Common Injuries in
Cheerleading and How To
Prevent Them
Tim Ussery, MS, LAT, ATC
Common Injuries

Head Injuries
 Ankle and Foot Injuries
 Wrist and Hand Injuries
Grade 1 Concussions

Symptoms:
– Transient Confusion
– No Loss of
Consciousness
– No Headaches
– No Neurological
Symptoms
– Symptoms Resolve in
Less Than 15 Minutes
Grade 1 Concussions

Management:
– Remove from Contest
– Examine Immediately
and at 5-Minute
Intervals
– May Return if PostConcussive Symptoms
Resolve Within 15
Minutes
Grade 2 Concussion

Symptoms:
– Transient Confusion
– Amnesia
– No Loss of Consciousness
– Mild Headache
– Light-Headed
– Unable to Concentrate or
Focus
– Symptoms do Not Resolve
in Less Than 15 Minutes
Grade 2 Concussion

Management:
– Remove From Contest
and Disallow Return
for That Day
– Examine Frequently
for Signs of IntraCranial Pathology
– Physician Management
Grade 3 Concussion

Symptoms:
– Any Loss of
Consciousness.


Brief (Seconds).
Prolonged (Minutes).
– Severe Neurological
Symptoms
– Beware of Second
Impact Syndrome.
Grade 3 Concussions

Management:
– Transport to the
Nearest Emergency
Room by Ambulance if
Unconscious or if
Worrisome Signs are
Detected.
– Use Backboard and
Send to Emergency
Room.
Head Injury Take Home
Instructions

Observe for 24-48 Hours
 Symptoms to Be Observed.
 Management:
– Head Injury Take Home Instructions
Symptoms of Concussions

Severe headaches
 Dizziness or loss of
coordination
 Temporary loss of
memory/mental
confusion/disorientation
 Ringing of the ears
 Blurred or double vision
 PEARL
 Nausea and/or vomiting
 Slurred speech

Convulsions or tremors
 Excessive sleepiness or
grogginess
 Clear fluid from the
nose and/or ears
 Decreased pulse rate
 Gradual increase in
blood pressure
 Numbness or paralysis
(partial or complete)
 Difficulty being aroused
Ankle Injuries

Types
– Sprains
– Fractures
Ankle Sprains

Most Common is
Inversion or Inward
Stress
 Least Common is
Eversion or Outward
Stress
 Can be Traumatic or a
Chronic, Reoccurring
Injury
Ankle Sprains

Signs and Symptoms
– Mild Aching to Sudden
–
–
–
–
Pain
Swelling
Discoloration
Inability to Move the
Ankle Properly
Pain in the Ankle Even
When You are Not
Putting Weight on It
Ankle Sprains

Treatment
– Non-Surgical





Rest
Control Inflammation
Manual Therapy
Modalities
Rehabilitation
– Surgical

In Recurrent Situations
Ankle and Foot Fractures

Mechanism
– Contact



Getting Stepped on the
Foot or Ankle
Jumping or Landing
Improperly
Sudden Twisting or
Pivoting Where Ankle
Gives Out
Ankle and Foot Fractures

Signs and Symptoms
– Mild to Sharp Pain
– Mild to Moderate Swelling
– Discoloration and Bruising
– Inability to Move the Ankle,
Foot, and/or Toes Properly,
Depending on Severity
– Point Tender Over the
Injured Area
Ankle and Foot Fractures

Treatment
– Non-Surgical
 Brace or Cast
 4-6 Weeks of
Immobilization
 Control Inflammation
 Modalities
 Rehabilitation
– Surgical
 Depending on Severity
 Depending on Bone
Displacement with
Fractures
Hand and Wrist Injuries

Types
– Sprains
– Fractures
– Dislocations
– Tendon Injuries
Hand and Wrist Injuries

Mechanism:
– Contact
 Getting Hit Directly on the
Hand and Wrist
 Catching Someone with
Hand and Wrist in an
Awkward Position
 Falling and Landing with
the Hand and Wrist in an
Awkward Position
 Improper Form During a
Cartwheel, Handstand, or
Flip
Hand and Wrist Injuries

Signs and Symptoms
– Mild to Sharp Pain
– Mild to Moderate Swelling
– Discoloration and Bruising
– Inability to Move the Hand,
Wrist, and/or Fingers
Properly, Depending on
Severity
– Point Tender Over the
Injured Area
Hand and Wrist Injuries

Treatment
– Non-Surgical
 Brace or Cast
 Rest
 Control Inflammation
 Modalities
 Rehabilitation
– Surgical
 Depending on Severity
 Depending on Bone
Displacement with
Fractures
When to Seek Medical
Attention for a Traumatic
Injury

Swelling About a Joint
 Inability to Move a Joint
 Decreased Joint Motion
 Obvious Deformity
 Inability to Walk or Bear Weight on a Joint
Treatment of Traumatic
Injuries

Treat the
Inflammatory Process
– Protection
– Rest
– Ice
– Compression
– Elevation

Seek Medical Help if
Necessary
Return to Competition
Following a Traumatic Injury






Pain Free
Normal Range of
Motion
Normal Strength
Able to Run
Able to Jump and
Pivot
Able to Perform Sport
Specific Activities
Preventing Injuries in
Cheerleading

Utilize Proper
Training Techniques
 Improve Strength
 Correct Muscular
Imbalances
 Improve Flexibility
Proper Training Techniques

Begin Slowly
 Progress Gradually
 The #1 Cause of
Injury is Doing Too
Much, Too Soon
 The Tissues of the
Body can Adapt if
Change is Gradual
Rules of Strengthening

Light Resistance
 High Repetition
 Emphasis on Endurance and Balance
 Emphasis Should be on the Shoulder Girdle,
Trunk, Core, and the Stabilizers of the Knee
and Ankle
Thank You!