Wound Care
Chapter 8
Pages 219-224
Caring for Skin Wounds
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Skin wounds are extremely common in
sports
Soft pliable nature of skin makes it
susceptible to injury
Numerous mechanical forces can
result in trauma
– Friction, scrapping, pressure, tearing,
cutting and penetration
Types of wounds
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Abrasions
– Skin scraped against
rough surface
– Top layer of skin
wears away exposing
numerous capillaries
– Often involves
exposure to dirt and
foreign materials =
increased risk for
infection
Abrasions
Types of wounds
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Laceration
– Sharp or pointed
object tears
tissues – results in
wound with jagged
edges
– May also result in
tissue avulsion
Laceration
Laceration
Laceration
Types of wounds
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Incision
– Wounds with smooth edges
Incisions
Types of wounds
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Puncture wounds
– Can easily occur during
activity and can be fatal
– Penetration of tissue can
result in introduction of
tetanus bacillus to
bloodstream
– All severe lacerations and
puncture wounds should
be referred to a physician
Puncture Wounds
Types of wounds
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Avulsion wounds
– Skin is torn from body
= major bleeding
– Place avulsed tissue in
moist gauze (saline),
plastic bag and
immerse in cold water
– Take to hospital for
reattachment
Avulsion
Immediate Care
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Should be cared for immediately
All wounds should be treated as though
they have been contaminated with
microorganisms
To minimize infection, clean wound with
copious amounts of soap, water, and sterile
solution
– Avoid hydrogen peroxide and bacterial solutions
initially
Immediate Care
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Dressing
– Sterile dressing should be applied to keep
wound clean
– Occlusive dressings are extremely effective
in minimizing scarring
– Antibacterial ointments are effective in
limiting bacterial growth and preventing
wound from sticking to dressing
– Utilization of hydrogen peroxide can occur
several times daily before reapplication of
ointment
Immediate Care
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Sutures may be necessary
– Deep lacerations, incisions, and
occasionally punctures will require some
form of manual closure
– Decision should be made by a physician
– Sutures should be used within 12 hours
– Area of injury and limitations of blood
supply for healing will determine materials
used for closure
– Physician may decide wound does not
require sutures and utilize steri-strips or
butterfly bandages
Use of Sutures
Signs of Wound Infection

Same as those for inflammation
– Pain
– Heat
– Redness
– Swelling
– Disordered function
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Pus may form due to accumulation of
WBC’s
Fever may develop as immune system
fights bacterial infection
Tetanus
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Bacterial infection that may cause fever and
convulsions and possibly tonic skeletal muscle
spasm for non-immunized athletes
Tetanus bacillus enters wound as spore and
acts on motor end plate of CNS
Following childhood vaccination, boosters
should be supplied once ever 10 years
If not immunized, athlete should receive
tetanus immune globulin (Heper-Tet)
immediately following skin wound