Open AccessSideline Management of Fractures
Author(s) -
Mark R. Hutchinson,
Joseph Tansey
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
current sports medicine reports
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.424
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1537-8918
pISSN - 1537-890X
DOI - 10.1249/00149619-200306000-00004
Subject(s) - medicine , athletes , return to sport , stress fractures , sports medicine , injury prevention , physical therapy , poison control , medical emergency , suicide prevention , guideline , physical medicine and rehabilitation , pathology
Athletes have the potential to sustain a myriad of injuries, ranging from muscle strains and overuse to fractures and dislocations. The team physician and sideline medical professionals must be keenly aware of the risk potential, and have an emergency plan in place to address any potential injuries. Bone injury can range from unstable, open fractures to overuse and stress fractures. Coaches and players may challenge recommendations regarding not only treatment, but also return-to-play issues. The fundamental guideline must always be what is safe for the athlete. Decisions must be individualized for each athlete, anatomic site, and injury. If the athlete is not at significant risk to himself, the fracture is healed or can be protected, and the athlete can function at his previous level with a protective device, he may be able to return to sport.