Component #1 - subjective methods
The subjective portion of the injury assessment will contain information addressing the following:
- Previous History of Injury
- General Medical Health
- Relevant Illnesses/Potential Labwork
- Current Medications
- Mechanism of Injury
- Onset/duration of symptoms
- Location/Type/Severity of pain
- Previous History of Injury
- General Medical Health
- Relevant Illnesses/Potential Labwork
- Current Medications
- Mechanism of Injury
- Onset/duration of symptoms
- Location/Type/Severity of pain
Individual components of subjective assessment
PREVIOUS HISTORY OF INJURY- This information is a crucial component of the injury evaluation. Addressing any previous injuries to a similar area of the body and any weaknesses due to an injury, may lend insight to the clinical diagnosis of an injury and may even impact the type/ duration of overall treatment. It is important to inquire about congenital conditions as certain conditions may predispose an individual to certain injuries.
GENERAL MEDICAL HEALTH- The General health portion of the injury assessment covers the current health status of the patient/athlete. Any underlying medical conditions will be assessed here and may lend insight to the diagnosis/ treatment parameters of a specific individual.
CURRENT MEDICATIONS- Questioning and understanding the medications an individual is consuming is important as well. Medications, which vary exponentially from each other, affect every individual differently and may contribute to limited or decreased performance in either athletics or daily living, but may also predispose an individual to injury.
MECHANISM OF INJURY- The mechanism of injury (MOI) is an extremely important portion of the medical history which requires the Healthcare Professional to recreate a situation that occurred to another individual. The MOI generally correlates directly with the clinical diagnosis of an injury. The healthcare professional will take the specifics of the injury itself, and apply it to the local area of injury. When gathering the MOI, the healthcare professional should also evaluate whether or not the patient heard any abnormal sounds when the injury occurred, as well as evaluate whether or not the patient felt anything abnormal.
ONSET/ DURATION OF SYMPTOMS- The onset/duration of symptoms is a component of the medical evaluation in which important information regarding the onset of the injury. Whether or not the injury/condition was acute, meaning an immediate occurrence, or chronic, meaning pre-existing or a gradual increase in signs/symptoms.
GENERAL MEDICAL HEALTH- The General health portion of the injury assessment covers the current health status of the patient/athlete. Any underlying medical conditions will be assessed here and may lend insight to the diagnosis/ treatment parameters of a specific individual.
CURRENT MEDICATIONS- Questioning and understanding the medications an individual is consuming is important as well. Medications, which vary exponentially from each other, affect every individual differently and may contribute to limited or decreased performance in either athletics or daily living, but may also predispose an individual to injury.
MECHANISM OF INJURY- The mechanism of injury (MOI) is an extremely important portion of the medical history which requires the Healthcare Professional to recreate a situation that occurred to another individual. The MOI generally correlates directly with the clinical diagnosis of an injury. The healthcare professional will take the specifics of the injury itself, and apply it to the local area of injury. When gathering the MOI, the healthcare professional should also evaluate whether or not the patient heard any abnormal sounds when the injury occurred, as well as evaluate whether or not the patient felt anything abnormal.
ONSET/ DURATION OF SYMPTOMS- The onset/duration of symptoms is a component of the medical evaluation in which important information regarding the onset of the injury. Whether or not the injury/condition was acute, meaning an immediate occurrence, or chronic, meaning pre-existing or a gradual increase in signs/symptoms.
Case Scenario 1:
This individual has had no previous history of injury to either knee, and exhibits a structural deformity known as Pes Planus. She has been wearing custom orthotics for the past 2 years. No acute mechanism of injury is present and overall onset resembles a gradual/chronic condition. She has experienced irritation to her knee for the past three years with pain ranging from mild to moderate. Activities that increase her pain include planting and rotating motions at the knee, lunging movements, and jogging.
Case Scenario 2:
Athlete took a hit to the same left quad two weeks prior during a game which caused severe spasming, as well. Aside from that, the athlete has had no prior history of injury to either quad.