PRICE

• what type of injury should be treated using PRICE?

  Acute injuries
• what is the aim of the PRICE protocol ?

  minimise muscle or joint injury
• what is the impact of PRICE?

  swelling is reduced, pain is eased and further damage is prevented
• What does PRICE stand for ?

  P- protection

  R- rest

  I- ice

  C- compression

  E- elevation
• what should happen at the protection stage of PRICE?


  protect injury and the player from any other further damage, stop playing
• what can you use to protect the injury ?

  padding, splints, crutches
• what should happen under the rest stage of PRICE?


  allow the injury time to heal and prevent further damage
• what happens if the performer does not adequately rest?

  injury complication and increased recovery time.
• how long should you rest for?

  2-3 days minimum
• what should you do when exiting the rest stage?

  slowly reintroduce movement so recovery is not delayed by losing muscle strength.
• how should ice be applied ?

  indirectly to the skin
• why is ice applied?

  to reduce inflammation and pain, swelling and bruising
• what time periods should ice be applied ?

  10 minutes of application repeated after a 60 minute break for 2-3 hours
• in what ways can you compress an injury ?

  bandage
• why should you compress an injury ?

  Reduce swelling
• what should you monitor in the compression stage?

  the tightness of the compression as continued swelling can occur.
• when should you not compress an injury ?

  when you are asleep
• how much should you elevate the injury ?

  above heart level
• why should you elevate the injury above heart level ?

  reduce blood flow to an area and decrease swelling.
• how long should the PRICE protocol be followed for?

  the first 2-3 days after the injury.
• what type of acute soft tissue injury is price not applicable for ?

  ligament sprain
• why is PRICE not applicable for a ligament sprain ?

  It decreases blood flow and immune responses to the injured area. Ligaments have very few blood vessels therefore delaying healing.
• How should you treat a ligament sprain instead of PRICE ?

  movement and exercise with pain relieves, physio therapy