CRISP - Injury Management
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Reporting injuries to the RFU
Regardless of participation in the community rugby injury surveillance project, any club playing within the RFU structure should report the following types of injury to the RFU sports injury administrator using the RFU Injury reporting form:
- An individual who sustains an injury which results in their being admitted to a hospital. This does not include those taken to an Accident or Emergency Department and allowed home from there.
- Deaths occurring during or within 6 hours of the game finishing.
Medical provision
The RFU have produced medical provision guidelines including a list of equipment which clubs should included in a pitch side first aid kit.
Courses
There is a range of first aid courses available for club staff. The RFU emergency first aid course is a recognised emergency first aid at work (EFAW) course with additional emphasis on aspects relating to rugby. The Immediate Care in Sport Course (ICIS) is an advanced, rugby union specific course aimed at the pitch side treatment of potentially catastrophic and life or limb threatening injuries by qualified Physiotherapists and Medical Doctors.
Injury rehabilitation
We have shown that recurrent injuries account for 19% of all injuries. This shows that on occasions, players may not have undergone a full rehabilitation. Injured players should only return to play or full training from a moderate/severe injury after they have been assessed to ensure that they are ready to do so by a suitably qualified coach, doctor or therapist. The rehabilitation of the player should follow a graduated process and incorporate:
- Restoration of a full range of movement in the joint
- Recovery of co-ordination and balance
- The maintenance of fitness by alternative activities such as cycling and swimming
- The recovery of muscle strength
- Gradual introduction of rugby specific skills
- Contact drills followed by full contact
- Return to full training and match play once the above stages have been achieved.
More information can be found on the RFU website for rehabilitation and returning to play.
