Injuries
Prevention & Rehab & Treatment
Sports Emergencies
Neck, Spine, Brain
Vital Signs
100
This injury is the most common lower body injury in sports and typically occurs when the foot rolls inward, stretching or tearing the ligaments on the outside of the ankle—frequent in sports like basketball, soccer, and trail running.
What is a lateral ankle sprain?
100
This basic practice before physical activity increases muscle temperature and flexibility, reducing the risk of injury.
What is a warm-up/Dynamic Stretching?
100
A 16-year-old soccer player falls to the ground after being kicked in the shin. He is grimacing in pain but able to move his leg. What is the most likely injury?
What is a contusion or bruise?
: A contusion is a common injury from direct trauma, like a kick. It causes pain, swelling, and discoloration but typically doesn’t involve a serious injury to the bone or joint.
100
A 45-year-old construction worker reports acute back pain after lifting a heavy object. The pain is severe and sharp, localized to the lower back, and worsens with any movement. The patient has a history of similar episodes. Physical examination shows limited range of motion and muscle guarding.
What is lumbar strain/sprain?
100
A 28-year-old female soccer player presents to the clinic after a vigorous practice session. She is experiencing dizzinessand shortness of breath. The following vital signs are recorded:
Heart Rate (HR): 110 bpm
Blood Pressure (BP): 145/95 mmHg
Respiratory Rate (RR): 22 breaths per minute
Oxygen Saturation (O2): 92%
Temperature: 99.2°F
Lung Sounds: Mild wheezing in both lungs on auscultation
Given this information, evaluate the athlete’s current condition. What potential issues should the medical team be concerned about, and what immediate steps should be taken?
What is exercise-induced tachycardia, possible mild exercise-induced asthma, and hypertension?
200
This painful, involuntary contraction of a muscle typically occurs during or after intense physical activity, especially in hot conditions. It often affects the calves and thighs and is commonly associated with dehydration or an imbalance of electrolytes.
What is a muscle cramp?
200
This type of training focuses on correcting biomechanical flaws like overstriding or poor joint alignment, and is key in preventing repetitive stress injuries.
What is neuromuscular or movement re-education?
200
A 17-year-old football player is tackled hard and complains of neck pain after the play. He is alert but reluctant to move his neck, and there is no numbness or tingling reported in his extremities. What should your next steps be in managing this potential spine injury?
What is spinal immobilization and stabilization of the neck?
Explanation: Spinal immobilization is crucial when there is suspicion of a spinal injury.
200
This injury at the lower cervical spine level can result in weakness or paralysis of the wrist extensors, as well as difficulty with elbow extension and loss of fine motor control in the hands. It is commonly caused by hyperextension of the neck or trauma to the upper spine.
What is a C6/C7 cervical spine injury?
200
In a complete physical assessment, there are 9 different pulse sites and 3 primary methods to check temperature. List all 9 pulse sites and the 3 temperature methods used for accurate readings.
What are the 9 pulse sites and 3 methods to check temperature?
Pulse Sites:
Radial
Carotid
Brachial
Femoral
Popliteal
Posterior Tibial
Dorsalis Pedis
Temporal
Apical
Temperature Methods:
Oral
Axillary
Rectal
300
This injury occurs when repetitive impact activities, such as long-distance running or gymnastics, cause microfractures in the pelvis, often resulting in deep groin pain that worsens with activity. It is particularly common in athletes with weak bones or poor running mechanics.
A) Pelvic Stress Fracture
B) Hip Flexor Strain
C) Groin Tear
D) Iliopsoas Bursitis
A) Pelvic Stress Fracture
300
Strengthening these two areas of the body is crucial in preventing lower limb injuries, as they help stabilize joints and absorb impact forces.
What are the core and hips?
300
List the five steps in the ABCDE medical/ trauma assessment.
What are Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure?
300
A 35-year-old rugby player sustains a concussion during a high-impact tackle and loses consciousness for approximately 2 minutes. Upon regaining consciousness, the athlete is able to open their eyes to verbal commands, responds inappropriately to questions, and moves to localized pain. The GCS score is calculated based on these responses.
What is a GCS score of 12?
Eye (E): 3 (Opens eyes to verbal stimuli)
Verbal (V): 4 (Confused conversation)
Motor (M): 5 (Localizes pain)
300
A 22-year-old male basketball player collapses during a game and is unresponsive when paramedics arrive. He has shallow breathing and weak pulse. The following vital signs are recorded:
Heart Rate (HR): 48 bpm
Blood Pressure (BP): 80/50 mmHg
Respiratory Rate (RR): 10 breaths per minute
Oxygen Saturation (O2): 88%
Temperature: 99.2°F
What severe medical emergency is this athlete likely experiencing, and what should be done immediately?
What is cardiac arrest or severe arrhythmia (bradycardia)? The heart rate (48 bpm) is dangerously low, and the blood pressure (80/50 mmHg) is hypotensive, indicating circulatory shock. The low respiratory rate (10 bpm) and oxygen saturation (88%) are also concerning for hypoxia. The temperature (99.2°F) is slightly elevated, possibly due to inflammation or heat-related factors, but it is not the primary concern.
Immediate action:
Begin CPR and defibrillation (if needed) using an AED.
Administer oxygen to improve oxygenation and prevent further hypoxia.
Transport to the ER as quickly as possible for advanced cardiac evaluation, including ECG and cardiac monitoring.
400
This injury, common among athletes who engage in high-intensity running or explosive movements, involves the rupture or significant strain of a key muscle in the posterior thigh. It often results in a sudden, sharp pain and may limit an athlete's ability to fully extend the leg, typically requiring careful rehabilitation to avoid reinjury.
What is a hamstring strain or tear?
400
These are the four essential phases of patient evaluation used by emergency responders and sports medicine professionals to assess, treat, and monitor an injured individual—from checking scene safety to ongoing care.
What are the scene survey, primary survey, secondary survey, and reassessment?
400
Choose either SAMPLE or OPQRST and explain each step of the mnemonic and what questions you'd ask the patient during the secondary assessment.
S: What symptoms are you experiencing right now?
A: Are you allergic to any medications or substances?
M: Are you currently taking any medications?
P: Do you have any relevant past medical history?
L: When did you last eat or drink?
E: What events led up to this injury or illness?
O: Onset – When did the symptoms begin? Was it sudden or gradual?
P: Provocation – What makes the symptoms better or worse?
Q: Quality – Can you describe the pain or discomfort? Is it sharp, dull, or burning?
R: Radiation – Does the pain spread anywhere, like to your back or down your leg?
S: Severity – On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your pain?
T: Time – How long have you been experiencing these symptoms?
400
34-year-old athlete presents to the emergency room with a sudden, severe headache that started within seconds and peaked in intensity almost immediately. The pain is described as the worst headache of their life, often likened to a "thunderclap." The patient has no prior history of similar headaches and no trauma reported. Upon examination, they show signs of nausea, photophobia, and a stiff neck. A CT scan is ordered to assess potential causes.
What is a subarachnoid hemorrhage?
400
What is this ECG Rhythm and is it normal?
What is Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) is a type of arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm).
Ventricular rate in AFib can vary widely. It typically ranges between 100 and 175 beats per minute (bpm), though it may be slower if controlled with medication.
500
A 27-year-old male was brought to the emergency department following a high-speed motorcycle collision. He presented with acute distress, reporting excruciating pain localized to the upper segment of his lower extremity, accompanied by visible deformity and an open wound through which deeper structures appeared disrupted. The limb was markedly swollen and bruised, with an unnatural angulation suggestive of compromised structural integrity. On examination, the extremity was unstable, with palpable crepitus and evidence of significant tissue trauma. Circulatory function distal to the site remained marginally intact, though motor function was absent. Radiographic imaging later confirmed a severe interruption in the continuity of a major long bone, displaced from its normal alignment and in communication with the external environment. The patient was stabilized with fluid resuscitation, intravenous antibiotics, and temporary limb immobilization, pending urgent surgical intervention. Name the injury.
What is a displaced open fracture of the femur?
This type of injury involves a significant break in one of the body’s largest bones, often caused by a high-impact trauma. The fracture is both displaced and communicates with the external environment, requiring immediate intervention to prevent infection and preserve function.
500
In the early stages of recovery from a concussion, this principle is followed to avoid exacerbating symptoms. It emphasizes complete rest and cognitive rest before gradually introducing low-impact aerobic exercise in a stepwise fashion, as long as no symptoms reoccur. The approach aims to return athletes to full activity safely, balancing physical and cognitive load.
What is the Return-to-Play (RTP) protocol?
Rest and Recovery:
Athlete remains symptom-free at rest, avoiding physical and cognitive exertion (e.g., screen time, reading).Light Aerobic Exercise:
Begin low-intensity activities (walking or stationary cycling) to raise heart rate without triggering symptoms.Sport-Specific Exercise:
Introduce light sport-specific activities (e.g., running, dribbling), avoiding contact or high-impact movements.Non-Contact Training Drills:
Increase intensity with more complex drills (passing, shooting) while remaining symptom-free.Full-Contact Practice:
Return to full-contact practice under supervision, ensuring no symptoms reappear.Return to Play:
After 24 hours of being symptom-free, the athlete can return to full competition, but must revert to the previous step if symptoms recur.
500
An athlete presents with extreme fatigue, confusion, and muscle cramping. Their skin appears pale and dry, and they are visibly lethargic. Despite drinking large amounts of water, they continue to feel thirsty and struggle to maintain energy during physical tasks. Their pulse is rapid, and they have low blood pressure. Their urine output is minimal, and the urine is dark yellow.
What is dehydration and electrolyte imbalance (possibly due to prolonged exercise and inadequate fluid/nutrient intake)?
500
A 30-year-old football player suffers a spinal cord injury at the T6 level. The player is unable to move or feel anything below the chest, but retains full movement and sensation in the arms and hands. This type of paralysis affects only the lower limbs and torso.
What is paraplegia?
500
A 28-year-old athlete recently returned from a high-altitude training camp. She presents with shortness of breath, fatigue, and a persistent dry cough. Upon auscultation, you hear soft popping sounds during inhalation, particularly at the base of the lungs. She also reports a headache and feels more tired than usual, even at rest. What abnormal lung sound is being described, and what is the most likely cause of these symptoms? What immediate action should be taken?
What are Crackles (Rales), and what is the most likely cause?
Answer: Crackles (Rales) — High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE)