Physical Injury: Definition and Classification
Physical injury is defined as damage to the body caused by external force from a variety of mechanisms, including traffic or transportation-related injuries, falls, assault, explosions, and other forms of external trauma. 1
Types of Physical Injuries
Physical injuries are commonly classified into two main categories:
1. Traumatic (Acute) Injuries
- Definition: Bodily injuries caused directly by participation in an activity or external force
- Mechanisms:
- Blunt trauma: Injury caused by transferring energy through acceleration forces to the victim (typically from motor vehicles or falls) 2
- Penetrating trauma: Injury caused when an object crushes and tears tissues it traverses (e.g., knife wounds, gunshot wounds) 2
- Blast trauma: May have features of both penetrating and blunt trauma 1
- Examples: Fractures, sprains, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal organ injuries 1
2. Non-Traumatic (Overuse/Exertional) Injuries
- Definition: Injuries resulting from exertion during activity or as a complication secondary to a non-fatal injury 1
- Examples: Tendinitis, bursitis, stress fractures, exertional heat illness 1
Risk Factors for Physical Injury
Risk factors can be categorized as:
1. Extrinsic Risk Factors
- Training parameters (frequency, duration, intensity)
- Environmental conditions
- Equipment and protective gear
- Surface conditions 1
2. Intrinsic Risk Factors
- Age and sex
- Previous injury history
- Physical fitness level
- Anatomical factors
- Health behaviors 1
Epidemiology and Impact
- Traumatic injuries are the leading cause of death in the United States for people ages 1-44 years 1
- Worldwide, traumatic injuries are the sixth leading cause of death and the fifth leading cause of moderate and severe disability 1
- Young males ages 15-24 have the greatest burden of injury 1
- Physical injuries can have substantial implications for mental health and well-being 3, 4
Physical and Mental Aspects of Injury
- Physical and mental injuries exist as relative aspects of human injury with different medical and legal features 5
- Victims of past physical injuries often report higher incidences of illness and poorer perceived health status 4
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health conditions frequently occur following traumatic physical injury 3, 6
Classification Systems for Specific Injuries
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Mild TBI: Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) 13-15
- Moderate TBI: GCS 9-12
- Severe TBI: GCS 3-8 7
Urologic Trauma
- Renal injuries: Most commonly injured genitourinary organ, occurring in up to 5% of trauma victims 1
- Ureteral injuries: Rare, accounting for 1% of urologic injuries 1
- Bladder injuries: Often associated with pelvic fractures 1
Clinical Implications
- Physical injuries require appropriate evaluation and management based on the type and severity of injury
- Early identification of both physical and potential mental health consequences is essential for optimal outcomes 3
- The relationship between physical trauma and mental health is significant, with conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety being frequent sequelae 3
Physical injury represents a significant public health concern with substantial impacts on mortality, morbidity, and quality of life. Understanding the mechanisms, classifications, and consequences of physical injury is essential for effective prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies.