Sports are increasingly recognised as an important part of a
healthy lifestyle. Government, at both national and local level, are
encouraging sports participation at all levels in the community.
However, as participation in sports increases, so does the risk of
sports injuries, so it is vital that sports promotion is accompanied by a
drive towards increasing knowledge of first aid and injury prevention.Each
year there are nearly 20 million reported sporting injuries in the UK.
Around 150 people die and many more are disabled for life. It is
estimated that around 3 million injuries remain untreated. These are
frightening statistics, revealing just how important it is to be aware
of injury prevention and how to treat sports injuries effectively.Today
we are seeing a drive towards increasing skills in sports first aid
amongst athletes, coaches, referees, teachers and parents of children
taking part in sport. This is a welcome trend as is the growing
understanding of the roles and responsibilities of those who are
involved, so that they can make appropriate sports first aid provision.The
end goal of improved sports first aid training is that the first person
present after an accident will be able to administer the appropriate
care for all sports injuries.One of the most common parts of the
body affected by sports injury is the ankle. Ankle injuries account for
over one third of all sports injuries. It is hardly surprising that
ankle sprains are one of the most common sports injuries. As shock
absorbers, feet cushion up to one million pounds of pressure during one
hour of strenuous exercise.The use of ankle supports and ankle braces can help prevent injury as well as aid recovery after a sports injury.But why is the ankle so vulnerable?Each
foot has 26 bones. The ankle bone (talus) and the ends of the two lower
leg bones (tibia and fibula) form the ankle joint, which is stabilised
and supported by ligaments.On the outside of the ankle is a
complex of three ligaments. One of these, the anterior talo-fibular
ligament goes from the talus to the fibula and this is the ligament most
likely to be damaged in a sports injury. Because the inner ankle is
more stable than the outer ankle, the foot is likely to turn inward from
a fall, tackle or jump. This stretches or tears ligaments and the
result is ankle sprain. The term 'sprain' refers to the stretching and
tearing of ligaments.The risk factors for spraining an ankle are
many and varied. They include running on uneven ground, having had
previous ankle injuries in the past, being overweight, failing to warm
up sufficiently or even using shoes that do not fit properly.Sprained
ankles are classified according to level of severity. Grade 1 refers to
a stretch or minor tear of the ligament (usually but not always the
anterior talo-fibular ligament) with loosening. This is the most common
ankle sports injury. Grade 2 refers to a ligament tear accompanied by
some degree of loosening. Grade 3 refers to a complete ligament tear
resulting in a very loose joint.Short term treatment of an ankle
sprain should follow the R.I.C.E regimen - Rest, Ice, Compression and
Elevation. Depending on how severe the sports injury is, treatment
ranges from wearing a supportive ankle brace to using a walking cast or
even surgery.There are a wide range of ankle supports and ankles
braces available that can help provide compression and support the
anterior talo-fibular ligament (ATF).As someone who has
experienced a previous ankle injury will be more susceptible in future,
injury prevention is very important. An ankle brace can help prevent
ankle rollover and further damage.By increasing knowledge of
sporting injuries and developing skills in sports first aid and injury
prevention, sport can become a safer activity for all, truly helping to
fulfil its potential as a major contributor to the heath of the nation.
Gemma Davison is Co-Owner of Firstaid4port, an online supplier of
first aid, rehabilitation products and physiotherapy
products.Firstaid4sport provide information on sports injuries such as ankle injuries and also stock a wide range of ankle braces.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gemma_Davison
No comments:
Post a Comment