The Essential Checklist for Serious Injuries

Sustaining an injury is anything but fun. An ER visit just makes sense for obvious injuries such as broken bones. But when should you seek medical attention for less pain or minor injuries? We’ve compiled a serious injury checklist for sports and accidental injuries.

Accidental Injuries

Accidental injuries can occur during everyday activities, like gardening or cooking dinner. In some cases, symptoms don’t manifest right away. You must note how you feel after an injury, even if it seems insignificant.

Some symptoms to look out for include:

• Sudden, severe pain that doesn’t go away after a few minutes
• Joint pain or deformity
• Intense bruising or swelling
• Restricted movement in the affected area

Remember, it’s always better to err on the side of caution—especially regarding head injuries.

Sports Injuries

Sports injuries tend to be more common among young athletes. The most common types of sports injuries are:

• Sprains and strains
• Fractures
• Dislocations
• Head injuries
• Abrasions and contusions

If you experience any of the above symptoms after a sporting injury, seek medical attention immediately.

Self-Assessment Checklist

Use these serious injury checklist questions to assess your injury better.

• Location of pain: It’s important to note where you feel pain after an injury. Does the pain stay in one spot or radiate outwards?
• Pain severity: How intense is the pain? Is it a dull ache or a sharp, shooting sensation?
• Onset of pain: Did the pain start immediately after the injury, or did it develop gradually over time?
• Duration of pain: How long does the pain last? Is it a fleeting discomfort, or does it linger for hours or days?
• Aggravating factors: What makes the pain worse? For example, does bending your knee increase discomfort?
• Alleviating factors: What makes the pain better? For example, does resting your leg help ease the pain?
• Other symptoms: Are there any other symptoms present besides pain? For example, do you have swelling or bruising around the injured area?

The answers to each of these questions are crucial to understanding your injury.

Treatment & Best Practices

If your answers to the serious injury checklist are mild, you may have only suffered a minor injury. You can use over-the-counter medicine and ice packs to treat minor scrapes and bruises at home. If the pain persists for more than a few days or if you notice any other symptoms, you should see a doctor.

Obviously, not every injury will have serious consequences. Consider the key signs of a major injury, like deep cuts or bleeding. When in doubt, it’s always best to be safe and get checked out. If you sustained a serious injury that needs medical attention, contact Reliable MD today!