Guía de tratamiento para lesiones deportivas: ¡muévete y cuida!

Author: Unknown Reviewer: Unknown Commissioner: Unknown Production Organization: Dalian Women and Children's Medical Center (Group) Title: Sports Injury Treatment Guide: Move and Care! Profile: Spring is ideal for sports, but injuries are common. Learn to treat them and prevent discomfort with basic medication.

The Pharmacy Department of Dalian Women and Children's Medical Center (Group) is a comprehensive technical service that includes the supply and assurance of medications, pharmaceutical management, rational drug use, as well as research and education. This department comprises several sections, such as the Outpatient Western Medicine Pharmacy Office, the Outpatient Traditional Chinese Medicine Pharmacy Office, the Inpatient Pharmacy Office, the Intravenous Medication Preparation Center (PIVAS), the Clinical Pharmacy Department, the Outpatient Pharmaceutical Consultation, the Drug Clinical Trials Office (GCP), and others. It is responsible for ensuring the supply of medications, guiding rational drug use in clinics, and conducting research and educational activities. The Pharmacy Department has been recognized as a pilot unit for the resident pharmacist model by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and is the only institution of its kind in Liaoning dedicated to women and children. Additionally, it serves as a standardized training base for clinical pharmacists from the Medical Society of China, while its clinical pharmacology field has been acknowledged as a key clinical specialty in Liaoning Province and designated as a training point for graduate students from the Pharmacy Faculty of Dalian Medical University. The scientific outreach team has developed to a high level, applying for major research projects in outreach and participating in numerous outreach subjects for the China Association for Science and Technology and the Provincial Association for Science and Technology. At the same time, they have published hundreds of scientific articles across multiple platforms. The outreach team has been awarded the Excellence in Health Science Outreach Organization Award, as well as recognitions such as the Outstanding Volunteer Team Award from the PSM Foundation.

Spring is in full bloom, and it's the perfect time for outdoor activities. Exercising offers many benefits, but minor bumps or injuries can also occur during physical activity. Properly using common household medications for initial treatment can help you feel more at ease while exercising. Today, the pharmacy team will clearly explain how to manage three common types of sports injuries in spring.

After exercising, if muscle or joint issues arise, it is crucial to select a treatment plan based on the timing and nature of the condition, distinguishing between the 'acute inflammatory phase' and the 'recovery and relief phase'.

During the acute phase of an injury (typically within the first 24 to 48 hours), the focus is on 'immobilization' and 'anti-inflammatory measures'. At this stage, the 'RICE' principle should be followed: immediate rest (Rest), applying ice (Ice), compression (Compression), and elevating the affected limb (Elevation). Regarding medication choice, topical anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications, such as diclofenac gel or ibuprofen gel, should be used. These act directly on the pain area, effectively inhibiting local inflammation, reducing swelling and pain, and have few systemic side effects. It is important to remember that these medications should only be applied to intact skin and can be used 3 to 4 times daily; they should not be used if the skin is affected or has injuries.

When acute pain subsides and one enters a remission phase (usually after 48 hours), or when treating chronic overuse injuries, the goal shifts to 'activating blood circulation and dispersing stagnation' and 'relaxing the muscles'. At this point, topical medications that activate blood circulation, such as Yunnan Baiyao spray or analgesic patches, may be used. These medications can promote local blood circulation and help disperse bruises and swelling. Moreover, cooling liniments containing menthol or warming liniments containing capsaicin can relieve muscle stiffness and fatigue through physical action.

Once the skin is scratched or damaged, the primary focus should be on infection prevention. The correct steps and choice of medications are as follows:

If you encounter dermatitis from insect bites or a plant-induced allergy causing redness and inflammation, you can start by washing the affected area with soap and water. To alleviate local itching, calamine lotion, which has a high safety profile and is suitable for most individuals, is recommended first. If the inflammation is severe, low-potency ointments such as hydrocortisone cream can be used in small amounts for a short period to combat the inflammation. If a rash covers a large area and itching is intense, affecting sleep and daily life, oral antihistamines like loratadine or cetirizine may be taken. It is crucial to stay alert; if severe allergy symptoms such as difficulty breathing, a tight throat, palpitations, or dizziness occur, this signals an emergency, and immediate medical attention should be sought.

A well-prepared home medicine cabinet is a solid support to ensure your spring sports safety. It is recommended to stock the following items and regularly check the expiration dates and conditions of medications.

If you find yourself in the following situations, seek medical attention immediately: