Care of the Injured Player, By: Brad Walker

Before the Competition Begins

Below is a great article from a good friend of mine, Doug King (RCpN DipNg PGCertHealSC(SptMed)). Doug and I have known each other since 2001 and we often correspond about many different aspects of sports injury prevention and treatment.

Earlier this year Doug developed a CD-ROM resource called "Care of the Injured Player." This great resource was developed for coaches, trainer, clubs, schools and sports organizations of all types to assist with the prevention and management of sports injury. It's a very detailed resource that goes into a number of often neglected areas of sports injury management.

Doug has been kind enough to let me reproduce one of the chapters from his new CD-ROM as this month's issue of The Stretching & Sports Injury Newsletter. This chapter talks about important off-season management procedures that could be crucial in making sure you're prepared for the upcoming season.

I hope you enjoy Doug's chapter and if you would like further information about Doug's new CD-ROM resource, please visit Care of the Injured Player.

Imagine this... It's the end of the season and I suppose that the medical equipment has been packed away and placed in the "until next season" pile of things to do.

The family will be happy you're home for the summer and the restlessness of the "what to do blues" has worn off. However, have you appropriately packed it all away so that you can just pick up the kit in the pre-season and be ready to go, or do you have to usually throw out some equipment and arrange for replacements?

Have you ensured that you're all ready for the next season (or was this your last one) and know what team you're with and who the management team is?

Here are a few gentle reminders that you may want to consider for the next season.

Medical Kit Check
Drag out all those lotions and potions and check for wear and tear of the packaging. Check for the expiry dates and whether they will be current within the season. Are they useable or will they require replacing?

Are there any signs of contamination or "floaties" in the lotions? If there is, replace these and dispose of the expired or contaminated equipment in a safe manner.

It's also a good opportunity to check out the latest developments in sports medicine products that you may find useful in the next season (medicines available from the chemist especially).

Check all the dressing equipment (band-aids, gauze swabs (we don't use cotton wool anymore do we?), dressing packs, tweezers, disposable gloves, etc.) and ensure that the stock you have is clean and safe to use.

Check any packs or containers for their expiry dates and if expired destroy them and replace with newer equipment.

Anything with blood contamination should be either disposed of (if consumable) or cleaned with an approved, appropriate solution.

If you have expensive medical tools, (scissors, etc.) you may want to ensure that these are working correctly and free from rust or any signs of contamination.

Strapping Tape
Check your tape supplies and how they are being stored. Ease of space says to place the tape on its side and to stack it on each other, but this can cause "pooling" and "running" of the tape adhesive resulting in the traditional tackiness areas of tape or non stickiness in other areas.

Store your tape on the ends and in an appropriately aired area. Don't let dampness get to the tape, and if possible place some lunch wrap, or similar product, between each roll to ensure that they don't stick to each other.

If, due to the storage style of the tape, you find that the rolls are full of these patches, place them in an egg carton, on their ends, and microwave them on high for 13 seconds. Let them cool and then use. This helps to respread the adhesive and rejuvenate the roll. (Thanks to the Australian Sports Trainer's Association for this useful hint).

Medical Related Documentation
If you're vigilant, and have maintained injury reports and Medical Assessments Forms, place these in a safe and secure place and remember some countries legislation requires that you hold onto this information for up to 10 years.

I also recommend that you hold onto this information in case any player's injury and subsequent management comes into question.

If you have not utilised a pre-season assessment or ongoing documentation you may like to consider using this time to enable you to keep and maintain records of all the players that you care for next season.

Emergency Preparedness
Now is a good opportunity to go over any injury management that occurred during the previous season. Discuss and plan your procedures for the ensuing season and update / renew your qualifications for CPR, First Aid, etc.

Each individual country has its own internationally recognised standards so check out your local Resuscitation Council for their guidelines and regional courses.

Review any set policies that your club / team / organisation may have for emergencies. Ensure that these are up to date and relevant with the names of the right people on them.

Remove / update any outdated fliers with names on them of people who have left the organisation or if there has been policy changes.

Risk Management
Check to see if there is a Risk Management policy and procedure for your club and the grounds. If there isn't, now is maybe a good time to look at implementing one. If there is, ensure that this is updated and covers all the relevant areas. This should include:

• Changing rooms;

• Playing areas and fixtures;

• Emergency preparedness notification and accessibility (names of relevant people and emergency phone numbers);

• Review of rehabilitation programs or rehabilitation referral system;

• Identification of appropriately qualified management personnel (Coach, Manager, Trainer, Medic, Strapper, etc.);

• Safety devices (emergency doors, exits, etc.) are checked and working correctly as set out by the manufacturer;

• Spectator facilities are checked and repaired as necessary; and

• Emergency Plan is updated.

Although it may be the off season and soon to be preseason, it is just as important that the Management Team prepare for the ensuing season, just as the players need to for their fitness and stamina.