The Paris 2024 Olympic Games successfully concluded on August 11th. Sports are not only an enthusiastic sporting event but also play a key role in everyone’s daily life. With the Olympic Games, more and more people are getting involved in sports activities.
However, sports are not without challenges, as sports injuries are very common. Injuries such as bruises, sprains, and dislocations not only affect people’s motivation but can also cause significant inconvenience to people’s daily lives.
Therefore, correct nursing methods for sports injuries are essential. Initial treatments, such as the RICE principle and the use of wound dressings or sports bandages, play a key role in accelerating recovery and preventing long-term injuries. In this article, we will cover common sports injuries, their nursing principles, and sports bandage guides. Read on to learn more!
How to Wrap Bandages for Common Sports Injuries?
Understanding how to properly handle and bandage for a wound is crucial. The nursing plans should be customized according to the characteristics of different injuries. General sports injuries can be divided into:
1. Abrasions and Lacerations
- Causes: Abrasions and lacerations are the most common sports injuries. They are usually caused by rubbing the skin against a rough surface or by a cut from a sharp object, such as tripping or colliding with a teammate while playing sports.
- Typical Symptoms: Abrasions and lacerations can cause scratches, bleeding, or torn skin. It may be very painful and become infected if not cleaned and treated promptly.
- Nursing Guide:
Wash your hands and use iodophor or alcohol to clean the wound from dirt and foreign objects.
If the wound is still bleeding, apply gentle pressure with clean gauze and cotton balls to stop the bleeding.
Cover the wound with hydrocolloid dressings or Adhesive Bandage to provide a moist healing environment and isolate the wound from outside contamination.
If there is a severe laceration and bleeding, or if you cannot stop the bleeding, go to the hospital for stitches promptly.
2. Bruises
- Causes: Bruising is the rupture of capillaries under the skin as a result of an impact. It can be caused by accidentally bumping into posts and tables during sports.
- Typical Symptoms: Bruising, swelling, and pain in the skin. Although it is not as serious as other sports injuries, some bruises may interfere with movement and cause unusual pain and discomfort.
- Nursing Guide:
In the early stages of bruises (within 24–48 hours), cold compresses should be applied to the injury as soon as possible. It helps to constrict ruptured blood vessels and reduce bleeding and swelling. However, be careful to wrap the ice pack in a towel to prevent frostbite.
After 48 hours, a hot compress can be used to relax the muscles and promote the absorption of bruises.
Elevating the injured area reduces blood flow to the injured area.
As the bruise starts to heal, the injured area can be gently massaged to promote circulation and dissipate the bruise.
3. Sprain
- Causes: Sprains are common joint and bone injuries that usually occur in the ankles, knees, wrists, and elbows. Sprains can be caused by improper movement during exercise, slippery or uneven surfaces, poorly fitting shoes, or muscle fatigue.
- Typical Symptoms: Joint pain, swelling, and bruising. The patient may feel limited movement or “looseness” in the joint.
- Nursing Guide:
For mild sprains, patients can use the RICE principles, including avoiding movement of the injured area, applying a cold compress, immobilizing the joint with elastic sports bandages to reduce swelling, and elevating the injured area. Be careful not to over-tighten the wound bandage to avoid interfering with blood circulation.
For severe sprains with symptoms such as joint deformity, patients should immediately seek medical attention.
4. Muscle Strains
- Causes: A muscle strain is an injury caused by overstretching or tearing of tendons or muscles. Common causes include inadequate warm-up before exercise, strenuous or incorrect movements, and muscle fatigue.
- Typical Symptoms: Pain, swelling, bruising, and muscle stiffness at the site of injury.
- Nursing Guide:
Rest and give the injured area time to recover.
Apply cold compresses to the injured area to alleviate swelling and pain.
Apply pressure bandages to limit muscle movement and avoid secondary injuries.
For a few days after the injury, gently massage the injured area to improve circulation and reduce pain.
After pain and swelling have decreased, stretching and strengthening exercises can be performed to help restore muscle strength.
5. Fractures and Dislocations
- Causes: Fractures are usually the result of an external force on bones, such as a fall, impact, or sprain. Dislocations are caused by excessive force on joints during movement, causing the bones to move out of their normal position.
- Typical Symptoms: Severe pain, swelling of the joint, bones puncturing the skin, and being unable to move.
- Nursing Guide:
Seek immediate medical attention for a fracture or dislocation. Avoid moving the injured areas while waiting for an ambulance to arrive.
During recovery, the doctor will immobilize the joint with a board and a sports bandage to prevent secondary injuries.
Avoid Risk Factors for Sports Injuries
In addition to understanding how to bandage for a wound, it is vital to avoid risk factors for sports injuries such as muscle tension, muscle fatigue, and lack of protection in order to maximize your enjoyment of the process and stay motivated.
1. Muscle Tension
Muscle tension is often due to a lack of warm-up and stretching, incorrect exercise techniques, and overtraining.
Therefore, proper stretching before exercise, practicing correct exercise techniques, and setting up a proper training program can help decrease the risk of sports injuries.
2. Muscle Fatigue
Muscles often experience a loss of strength and endurance after prolonged or intense exercise. This is usually caused by high training intensity and insufficient recovery time.
You can follow the 10% rule to gradually increase intensity. Adequate recovery time should be ensured after exercise. Moreover, supplementing nutrition, especially proteins and electrolytes, can also help relieve muscle fatigue.
3. Lack of Protection
If protective equipment in sports is not used or used correctly, it is easy to bruise, sprain, or dislocate when impacted. Therefore, protective gear, such as sports bandages, knee braces, and ankle braces, should be worn to suit the type of sport and individual needs. They can give support and protection to the joints during sports.
For example, you can wear ankle braces to avoid sprains when playing soccer and volleyball. Pressure bandages can be used to prevent swimmer’s shoulder when swimming.
High-quality Sports Bandages and Wound Dressings for Injuries
Winner Medical is a well-known Chinese medical supply brand. When it comes to providing support for intense exercise and promoting optimal recovery from sports injuries, Winner Medical’s gauze and bandages are the ideal choice for you.
These sports bandages are made from high-quality, soft materials that are breathable, adhesive, and immobilizing. They help in optimal recovery from sports injuries and improve joint stabilization, making them suitable for injuries such as abrasions, sprains, muscle strains, and dislocations.
Conclusion
Different sports injuries need different nursing methods. Understanding the proper care can greatly reduce the impact of the injury and speed up the recovery process. Common methods of care include the RICE principle, the use of sports bandages to reduce swelling, ice compresses, hot compresses, and prompt medical attention.
For soft and high-quality wound bandages, contact Winner Medical now!