Injuries
Although Field Hockey is an extremely fun sport, some injuries may be involved. It is important to know what could happen to you in the event you get hurt while playing. Below are just a few injuries that are most common in the sport.
A) Hand, Radius, Ulna, and Metacarpal Fractures (Bone is cracked or broken)
-Metacarpal and Hand Fractures (player, ball or stick hitting the finger, hand, radius or ulna, being crushed by object or piece of equipment)
Symptoms of a broken metacarpal/hand/wrist
B) Facial Injuries (Ball/Stick/Piece of equipment hitting the face, eye, nose, mouth, teeth)
-Eye (orbital) Injuries
-Broken Teeth
-Fractures
-mandible(jaw)
-maxilla
-Minor abrasions/fractures
Symptoms
C) Ankle, Foot Injuries
(Tripping over the ball, being tripped by another player/stepped on
(Slight inversion of the ankle)
(Extreme plantar/hyper flexion of ankle or foot)
Some injuries include: ankle sprain, ankle fracture, turf toe, achilles tendonitis, great toe sprain, arch sprain
Symptoms
D) Concussions- Brain injury caused by a blow to the head or body
Symptoms
E) Tibia, Fibula, Femur Injuries
-Torn ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament)
-Quadriceps/Hamstring Muscle Strains
Symptoms of a Torn ACL
Symptoms of Quadricep/Hamstring Muscle Strains
A) Hand, Radius, Ulna, and Metacarpal Fractures (Bone is cracked or broken)
-Metacarpal and Hand Fractures (player, ball or stick hitting the finger, hand, radius or ulna, being crushed by object or piece of equipment)
Symptoms of a broken metacarpal/hand/wrist
- Immediate pain
- Deformed finger at joint (dislocation/avulsion)
- Swelling/Redness
- Numbness if swelling is massive, or if metacarpals are immobilized
- If injury includes a laceration, puncture wounds or a contusion, the player should seek immediate medical care.
- Mechanism of injury
- Physical examination
- X-ray/MRI Scan
- Protect
- Rest
- Ice
- Compression
- Elevate
- Control swelling
- Splint or cast may be necessary
- Surgery may be required for serious injuries
- If surgery is required- screws/plates may be inserted into the place of injury to stabilize the bone.
B) Facial Injuries (Ball/Stick/Piece of equipment hitting the face, eye, nose, mouth, teeth)
-Eye (orbital) Injuries
-Broken Teeth
-Fractures
-mandible(jaw)
-maxilla
-Minor abrasions/fractures
Symptoms
- Pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Tenderness
- Deformity
- Nosebleed
- Jaw Pain
- Malocclusion (inability to bring jaw together)
- Laceration
- X-Ray
- CT Scan
- Immediate Care if athlete feels dizzy, nauseated.
- PRICE (Protect, Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate)
- Pain medications
- Seen by a surgeon or specialist (plastic surgeon; ophthalmologist; ear, nose, and throat specialist; oral-maxillofacial surgeon; or neurosurgeon)
- Surgery may be necessary
C) Ankle, Foot Injuries
(Tripping over the ball, being tripped by another player/stepped on
(Slight inversion of the ankle)
(Extreme plantar/hyper flexion of ankle or foot)
Some injuries include: ankle sprain, ankle fracture, turf toe, achilles tendonitis, great toe sprain, arch sprain
Symptoms
- If only ligaments give way and tear, a lateral ankle sprain is present
- An ankle fracture is present if a bone gives way and breaks.
- Pain
- Deformities of bone
- Laceration of the skin
- Numbness
- Unable to bear weight on fractured area
- Discoloration
- History-(Where does it hurt? What makes it hurt more/less?)
- Physical examination
- X-rays
- Depends on severity of injury
- P.R.I.C.E.
- Splinting, bracing or taping the ankle can help prevent further injury
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Surgery to implant wires, screws or plates
- Cast/Crutches
- Physical Therapy depending on severity of injury
D) Concussions- Brain injury caused by a blow to the head or body
Symptoms
- Amnesia
- Confusion
- Headache
- Loss of consciousness
- Balance problems/dizziness
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Nausea
- Concentration/memory problems
- Slowed reaction time
- Neurological exam performed by doctor
- Imaging tests (CT Scan)
- Observation
- IMPACT Test
- PRICE
- Do NOT return to play until fully cleared by doctor. Returning to play before being cleared could result in death
- Stay away from computers/television/cellular devices. Interaction with these devices may confuse the brain in its' healing process
E) Tibia, Fibula, Femur Injuries
-Torn ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament)
-Quadriceps/Hamstring Muscle Strains
Symptoms of a Torn ACL
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Intense pain in the knee
- Unable to walk
- Loud "pop"
- Physical examination (evidence of knee joint fluid)
- Stability
- Lachman Test
- X-rays
- MRI
- Surgery is required to repair the ACL
- Physical Therapy
- Medications to reduce the pain after surgery
Symptoms of Quadricep/Hamstring Muscle Strains
- Popping or snapping sensation as the muscle tears.
- Sudden, severe pain
- Tender to the touch
- Visible bruising if blood vessels are broken
- Examine the thigh for tenderness or bruising.
- Bending or straightening your knee and/or hip
- Doctor will scale the injury; Grade 1 strain is a mild, readily healed tear, Grade 3 is a severe tear that can take many months to heal.
- P.R.I.C.E
- Pain relief medication
Prevention
Prevention of injuries can be facilitated by:
- Proper physical conditional
- Appropriate use of protective gear
- If injuries are sustained, proper medical treatment is mandatory.
- A period of healing, therapy and reconditioning may be necessary to prevent further injury or re injury.