AOSSM/AANA Specialty Day 2020-Handout - Quick Sideline Decisions_ What You Need to Know to Stay Out of Trouble

Handout - Quick Sideline Decisions_ What You Need to Know to Stay Out of Trouble

Pdf Summary

Dr. Eric McCarty, Associate Professor of Orthopaedics and Head Team Physician at the University of Colorado, delivers a comprehensive guide on making quick sideline decisions to prevent severe outcomes in sports medicine emergencies. Emphasizing preparation and awareness, he highlights the dictum "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail," underscoring the importance of knowledge about serious injuries and practicing emergency management.<br /><br />Key points include recognizing catastrophic injuries that are rare but have severe consequences, such as sudden athlete collapse due to heatstroke, cardiac events (notably hypertrophic cardiomyopathy), or head trauma. Rapid on-field assessment involves checking airway, breathing, circulation (ABCs), consciousness, gross deformity, and stabilizing athletes before further evaluation.<br /><br />Sideline evaluation should include talking to the athlete about the mechanism and symptoms, conducting focused physical exams (concussion screening, neurologic tests, musculoskeletal function), and being vigilant for conditions like posterior sternoclavicular joint dislocation, spleen trauma, pneumothorax, compartment syndrome, knee dislocation, concussions, and cervical spine injuries.<br /><br />Specific emergency protocols include early CPR and AED use in cardiac collapse, active cooling for heatstroke, monitoring signs of splenic injury, prompt imaging and reduction for joint dislocations, and awareness of neurovascular risks in knee dislocations. Concussions require immediate removal from play with no same-day return, while cervical spine injuries demand immobilization and transport if neurological signs or pain persist.<br /><br />Dr. McCarty stresses the critical nature of early recognition, appropriate sideline management, and knowing when to escalate care to avoid catastrophic outcomes. His approach equips sports medicine providers to stay vigilant, prepared, and act decisively, ensuring athlete safety and effective emergency response during sports events.

Keywords

sports medicine emergencies

sideline decision making

catastrophic injuries

heatstroke

cardiac events

concussion management

emergency protocols

orthopaedic sports injuries

athlete safety

emergency response