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Injuries

Leg Stress Fracture, Tibia
Liver Injury
Neck Dislocation
Neck Fracture
Neck Sprain
Neck Strain
Nose Injury
Pelvis Strain, Hip-Trunk
Pelvis Strain, Ischium
Perineum Contusion
Rib Dislocation
Rib Fracture
Rib Sprain
Rib Strain
Shoulder-Blade (Scapula) Bursitis
Shoulder-Blade (Scapula) Contusion
Shoulder-Blade Fracture, Acromion
Shoulder-Blade (Scapula) Fracture, Coracoid Process
Shoulder-Blade (Scapula) Fracture, Glenoid Fossa
Shoulder-Blade (Scapula) Fracture, Neck
Shoulder-Blade (Scapula) Strain
Shoulder Bursitis, Gleno-Humeral
Shoulder Bursitis, Subacromial
Shoulder Contusion
Shoulder Dislocation
Shoulder Sprain, Acromio-Clavicular
Shoulder Sprain, Gleno-Humeral
Shoulder Strain
Shoulder Tendinitis & Tenosynovitis
Skin Abrasion
Skin Laceration
Skin Puncture Wound
Spine Fracture, Lower Thoracic & Lumber Region
Spine Fracture, Sacrum
Spine Fracture, Tailbone
Spine Stress-Fracture, Neck or Back
Spleen Rupture
Thigh-Bone Fracture
Thigh Contusion
Thigh Hematoma
Thigh Injury, Hamstring
Thigh Strain, Quadriceps
Thigh Strain
Thumb Fracture
Thumb Sprain
Toe Dislocation
Toe Exostosis
Toe Fracture
Tooth Injury & loss
Wrist Contusion
Wrist Dislocation, Lunate
Wrist Dislocation, Radius or Ulna
Wrist Ganglion
Wrist Sprain
Wrist Strain
Wrist Tenosynovitis


Skin Laceration

A skin cut that has sharp or ragged edges. Athletic injuries are usually a combination of a contusion and a laceration, producing a bruised, jagged, irregular cut.

Body Parts Involved

Any part of the body.

Causes

Direct blow with a sharp or blunt object (boxer's glove, shoe, spike, cleat or sharp edge of another player's equipment).

Signs & Symptoms

  • Cut of any type in the skin. Athletic injuries frequently produce lacerations at such a steep angle that they create flaps of skin.
  • Pain at the lacerated site.
  • Bleeding. This is especially heavy in lacerations of the scalp and forehead.
  • Swelling, redness and tenderness around the laceration(sometimes).

Treatment

Note:- Follow your doctor's instructions. These instructions are supplemental.

First Aid

For risk bleeding:

  • Cover the injured area With a cloth or your bare hands, if no cloth is available.
  • Apply strong pressure directly to the laceration for 10 minutes while awaiting an ambulance or transportation to an emergency room.
  • If direct pressure doesn't control brisk bleeding and bleeding is from an arm or leg, use a light tourniquet. Make a tourniquet from a cloth or similar material. Wrap and tie the tourniquet around the extremity, above the
    wound. Place a stick or other rigid object between the cloth and the extremity. Twist the rigid object several times until the pressure is tight and bleeding stops. Note how long the tourniquet is in place so emergency medical personnel will know. Don't leave the tourniquet on longer than 20 minutes.

For wound care Without brisk bleeding:

  • Clean the wound carefully With soap and water.
  • The wound will be cleaned again and sutured in the doctor's office or an an emergency medical facility, usually under local anesthesia.

Continuing Care

  • Keep the wound covered With a bandage and moderate compression for 2 days to help prevent fluid collection under the sutures.
  • If the bandage gets wet,replace it and apply non-prescription antibiotic ointment.
  • If bleeding occurs after suturing, control it by applying firm pressure to the wound with a facial tissue or clean cloth. Hold the pressure for 10 minutes.
  • Prevent tetanus by getting a booster dose of tetanus toxoid or human antitetanic serum.
  • Protect a laceration with extra padding during contact sports until it heals.

Medication

  • For minor discomfort, you may use non-prescription drugs such as acetaminophen. Don't use aspirin. It makes bleeding more likely.
  • Your doctor may prescribe:

Antibiotics to fight infection.

Stronger pain medicine if needed.

Home Diet

During recovery from serious lacerations, eat a well-balanced diet that includes extra protein, such as meat, fish, poultry, Cheese, milk and eggs. Increase fiber and fluid intake to prevent constipation that may result from decreased activity.

Diagnostic Measures

  • Your own observation of symptoms.
  • Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
  • X-rays of bones adjacent to the laceration to rule out fractures.
Prevention Tips
  • Wear protective padding and equipment appropriate for your sport.
  • Avoid playing on rough terrain when possible.
  • Use seat belts in automobiles.

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