Sporting chance: Preventing, managing and treating sports injuries

Many Australians participate in sport, predominantly children and younger adults since sports participation has been found to decline with age. At some stage, most participants will be afflicted by a sports-related injury. Though some injuries are serious and need immediate attention from a medical practitioner or hospital emergency department, many are amenable to self-care. For many soft tissue injuries, resting the injured part, icing the injury, applying compression, elevating the injured limb or joint and referring to other members of the health care team such as physiotherapists will often suffice. Recent recommendations suggest the use of paracetamol-based products to provide analgesia for soft-tissue injuries and suggest that NSAIDs be reserved for injuries such as synovitis, which has an inflammatory component. Simple cuts and grazes are best cleaned and dressed with an appropriate dressing to generate a moist wound-healing environment. However, prevention is always better than management and so maintaining good general fitness, being aware of the injuries most common in the sport(s) played, and utilising appropriate protective equipment will assist with preventing many sports injuries. Pharmacists can assist their patients with protective equipment such as joint guards, mouthguards and strapping products, and can offer advice for management of uncomplicated injuries or referral for more serious conditions.