Slide 1

Evaluation of an Injury
Chapter 13 Principles of Athletic
Training


Slide 2

Evaluation
 History:

– Be calm and reassuring
– Express ?’s that are simple and not
leading
– Listen carefully to athlete’s complaints
– Maintain eye contact
– Record exactly what the athlete says
without interpretation


Slide 3

Past History Questions
Has this ever happened before? If so
when and how severe.
 Have you ever injured the other extremity
before?



Slide 4

Present History Questions
What is the problem or your chief
complaint?
 How did it occur?
 When did it occur
 Did you fall? How did you land?
 Which direction did your joint move?
 Did you hear or feel anything when it
occurred?
 *If the athlete can’t answer any of the
above questions ask teammate or
someone who observe the injury.*



Slide 5

Present History Continue
 Injury

location

–Point to the exact location of pain
with one finger
 If yes they can then injury is localized
if not then injury may be generalized
and nonspecific


Slide 6

Present History Continue
 Pain

characteristics

–What type of pain is it?
 Nerve pain=sharp, bright, or burning
 Bone pain= localized and piercing
 Vascular pain= poorly localized,
aching, and referred from another
area
 Muscle pain= dull, aching, and
referred to another area


Slide 7

Present History Continue
 Pain

characteristics

–Where is the pain
–Does the pain change at different
times?
 Pain that subsides during activity
usually indicates a chronic
inflammation
 Pain that increases in a joint
throughout the day indicates a
progressive increase in edema


Slide 8

Present History Continue
 Pain

characteristics

–Does the athlete feel sensations
other that pain?
 Pressure
 Tingling
 Pins and needles


Slide 9

Present History Continue
 Joint

responses

–Is there instability
–Does it feel as though it will give
way?
–Does the joint lock and unlock
 Determine

whether the injury is
acute or chronic.


Slide 10

Observation
How does the athlete move?
 Is there a limp
 Are movements abnormally slow or jerky
 Is the athlete unable to move a body part?
 Is the athlete holding his/her body stiffly
to protect against pain?
 Does the athlete’s facial expression
indicate pain or lack of sleep?



Slide 11

Observation Continued
Are there any obvious body asymmetries?
 Is there an obvious deformity?
 Does soft tissue appear swollen or has
atrophy
 Are there unnatural protrusions or lumps?
 Is there a postural malalignment?
 Are there abnormal sounds such as
crepitus?
 Does a body area appear inflamed?
 Is there swelling, heat, or redness?



Slide 12

Palpation
You can use palpation in the beginning or
when you identify the specific injury.
 Start with light pressure
 Followed by gradual deeper pressure
 Usually begin away from the site of
complaint and gradually move towards it.



Slide 13

Palpation Continued
 Bony

palpation:

–Palpate bilateral
–Feel for abnormal gap at a joint.
 Swelling on a bone
 Misaligned joints
 Abnormal protuberances


Slide 14

Palpation Continued
 Soft-Tissue

Palpation

– Athlete is relaxed
– Palpate for
 Swelling
 Lumps
 Gaps
 Abnormal muscle tension
 Temperature
 Muscle twitching or tremors
 Skin dryness or moisture
 Become aware of dysesthesia, anesthesia,
hyperesthesia