AFL is one of the most popular sports in South Australia, it’s a high contact sport with a high risk of injury. Part 1 of frequently occurring AFL injuries outlines some of the most common AFL injuries, these include hamstring strains and ACL injuries as well as the AFL risk factors, severity of the injuries & their symptoms.
In this blog, we cover other common AFL injuries such as concussion, shoulder sprain, dislocations, and contusions.
Concussion
A concussion, occurs due to a high-intensity direct blow to the head, face or neck. This is an injury that has received a lot more attention in the last couple of years.
The management of a concussion is taken seriously by medical professionals due to the possible long term effects of receiving any head injury.
Symptoms of a concussion include:
- Injury to the underlying body part
- Immediate and/or prolonged loss of consciousness
- May or may not have a seizure
- Worsening headache
- Nausea, vomiting
- Deteriorating consciousness
- Dizziness
- Double / blurred vision
- Balance issues
Athletes with a suspected concussion should:
- Not be left alone initially (first 1-2 hours)
- Not drink alcohol
- Not use recreational/ prescription drugs
- Not drive a motor vehicle
- Not be sent home by themselves
All Athletes with a suspected concussion should be assessed and treated by a healthcare professional before returning to play or sport. This management needs to occur straight after the incident and then involve follow up to treat any continuing symptoms or issues.
Strict guidelines are in place for a return to sport, after a concussion and need to be evaluated with a health professional.
Shoulder sprain and dislocation
Shoulder injuries commonly occur due to a severe fall or during a tackle and can range from a sprain to the Acromioclavicular (AC) joint, to a dislocation of the shoulder.
In terms of dislocation, it’s most common to pop the shoulder out in the front and it’s less common to occur at the back.
Symptoms of a dislocated shoulder can include:
- A lax shoulder
- This can be associated with the feeling of dead arm
- Pain and “catching” during arm movements
- There may be an impaired sensation over the shoulder
Treatment
The acute treatment of a dislocated shoulder involves help from a health professional required to relocate the shoulder bone back into its socket.
This is usually a simple and gentle technique but in the case of a complicated and painful dislocation can require intervention by a doctor under an anesthetic.
After relocation has occured most people will require some help from a Physio to reduce inflammation and muscle spasm.
Due to the damage to the tissues around the shoulder, cleints should undertake a rehabilitation program that aims to strengthen muscles and improve the stability of the joint.
Contusions
Treatment
- Minimisation of bleeding and swelling
- Ice
- Stretching
- Strengthening
If you think that you may have sustained an AFL injury and you’d like to find out how you can treat it, you can make a booking to see a Physio at your nearest Core Physiotherapy & Pilates Studio.
This blog was written by Maddie Lyer from the Christies Beach practice.
