North Carolina State University Athletics
Sports Medicine: Distinguishing Discomfort from Injury
7/10/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
July 10, 2002
One of the most challenging tasks of an athletic trainer or a coach is acute injury assessment. The course of action for a broken bone or torn ligament is usually straightforward, with immobilization and transportation for further medical evaluation.
The more difficult management situations are the twisted ankle or bruised knee where the athlete reports discomfort and the athletic trainer or coach must make a decision on allowing the individual to continue to play. Young athletes in particular have a difficult time distinguishing between discomfort and true injury. They have seen other athletes twist an ankle, tear the supporting structures, and are sidelined for weeks or months. The young athlete who rolls their ankle does not know what a significant injury feels like and they assume that they too have suffered a significant injury.
The coach's and athletic trainer's challenge is to provide for the health and welfare of the athlete while not overreacting to every bump and bruise. When an athlete is challenged to leave their "comfort zone" and push themselves to improve as a player, small aches and pains can be magnified in the athlete's mind.
So what is the answer for a coach who is challenging their athletes to achieve greatness and push through fatigue while insuring them a safe environment? First the coach or athletic trainer needs to avoid getting frustrated by this situation and view it as an opportunity to educate. Listen to the athlete and evaluate their situation with common sense, looking for swelling, discoloration, and other outward signs of a significant injury. Remember that these outward signs may not always be present in the acute phase, and when in doubt, err on the side of safety for the athlete. If the young athlete returns the next day with no symptoms, able to fully participate, then the coach or athlete trainer needs to use this opportunity to discuss with the athlete their perception of this discomfort. Injuries do not resolve in a 24-hour period, and the young athlete needs to recognize that they overreacted to the symptoms they felt at the moment.
Part of an athlete's development is emotional. If he is given the opportunity and guidance to distinguish between discomfort and injury, he will become more productive to the team. An athlete who is able to give the coach or athletic trainer good subjective information and trusts that they will protect his health and welfare is the athlete that will remain in the game and be a contributing member of the team rather than an athlete that is consumed by their fatigue and unable to contribute to their full potential.
