Injury Classification Flashcards

Study Notes

Injury Classification

Injuries can be classified based on mechanism (traumatic, overuse, idiopathic) and timing (acute, chronic, recurrent).
Acute injuries result from a sudden incident with a clear cause, while chronic injuries show prolonged healing issues and insidious onset.
Recurrent injuries arise after complete healing but may lead to further episodes due to residual instability.

Contusion

A contusion is a compression injury characterized by blood accumulation in tissues.
Types of contusions include subcutaneous, intramuscular, and periosteal.
Mechanism of injury (MOI) typically involves a direct blow.
Signs include tenderness, movement pain, swelling, discoloration, and possible hematoma formation.

Ecchymosis

Defined as a hemorrhagic spot leading to non-elevated, irregularly shaped purple/red/blue patches on the skin.
This condition can occur due to trauma or may be associated with diseases.
Generally painless with characteristic discoloration and usually speckled with white.

Hematoma

A hematoma refers to a localized collection of clotted blood within tissues.
Types include intramuscular, intermuscular, and subperiosteal hematomas.
MOI is often direct trauma, resulting in tenderness, swelling, discoloration, and limited range of motion (ROM).

Myositis Ossification

A complication arising from muscle hematomas, leading to calcification within the muscle.
Caused by direct blows or repetitive trauma.
Symptoms may include pain, a firm mass, and limited ROM depending on lesion severity and location.

Bursitis

Inflammation of a bursa, which can occur due to direct blow or repetitive friction.
Symptoms encompass pain, a painful arc during movement, swelling, heat, and redness.

Strains

Defined as stretches or tears of muscles or tendons.
Mechanism of injury involves overstretching or excessive load.
Symptoms include localized tenderness, tightness, swelling, decreased strength, and possible visible defects.

Strain Grades

Grade 1 Strain: Minor stretching, little to no loss of function (LoF), mild pain, and minimal swelling.
Grade 2 Strain: Moderate damage, mild to moderate LoF, decreased strength, and possible discoloration/swelling.
Grade 3 Strain: Complete tear with substantial LoF, possible initial lack of pain, visible defects, discoloration, and swelling.

Tendinopathy, Tendinosis, and Tendinitis

Tendinopathy is a general term for tendon pathologies characterized by pain and swelling.
Tendinosis refers specifically to degenerative changes in a tendon without inflammation.
Tendinitis indicates the presence of inflammation in a tendon.

Sprains

Defined as stretches or tears of ligaments or joint capsules.
MOI typically involves overstretching or excessive loads.
Symptoms present as tenderness, pain during movement, instability, swelling, edema, and joint laxity.

Description

Test your understanding of injury classification with these flashcards. Learn the key terms and definitions related to different types of injuries, including mechanisms and temporal aspects. Perfect for students in physical therapy or sports medicine.