Management of Common Rugby Injuries Posted on Thursday, September 11, 2003 - 00:00 Muscle strains/Ligament Sprains. These are dealt with under separate headings on this site viz. Hamstring injuries Ankle sprains The standard R.I.C.E. R approach is common to all these injuries and should therefore not be seen in isolation. All of these type of injuries irrespective of their site or extent should be initially treated according to this principle. R = Rest I = Ice C = Compression E = Elevation R = Referral Abrasions Always wear gloves Clean wound thoroughly using clean water or antiseptic solution (if available). Sterile/clean gauze swabs or cotton wool to be used to clean wound. Apply antiseptic cream on clean gauze swabs or simply a clean gauze swab soaked in antiseptic solution as a dressing to close wound. Advise player to clean and dress wound daily. Lacerations Defined as a break in the continuity of the skin resulting in bleeding wounds. The principles of treatment are to Control the bleeding Prevention of Infection Always wear gloves Control of bleeding Always wear gloves Clean wound thoroughly as with abrasions. Using sterile/clean swabs apply direct pressure onto wound for about 2-3 minutes. In most instances this will take care of the bleeding. Apply a pressure bandage to maintain bleeding control. Should player still bleed after this, apply more pressure and more swabs onto the wound without removing the first pressure bandage. If this does not control the bleeding, the player in ALL probability will need suturing by a doctor. Therefore remove player from the field and seek medical assistance. Under NO circumstances, apply Tourniquets Prevention of Infection Clean the wound exactly as with abrasions. Apply antiseptic cream Close wound with sterile dressing Nosebleeds Occurs commonly as a result of a blow to the nose. Player to sit upright. Do not let him lie down or tilt his head backward. Wear Gloves Ask player to breathe through his mouth whilst pinching the lower portion (soft part) of his nose between your thumb and index finger for about 5 - 10 minutes. Most nosebleeds will respond to this approach and the player would want to return to play Therefore plug his nose using a cotton wool plug that has been slightly lubricated with petroleum jelly e.g. Vaseline. A useful adjunct to treatment is a small tampon instead of cotton wool. Should you not be able to control bleeding in this way, seek medical advice. Cramps Defined as a sudden involuntary and painful contraction of a muscle or group of muscles.. Stretching the muscles and applying ice normally relieves this condition. Fingers Gently, but firmly, straighten out the fingers. Gently, but firmly, straighten out the fingers. Apply ice   Hamstrings Lie player down on his back Straighten the knee and raise the leg with one hand under the heel; with the other hand, press down the knee Apply ice   Quadriceps Bend the knee backwards (flex) and extend the hip. Apply ice   Calf Lie player on his back Straighten (extend) the knee and gently draw player’s foot upwards (dorsiflex) towards the shin. Apply ice.