The 411 on all those competition-related injuries
Between the high-flying stunts, mesmerizing tumbling runs and tricky transitions, it’s true that all-star cheerleading isn’t for the faint of heart. So, given that as cheerleaders, we’re taught to expect the unexpected, it’s no wonder that so many issues arise during the height of competition season. We asked Alison Wu, MPT, from the Children’s Therapy Clinic in Seattle, WA, to give us a crash course on how to guard against the ailments most commonly found during an intense competition season. Here’s what she had to say:
BROKEN NOSE
Q: How can you tell when an athlete’s broken her nose?
A: It’s often difficult to tell when an athlete’s broken her nose, as swelling can make the area appear crooked without actually being broken. Symptoms of a broken nose include:
- nose pain
- swelling of the nose
- a crooked or bent appearance
- bruising around the nose or eyes
- a runny nose or nosebleed
- a grating sound or feeling when the nose is touched or rubbed
- blocked nasal passages
Many doctors will want to wait for the swelling to decrease before performing a thorough exam or administering treatment. The exception to this is if the athlete experiences the following immediately after being hit:
- pain in other areas of the face, such as the cheekbones, jaw or brow bones (this can indicate that there’s more than one fracture)
- a large amount of blood in the nasal septum (called a nasal septal hematoma)
- a nosebleed that won’t stop
- clear drainage from one or both nostrils
These are all indications that something more serious has occurred and should be treated right away.
Q: What should a coach do for an athlete who might have a broken nose? What shouldn’t they do?
A: Immediately after the injury occurs, the coach should apply ice to the affected area and keep the athlete’s head elevated. If she experiences a bloody nose, have her lean forward to avoid blood pooling in the mouth and throat. Watch for the signs listed above. The athlete can take Tylenol for the pain, but shouldn’t take ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for at least 48 hours after the injury (this is recommended for all head/facial injuries). If the coach suspects that the athlete might also have a head or neck injury, medical attention should be sought immediately.
Q: What’s the recovery process for an athlete with a broken nose?
A: Treatment, if needed, is usually provided within 7 to 14 days of breaking your nose. Most broken noses don’t require treatment other than managing pain and other symptoms. Elevating the head while sleeping will help control the swelling and pain, as well as periodic icing and over-the-counter pain relief medications.
If the nose is crooked, a doctor may treat a simple fracture by straightening the bone or cartilage in the nose. Splints or nasal packing (packing the nose with gauze) may also be necessary to help support the nose and control bleeding. Antibiotics are usually given to prevent infection. Surgery is often prescribed to correct septal deviations.
CONCUSSIONS
Q: What happens when an athlete gets a concussion?
A: A concussion is a brain injury caused by a sudden blow to the head or body. The blow shakes the brain inside the skull, which temporarily prevents the brain from working normally.
Q: What are some of the most common causes of a concussion?
A: There are many ways to sustain a concussion: fights, falls, playground mishaps, car crashes and bike accidents. Concussions can also occur while participating in rough or high-speed sports such as football, boxing, hockey, soccer, skiing/snowboarding or gymnastics.
Q: How can you tell if an athlete has a concussion?
A: It’s not always easy to determine if an athlete has a concussion. Some symptoms can be very mild and not show up for several hours or even days after the injury. If an athlete has any of the following symptoms, contact a physician right away:
- passing out
- loss of memory after the injury
- acting confused, asking the same question over and over, slurring words or lack of concentration
- feeling lightheaded, seeing “stars,” experiencing blurry vision or ringing in the ears
- unable to stand or walk, or coordination and balance problems
- experiencing nausea or throwing up
- changes in sleep patterns, such as sleeplessness or sleeping all the time
Q: What’s the appropriate way to treat a concussion?
A: It’s important that any athlete who hits her head and is suffering any of the symptoms above seeks medical attention immediately. Resuming activity after experiencing a concussion can result in a more serious brain injury. If you think a concussion has occurred, initial treatment involves closely monitoring the person for changes in behavior and other symptoms. This may be done in a hospital or at home.
At home, rest is the best way to recover from a concussion. Taking an over-the-counter pain medication (such as Tylenol) can help with any residual aches. The athlete should avoid activities for several days or even weeks, where another head injury could occur (the length of time is usually determined by the doctor in response to the severity of the injury).
NECK PROBLEMS
Q: What’s the most common neck injury to cheerleaders?
A: Neck injuries such as whiplash can occur during gymnastics or cheerleading, especially when an athlete falls and her head snaps back (oftentimes after hitting the floor). Dislocation or fracture of the cervical vertebrae (spine) can occur if the fall is from a great height.
Q: What should a coach do when an athlete’s injured her neck? What shouldn’t they do?
A: If an athlete’s experienced a fall where she’s hit or landed on her head and you suspect a neck injury, do not move her! Notify medical personnel immediately, as they’ll be able to transport the athlete to the hospital safely to determine if a neck injury has occurred. Moving an athlete with a neck injury can cause serious complications, including paralysis.
BY: Alison Wu, MPT, Children’s Therapy Clinic
*If you have any questions for our medical expert, please e-mail us at cbn@americancheerleader.com
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