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Pulmonary Contusion, Sports Medicine

Douglas Comeau, DO, CAQSM, FAAFP and Angelene M. Elliott, DO Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

  • The clinical syndrome, following blunt chest trauma of chest pain and respiratory difficulty, with or without hemoptysis, confirmed by findings on chest radiographs (CXRs) or other imaging:

    • Spec...

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis is suspected when an athlete sustains a blunt trauma to the chest and has respiratory difficulty: 
  • Hemoptysis after an injury is highly suggestive of a pulmonary contusion.

HISTORY

  • Bl...

TREATMENT

  • Prehospital:

    • Primary on-field concerns:

      • Multiple cites of trauma in motor sports or high-velocity sports (downhill skiing) should be stabilized and transported immediately by emergency service...

ONGOING CARE

Return to play 2,3[C]: 
  • Simple chest wall contusions:

    • Same day

    • Athlete must be nondyspneic, able to perform usual movements as required for the sport, and able to tolerate pain without narco...

REFERENCES

1
Cohn SM, Dubose JJ. Pulmonary contusion: an update on recent advances in clinical management. World J Surg.  2010;34(8):1959–1970.
2
Lively MW, Stone D. Pulmonary contusion in football ...

ADDITIONAL READING

Dubinsky I, Low A. Non-life-threatening blunt chest trauma: appropriate investigation and treatment. Am J Emerg Med.  1997;15(3):240–243. 

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Blunt thoracic trauma with high-energy mechanism should always prompt a thorough evaluation, as pulmonary contusions and rib fractures are commonly associated with significant internal...

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