Transcription
Musculoskeletal injuries are an occurrence in pole vaulting. Fractures and dislocations can happen at several points in the take off, plant, and clear. Notice how she holds her shoulder initially: forward leaning, and her hand is directly in front of the shoulder itself. The sports PT is asking sample questions and visually assessing for other injuries. Moving athletes off soft surfaces can be a challenge, especially in the case where she cannot push off with her left arm.
The sports PT continues with the head-to-toe assessment, with attention to clearing the cervical spine. Depending on the athlete and the history of previous shoulder injuries, a decision may be made to have the athlete self-relocate her shoulder. The sport PT is showing and talking this athlete through a self-relocation by bending her right knee and interlocking the fingers of both hands in front of her knee. The athlete then leans back, creating attraction force for the left shoulder. As the arm is flexed and distracted, the humerus will pop back into place. While there is still care to be given, including follow-on care for the athlete, this maneuver helps the athlete relax and reduces tension on the neuro-vascular bundle in the axilla. Placing the athlete in a sling will decrease movement and discomfort and allow the athlete to safely get off the pit mats.