The most common reason for physical incapacity in sports activity is muscle injuries. According to estimates, soft tissue injuries account for between 30 and 50 percent of all sports-related injuries. In most athletes with muscle injuries, nonsurgical therapy has a fair prognosis, but treatment failure can have severe effects, delaying the return to physical activity for weeks or even months. A faster return to sport and the ability to foresee problems can both be facilitated by understanding certain fundamental concepts of skeletal muscle regeneration and repair mechanisms. The P.O.L.I.C.E. principle is a modernized first-aid technique for treating musculoskeletal problems. It encourages and directs the loading that is safer and more productive for treating acute soft tissue injuries.
What Is Acute Injury?
Acute injuries occur suddenly, such as when a person falls, is struck, or twists a joint, but chronic injuries typically arise from overusing one part of the body and manifest progressively over time. Sprains and dislocations are examples of acute wounds. Depending on the type of sports injury, there are many courses of treatment, although mild injuries may typically be managed at home by P.O.L.I.C.E. principal (protection, ideal loading, ice, compression, and elevation). With more severe injuries, the patient may need to see a doctor. Individual may also need to be fitted for a cast, splint, or brace, as well as be scheduled for a course of physical therapy for rehabilitation.
What Is the Pathophysiology Associated With Acute Injury?
Regardless of the cause, skeletal muscle recovery proceeds in a consistent manner with few significant changes (contusion, stretch, or laceration). Destruction, restoration, and remodeling were the three stages that were determined for this process. Repair and remodeling, the latter two stages, are intertwined and connected.
1. Phase - 1 (Destruction)
Destruction is marked by myofibril rupture and subsequent necrosis, the development of a hematoma in the space left between the ruptured muscle, and the growth of inflammatory cells.
2. Phase - 2 (Repair)
Repair entails the phagocytosis of necrotic tissue, the regeneration of myofibrils, the concurrent development of connective scar tissue, vascular neoformation, and neural growth.
3. Phase - 3 (Remodeling)
The period during which the myofibrils that were rebuilt mature, the contraction and rearrangement of scar tissue, and the restoration of muscular function.
The regeneration of the myofibril pathway and the development of the scar connective tissue are two concurrent and competitive processes that start the current repair of muscle injury as the destruction phase reduces. The best possible recovery of contractile muscle function depends on the proper advancement of these processes.
What Is P.O.L.I.C.E. Principle?
P - Protection
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Depending on the injured location, various types of devices are employed for protection.
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The ace bandage, aluminum splint, sling, gauze, protective tape, or over-the-counter brace are examples of in-devices.
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These devices are used on the affected area to shield the damaged structures from further harm.
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These tools serve as support in order to reduce strains on the affected area.
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These devices also aid in preventing joint movement, such as when an ankle brace is used to stop inversion and eversion following an ankle sprain.
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Reduced weight bearing on the afflicted area is another benefit.
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For instance, crutches and a cane are helpful to lessen weight bearing on an injured area and to stop further damage.
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Splints, slings, and braces are the basic methods of treatment, and they are also employed in the conservative management of fractures as a part of protection.
O L - Optimal Loading
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It promotes the healing of the tendon, bone, muscle, and ligament, all of which need to be loaded in order to promote healing.
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It is accomplished by incorporating manual techniques from a wide variety of currently accessible therapies into the therapy of Michonne's intervention.
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Contrarily, crutches and other supports often associated with resting play a bigger part in modifying and regulating appropriate loading in the early phases of rehabilitation.
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The appropriate amount of activity aids in managing edema (fluid buildup).
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Start giving the patient strengthening exercises after a few days of rest by introducing passive range-of-motion (ROM) and active range-of-motion.
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In order to prevent delays in restoring normal joint movement and to promote optimal healing, gradual loading must be used.
I - Ice Application
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Any frozen items are applied directly to the site of the injury as soon as possible (such as ice, an ice pack, or frozen peas).
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As the blood flow of the area is reduced, blood circulation is slowed, and the area is relaxed, which helps to lessen bleeding and edema from the injury.
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Ice can help to lessen pain.
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Ice is useful for decreasing inflammation brought on by an injury.
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Ice packs are typically used as treatments for injuries since they are affordable, effective, and made of crushed ice, which is more comfortable for the area being treated.
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The skin and ice bag are separated by a thin layer (paper towel).
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If ice is applied for an extended period of time, the body will attempt to regulate its temperature by pumping more blood into the injured area, which will result in red or pinkish skin.
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Remove the ice from the injured area as soon as one can notice red or pinkish skin.
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When the body temperature returns to normal, the ice is reapplied.
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Ice is also applied after exercise since it eases discomfort and pain and promotes relaxation.
C - Compression
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For the purpose of reducing bleeding, compression is applied to the injured site as soon as possible. Additionally, it provides modest support and helps to minimize edema and speed up recovery.
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The bandage's application of external force to the wounded tissue.
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It is put with a strapping around it for holding to the pad in the injury site and a hard pad placed over the area of injury.
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Although this applies to compression in every limb, it is frequently utilized tube-grip-type bandages for compression.
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If the bandage is causing tingling, numbness, or a change in the soft tissue's color, remove it as soon as possible. Because it minimizes the blood flow to the other place, the bandage or pad is not too tight for the affected body part.
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The best time to take off and loosen the elastic bandage is while the patient is sleeping.
E - Elevation
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With the aid of gravity, swelling can be reduced by elevating the injured area.
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Additionally, it is lowered to the affected tissues' blood pressure.
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It is possible to shorten the recovery time by limiting the loss of random moments.
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It is also used right away following an injury.
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Elevation works best to minimize swelling during the first 24 to 48 hours after the incident.
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In order to elevate the damaged area and provide comfortable support, use a pillow.
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Elevation should ideally be higher than the height of the heart.
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Sleeping is the best time for elevation.
Conclusion
The protection, optimal loading, ice, compression, and elevation (P.O.L.I.C.E) principle describes immediate therapy for any soft tissue injury, including skeletal muscle injuries. The P.O.L.I.C.E concept is justified by the fact that it is extremely practical, as the five measurements demand that the bleeding from the injury site be kept to a minimum. It is advised to immobilize the patient for a brief duration using a firm or comparable adhesive bandage. The scar tissue can reconnect to muscle failure during this period of rest. To know more about this condition, consult a doctor online.
