Transcription
The sports PT assesses the injury in the athlete from the moment of the witnessed injury. In this case, the athlete is already sitting up on elbows and can readily stand and move off the track. If the athlete needed more time, the official would be notified to hold the next heat until the athlete is safely out of the way and moved in an appropriate manner.
There are injuries on both the right arm and shin. The sports PT starts with the sample questions and then begins to get a history and complete the head-to-toe assessment. She stops to assess the wounds for depth and damage. She cleans the wound with a spray saline and then begins to clean and dress the leg. In this case, she uses non-stick gauze and Coban to wrap the wound.
Different sports have different rules regarding return to play with wounds. In this case, if he were cleared physically, he would be allowed to return with these injuries dressed as they are. For the arm, she is using Tegaderm, a waterproof clear dressing that sticks even with sweat and will not feel bulky on this athlete's arm. She places ice on the arm for comfort and to reduce swelling and pain.
Return to play would be determined by the athlete's confidence, safety, and ability to execute the sport or heat without further injury.