Injured Athletes Policies

General Instructions:

The role of the athletic trainer is for the care and prevention of athletic injuries. If an athlete is injured on the athletic field, he/she needs to be evaluated by the athletic trainer. The athletic trainer can be reached through a student athletic trainer on the field or, if the injured athlete waits until the next day, he/she can be seen by the athletic trainer in the training room during his/her free period, consultation or X period. The athletic trainer will evaluate the injury and decide if a doctor's referral is necessary. If the school physician does not need to be summoned, then rehabilitation of the injury will start right away.

Do not come after school for evaluations or rehabilitation. Due to the many athletic events at Lawrenceville, limited rehabilitation hours are held after school because the athletic trainer will be at the athletic events.

Service is rendered to an injured athlete on a first-come-first-serve basis. No appointment is necessary.

Taping for Lawrenceville Students:

The Lawrenceville Athletic Training Staff tape only athletes with orthopedic problems. Preventative taping will be performed with athletic trainer approval and as long as the athlete comes everyday. The athletic trainers do not tape just for game days. If an injured athlete needs to be taped, he/she must first be evaluated by the athletic trainer who will decide whether or not taping is necessary. If the athletic trainer approves, the injured athlete will be taped after school by someone on staff. The athlete should plan ahead and come early enough so that he/she is not late for practice.

Athletic Training Room:

When an athlete walks into the athletic training room, he/she must sign in on athletic training room computer. Service will be rendered on a first-come first-serve basis. The athlete must also be aware that no cleats or muddy shoes are allowed in the athletic training room or the field house.

Injured and Cannot Participate:

If the athlete is injured enough that he/she can not participate in a full practice, a note will be given to the athlete for the coach or and email will be sent to the coach with instructions as to the level of participation for that practice. The injured athlete will receive another note when his/her status has changed. This means, the athlete must continue to see the athletic trainer on a daily basis until he/she is cleared for competition. The athlete must attend practices daily when injured unless instructed not to by the coach.

The injured athlete cannot participate unless he/she has a note from an athletic trainer or the school physician. When an injured athlete can demonstrate they he/she can perform those activities that are needed for competition, he/she can be cleared and guided back into practice.

Depending upon the injury, the general rule is that if a returning injured athlete does not practice first, he/she will not play in the game.

Injured Athlete on the Field:

If an athlete is injured on the field, no matter what type, he/she should never be moved by an untrained individual. If the injured athlete has a head or spinal injury and is moved improperly, the vertebrae can shift and sever the spinal cord. A severed spinal cord can mean permanent paralysis for that athlete. Thus, you should never move an injured athlete.

Other:

1. To help prevent injuries, no athlete should be wearing any kind of jewelry, especially rings, watches and ear rings.
2. Athletes are prohibited from chewing gum during any practice or game. This includes all contact and noncontact sports.
3. During pre-season, please be aware of pre-blister hot spots. If an athlete starts to develop a hot spot, he/she should seek out a student athletic trainer so that the hot spot can be taken care of before it turns into a blister.
4. Expect to be sore during pre-season. This soreness should last 3-4 days. If the athlete stretches well before and after practice, this should help reduce some of the soreness.
5. During hot days, the athlete should make sure they drink plenty of water to decrease the chance of heat illness. A key to follow is the color of urine. If the athlete's urine is dark yellow with an odor, then they are not getting enough fluids and need to rehydrate. If it is clear and odorless, then fluid intake is OK.
6. No bandannas are to be worn. A knot in the bandanna creates extra pressure on the back of the head and neck when hit. This can lead to a severe spinal injury.