Chapter 46. The sports arena
Sport-related deaths
Most deaths that occur at sporting events are from natural causes such as myocardial infarctions. Occasionally, congenital heart diseases such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can affect young athletes.
Nature of injuries in sport
Most sports injuries are soft tissue injuries. Injuries to the lower limbs are most common, followed by the upper limbs, head and face, and finally the chest and abdomen. The majority are minor and self-limiting; however, serious injuries such as ligament and tendon tears, fractures, spinal and head injuries and damage to viscera do occur.
Paramedics must decide whether the problem must be dealt with in hospital immediately or whether the patient can be left to arrange independently for treatment at hospital or by a general practitioner later in the day. Many injuries do not require medical intervention and can be readily treated with rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE), plus analgesia:
R – Rest
I – Ice
C – Compression
E – Elevation
Athletics and field sports
• The majority of athletes suffer soft tissue injury and sprains. Overuse predisposes them to chronic muscle and ligament problems that may be suddenly exacerbated in competition
• High jumpers and pole vaulters are liable to neck injury if they land badly
• Heat exhaustion is frequent during hot conditions.
Combat sports
• Of greatest concern in combat sports are head and neck injuries as a result of direct blows or from falls following throws. Facial fractures and eye injuries are also common
• Soft tissue injury and fractures are features of the martial arts.
Football
• The majority of association football injuries are to soft tissues, with strains and complete tears of leg muscles and tendons being most common
• Severe knee and ankle injuries occur less frequently and fractures to the lower limb are relatively rare
• Head and neck injuries can occur in bad falls or clashes of heads.
Hockey
• Hockey players are prone to the same injuries as footballers; they also run the risk of being hit by a stick or a very hard ball travelling at high speed
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