| | | | | The first principle is protection. The purpose of |
| Hundreds of athletes sustain acute injuries everyday | | | | protection is to avoid further injury to the area by |
| while participating in sports. An acute sports injury is | | | | protecting the injured structures. The type of |
| one in which there is a specific mechanism of injury | | | | protection used varies depending on the injured area |
| (hit by ball, plant and twist, collision with opponent) | | | | but may include an ace bandage, aluminum splint, sling, |
| and an immediate onset of symptoms including | | | | protective tape, or over-the-counter brace. |
| swelling, pain, bleeding, and possible deformity. | | | | These devices are applied so that the injured |
| | | | | structures are protected from further injury. For |
| A number of types of sports injuries can be | | | | example, an individual who recently suffered an ankle |
| considered acute including: | | | | sprain may initially wear an ankle brace. A good ankle |
| • Sprains (injury to ligaments) | | | | brace should protect the athlete from movements of |
| • Strains (injury to muscles) | | | | inversion (movement of the ankle/foot inwards) and |
| • Contusions (bruise) | | | | eversion (movement of the ankle/foot outwards) |
| • Subluxation (partial dislocation that reduces itself) | | | | because those movements could further injure the |
| • Dislocation | | | | damaged ligaments, but would allow the ankle/foot |
| • Fractures | | | | to move up and down. |
| If there are signs or symptoms of a serious injury | | | | To finish reading this article to find out more about |
| (deformity, severe swelling and/or pain), emergency | | | | the P.R.I.C.E. principle please click the following link. |
| first aid should be provided while keeping the athlete | | | | Sports Injury Treatment MD |
| calm and still until emergency service personnel arrive | | | | If you suspect that you have suffered an acute |
| on scene. <!-- Text2 | | | | sports injury, it is critical to seek the urgent |
| ================== --> | | | | consultation of a local sports injuries doctor for |
| | | | | appropriate care. To locate a top doctor or physical |
| However, most acute sports injuries can be treated | | | | therapist in your area, please visit our Find a Sports |
| safely at home using the P.R.I.C.E. principle. The | | | | Medicine Doctor or Physical Therapist Near You |
| acronym stands for: | | | | section. |
| • Protection | | | | Be sure to visit SportsMD to find more information |
| • Rest | | | | on sports injuries. SportsMD is the most trusted |
| • Ice | | | | resource for sports health and fitness information for |
| • Compression | | | | people engaged in sports everywhere. We have |
| • Elevation | | | | assembled the sports industry's leading Doctors and |
| The principles of P.R.I.C.E. should be used for the first | | | | health experts – each sharing valuable, practical |
| 48 – 72 hours immediately after the injury. The | | | | advice to keep you playing injury-free. |
| goal during this time frame is to control the amount | | | | References |
| of swelling to the injured area, prevent further injury, | | | | Anderson, M., Hall, S. & Martin, M. (2000). Sports |
| and reduce pain. Following these principles can | | | | Injury Management. (2nd Ed.). Lippincott Williams |
| effectively reduce the amount of swelling in an | | | | & Wilkins: Philadelphia, PA. |
| injured area thereby reducing the amount of time | | | | Bahr, R. & Maehlum, S. (2004). Clinical Guide to |
| required for rehabilitation. | | | | Sports Injuries. Human Kinetics: Champaign, IL. |
| Protection | | | | |