Common Injuries in Cheerleading and How To Prevent Them

1. Common Injuries in Cheerleading and How To Prevent Them Tim Ussery, MS, LAT, ATC

2. Common Injuries • Head Injuries • Ankle and Foot Injuries • Wrist and Hand Injuries

3. Grade 1 Concussions • Symptoms: • Transient Confusion • No Loss of Consciousness • No Headaches • No Neurological Symptoms • Symptoms Resolve in Less Than 15 Minutes

4. Grade 1 Concussions • Management: • Remove from Contest • Examine Immediately and at 5-Minute Intervals • May Return if Post-Concussive Symptoms Resolve Within 15 Minutes

5. Grade 2 Concussion • Symptoms: • Transient Confusion • Amnesia • No Loss of Consciousness • Mild Headache • Light-Headed • Unable to Concentrate or Focus • Symptoms do Not Resolve in Less Than 15 Minutes

6. Grade 2 Concussion • Management: • Remove From Contest and Disallow Return for That Day • Examine Frequently for Signs of Intra-Cranial Pathology • Physician Management

7. Grade 3 Concussion • Symptoms: • Any Loss of Consciousness. • Brief (Seconds). • Prolonged (Minutes). • Severe Neurological Symptoms • Beware of Second Impact Syndrome.

8. Grade 3 Concussions • Management: • Transport to the Nearest Emergency Room by Ambulance if Unconscious or if Worrisome Signs are Detected. • Use Backboard and Send to Emergency Room.

9. Head Injury Take Home Instructions • Observe for 24-48 Hours • Symptoms to Be Observed. • Management: • Head Injury Take Home Instructions

10. Severe headaches Dizziness or loss of coordination Temporary loss of memory/mental confusion/disorientation Ringing of the ears Blurred or double vision PEARL Nausea and/or vomiting Slurred speech Convulsions or tremors Excessive sleepiness or grogginess Clear fluid from the nose and/or ears Decreased pulse rate Gradual increase in blood pressure Numbness or paralysis (partial or complete) Difficulty being aroused Symptoms of Concussions

11. Ankle Injuries • Types • Sprains • Fractures

12. Ankle Sprains • Most Common is Inversion or Inward Stress • Least Common is Eversion or Outward Stress • Can be Traumatic or a Chronic, Reoccurring Injury

13. Ankle Sprains • Signs and Symptoms • Mild Aching to Sudden Pain • Swelling • Discoloration • Inability to Move the Ankle Properly • Pain in the Ankle Even When You are Not Putting Weight on It

14. Ankle Sprains • Treatment • Non-Surgical • Rest • Control Inflammation • Manual Therapy • Modalities • Rehabilitation • Surgical • In Recurrent Situations

15. Ankle and Foot Fractures • Mechanism • Contact • Getting Stepped on the Foot or Ankle • Jumping or Landing Improperly • Sudden Twisting or Pivoting Where Ankle Gives Out

16. Ankle and Foot Fractures • Signs and Symptoms • Mild to Sharp Pain • Mild to Moderate Swelling • Discoloration and Bruising • Inability to Move the Ankle, Foot, and/or Toes Properly, Depending on Severity • Point Tender Over the Injured Area

17. Ankle and Foot Fractures • Treatment • Non-Surgical • Brace or Cast • 4-6 Weeks of Immobilization • Control Inflammation • Modalities • Rehabilitation • Surgical • Depending on Severity • Depending on Bone Displacement with Fractures

18. Hand and Wrist Injuries • Types • Sprains • Fractures • Dislocations • Tendon Injuries

19. Hand and Wrist Injuries • Mechanism: • Contact • Getting Hit Directly on the Hand and Wrist • Catching Someone with Hand and Wrist in an Awkward Position • Falling and Landing with the Hand and Wrist in an Awkward Position • Improper Form During a Cartwheel, Handstand, or Flip

20. Hand and Wrist Injuries • Signs and Symptoms • Mild to Sharp Pain • Mild to Moderate Swelling • Discoloration and Bruising • Inability to Move the Hand, Wrist, and/or Fingers Properly, Depending on Severity • Point Tender Over the Injured Area

21. Hand and Wrist Injuries • Treatment • Non-Surgical • Brace or Cast • Rest • Control Inflammation • Modalities • Rehabilitation • Surgical • Depending on Severity • Depending on Bone Displacement with Fractures

22. When to Seek Medical Attention for a Traumatic Injury • Swelling About a Joint • Inability to Move a Joint • Decreased Joint Motion • Obvious Deformity • Inability to Walk or Bear Weight on a Joint

23. Treatment of Traumatic Injuries • Treat the Inflammatory Process • Protection • Rest • Ice • Compression • Elevation • Seek Medical Help if Necessary

24. Return to CompetitionFollowing a Traumatic Injury • Pain Free • Normal Range of Motion • Normal Strength • Able to Run • Able to Jump and Pivot • Able to Perform Sport Specific Activities

25. Preventing Injuries in Cheerleading • Utilize Proper Training Techniques • Improve Strength • Correct Muscular Imbalances • Improve Flexibility

26. Proper Training Techniques • Begin Slowly • Progress Gradually • The #1 Cause of Injury is Doing Too Much, Too Soon • The Tissues of the Body can Adapt if Change is Gradual

27. Rules of Strengthening • Light Resistance • High Repetition • Emphasis on Endurance and Balance • Emphasis Should be on the Shoulder Girdle, Trunk, Core, and the Stabilizers of the Knee and Ankle

28. Thank You!