Musculoskeletal Injuries

Musculoskeletal injury can be defined as a reduction or loss of function or structure of a muscle, bone, ligament or tendon. Also can be related to disorders of blood vessels, nerves or soft tissue.

The three main type of MS injuries are:

• Lacerations. shearing injuries

  • Definition: Skin or muscle is cut by an external object

• Contusions/compression injuries

  • Definition: When a compressive force is applied to the muscle, bone or joint.

  • It can often occur after a fall or tackle. If sufficient force is applied to a muscle, it can cause a haematoma, which can cause bruising

  • If force is applied to the skeletal region, it can cause a fracture.

  • Or if the force is applied to the head = concussion

• Muscle strains

  • When muscle fibres are stretched beyond their normal limit

Acute and Chronic Injuries

1. Acute

These injuries occur immediately or suddenly due to excessive application of force (acute trauma)

Lacerations and sharing injuries, contusions and compression injuries are most commonly have an acute injury mechanism

2. Chronic

Occurs due to repeated application of force over time (cumulative trauma). These are gradual in onset, typically caused by repetitive activity or exercise over the course of several weeks