Keep a close eye on the game
Working pitch-side, it’s vital you see the injury as it occurs. Seeing the point of impact will give you an idea of what body part has been damaged and whether it was a light or heavy impact. You may already have an idea of how to treat the injury based on the challenge or fall. A quick tip to staying on top of all injuries: when you can, watch the play a few seconds behind the flow of the ball to check how players get up after tackles. If they look like they’re struggling, you know you need to be ready at the next break in play.
Clear the scene and communicate
The team may be crowding the injured player – often out of concern – but you need to make space by moving them away. This enables the player to breathe and gives you room to work without the distraction of everyone else around you. Trying to work while surrounded by a crowd can mean you’re in the shade and unable to see the injured area properly. Once you’ve cleared everyone, talk to the player to clarify exactly where he’s been injured. If he can communicate clearly, you know he’s not suffering from a serious injury.
Assess the damage
Examine the affected area. Check for deformities, cuts, swelling and abrasions. Touch the area for indications of pain and irregularities. Ask the player to bend and straighten the affected joint or muscle. You can assist with these exercises, which will also give you a feel for how the player is moving.
Final test
Send the player on a light jog and see if they can perform twisting movements and jumps. If they’re still struggling replace them with a substitute and give them a thorough examination off the pitch. This whole process should take no more than 90 seconds to three minutes if done properly.
All patched up
Got a muscle or joint niggle? Or are your muscles crying out for a little bit of help having been pushed to their limits?
If so, get patched up with a tried and trusted Deep Freeze Cold Patch. Deep Freeze Cold Patch helps provide effective relief of pain from strains, sprains and knocks to muscles and joints.
It helps to quickly soothe and relieve pain, acting like ice to cool the affected or swollen area and helping to reduce the pain and swelling.
Because Deep Freeze Cold Patch is a patch, it’s easy to apply, slim and flexible – so that’s great news for joints too. Even better, Deep Freeze Cold Patches should always be stored at ambient temperature (never refrigerate or freeze), so they are ideal for keeping in your kit bag.
They are available as singles or in packs of four, so get some in your kit bag and get back in the game.
For more information visitdeepfreeze.co.uk
Did you know?
Deep Freeze provides an effective range of products, which help relieve pain to your muscles and joints.
Deep Freeze products can be used to provide on-the-go cold therapy, and can be used following a strain, sprain or a knock.
The Deep Freeze range includes a spray and a patch which provide cooling of the skin by evaporation, thereby reducing skin temperature, constricting blood vessels and helping to reduce pain.
The Deep Freeze range of products also includes Deep Freeze Cold Gel 2% W/W, a medicine containing racemic menthol, for muscular aches and pains. Always read the label.
Getting back into the game...
Glen Goszka’s story...
“I love my football, both watching it and playing with the lads, once during the week and then local weekend games.
But the bad news for me is I have various old injuries in my ankle and knees that I picked up as a teenager.
They come back to haunt me often when I’ve played on both Saturday and Sunday. So my kit bag doesn’t go anywhere without Deep Freeze Cold Spray.
It’s great because it works like ice, giving an instant cooling sensation, which is great at taking the sting out of the pain.
As such, I can apply the spray fast when my knees or ankles start niggling, either during a game or after. Deep Freeze Cold Spray helps me play on.”
Also see:
Injury-proof your ankle
