Athletic
Injuries
Instability, Dislocations,
&
Subluxations
Today’s Topics
• Laxity & instability
• Dislocations & subluxations
• Nerve injuries
Laxity
• Defined:
“describes the amount of “give” within
the joint’s supporting connective
tissue..” STRUCTURE
• Etiology
1. May be congenital
2. Systemic
3. Result of injury
Instability
• Definition:
“the lack of ability to maintain
alignment of bony segments…”
“….usually due to torn or lax ligaments
and weak muscles.”
• Applied definition:
“..joint’s inability to function under
stress encountered during functional
activities”
Joint Dislocatons
• Introduction
1. Second to fx’s in terms of disabling
2. Areas of highest incidence:
Joint Dislocatons
• Mechanism
1. Results in complete separation of
articulating surfaces (bone ends)
2. Force causes joint to go beyond
NORMAL anatomical limits
3. Force causes rupture of joint’s
connective tissues
4. Avulsion fracture
Joint Dislocatons
• Clinical findings:
1. Obvious deformity
2. Loss of limb function
3. Immediate swelling &
point tenderness
Joint Dislocations
4. Skin may be ruptured
5. NO further evaluation!
6. Check for circulation
& neurological responses
7. Treat ALL first timers
as fx’s as well
Subluxations
• Pathology
1. Involves partial disassociation of
articulating surfaces
2. Force may cause soft tissue or bony injury
3. Suspect fx, tearing of capsule and/or
ligaments
Subluxations
• Mechanics
1. Progressive condition
2. First time subluxations
Subluxations
• Clinical findings:
1. Patient report
2. ROM limited by pain & instability
3. Chronically: joint displays instability
during ligamentous/capsular testing
4. “Apprehension response”
Nerve Injuries
• Peripheral nerve lesions
• S/Sx
1. Distorted sensation (paresthesia)
2. Usually distal to site of lesion
3. Decreased sensation, increased
sensitivity, or NO sensation
Nerve Injuries
• Nerve stretch/compression:
- sharp burning pain, radiates
down a limb
-accompanied muscle weakness
• Neuritis:
- inflammation of a nerve
- from repeated trauma
Summary
• Knowledge of tissue properties & forces
• Recognize mechanism of injury (MOI)
• Familiarize with normal joint movements &
limits
• Recognize possible tissue involved by
knowledge of anatomy