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Injury Management We have all, at one point or another, sustained an injury whether it is through hockey or not. The way that we managed this injury largely influenced how long you were out for and if there were any long term consequences. If you do sustain an injury during a game or training session it is important to let your coach and medic know about the injury so that its seriousness can be assessed. They will then advise you as to whether you can get back on the ice and whether you need to seek medical attention. Your coaches and medics have received training and are experienced in dealing with injuries. If you sustain an injury and come to a game or training it is essential that you let your coach know the extent of the injury and what the limiting factors are. It is important to do this so that the coach is aware of the injury and won't ask you to perform drills or moves that may further aggravate the injury. If you sustain a minor soft tissue injury, eg. You take a puck in the leg or you twist your ankle or knee slightly and there is some swelling, most often the best treatment for your injury goes by the acronym RICER. RICER stands for
Very often the best thing you can do with an injury is to Rest the offended body part. This gives the tissues in the area some time to heal properly. If you do not rest you can risk further injury to the body part. It is recommended that you Ice your injury for 20 minutes out of every hour for the first 48 hours. The ice will decrease the swelling and pain. It is not recommended that you keep the ice on for more than 20 minutes at a time as it can lead to Ice Burns. It is also recommended that for small areas like fingers and toes that you monitor your progress carefully as it will cool at a faster rate than icing the leg or arm. By Compressing the wound you are reducing the swelling and bleeding. It is however essential that the compression bandage or brace is not too tight as it can then cut off circulation and cause further issues. If you start to feel numbness or tingling in or around the compressed injury or the skin below the compression bandage is starting to turn blue then the bandage is too tight. Elevating your injured body part above your heart will decrease bleeding, swelling and pain. The R stands for Referral. Remember if you have any
doubts about your injury please consult your doctor, physiotherapist
or accredited specialist. |