Just a medical update that might help some out there-this time of year I'm seeing more cauliflower ear. This results from trauma to the ear with subsequent collection of bloody fluid (auricular hematoma). If left alone, the ear will become permantly deformed and often hearing may become impaired as well. Treatment needs to be drainage AND compression. If you just drain it, the fluid will return. A good family doc or ENT can take care of the problem with the wrestler only missing 1 day-
numb the ear with 1% xylocaine without epi; drain with an 18gauge needle, then sew thru and thru with 3-0 nylon suture compressing the front and back of ear with either small rolls of gauze or a silicone splint. Leave this in for 5-14 days. Use oral antibiotics to minimize infection (keflex). Wrestler may compete with this in place. Prevention-wear your headgear during practice!

That was to coolest post ever, because you just gave me everything I need to perform my own surgeries!

Doc,
Nice post on the cauliflower ear, your posts should become a weekly update on common wrestling injuries and treatment/prevention. Many of my wrestlers claim that they "read"(prolly the internet, cause you can believe everything on the net)that stretching does nothing to prevent injury. Being old school and old I just can not belive this. In your expert medical opinion is this true or another urban legend of sorts.
Nothing I have ever read in "print" has supported this statement nor have I ever met a trainer or a MD who has not told me to stretch.
One other question, I know you usually get to bill for this type info(joke), does the R.I.C.E. formula(rest, ice, compression, elevation)work for injuries to shoulders/knees when it may not be a sprain/tear it could be the muscle surrounding the joint? Shouldn't it be heat for that injury?
Great post and thanks for any information you may feel the need to pass on.
Sincerely,
Coach Brown

I'm perplexed ... there are people who would actually get "the ear" treated?

Coach-thanks for the kind words,in response to your question regarding stretching:
The most recent data suggests that stretching is beneficial when the muscle is 'warm'; therefore, I recommend a slow jog first and then stretch

The R.I.C.E. regimen for acute injuries is still the best to date-after any injury inflammation is the initial problem and ice and non-steroidal antiinflammatory medications such as advil etc.. are the best.

I actually have some kids who think "the ear" would be cool to have. It makes them look tough, like a wrestler I guess. Our superstars all have it, look at their pictures. Even I am guilty of wishing to have "the ear" at one time, then I got it and my parents made me treat it and that was enough for me, headgear whenever wrestling live.
Ahh, sometimes you just have to laugh! I did have a former wrestler who was plagued with "the ear" last season and he was very uncomfortable with it, put his headgear on when wrestling live, he was right as rain.
I guess it is like having a black eye, always thought it made ya look tougher!But I wouldn't wish it on anybody!
Coach Brown

This is a great string. I took the liberty of editing it for a note to our HS wrestlers and thought I'd post it. Doc, I hope I didn't loose or confuse anything...!?

Cauliflower ear results from ear trauma with subsequent collection of bloody fluid (auricular hematoma). If left alone, the ear may become permanently deformed with impaired hearing. Treatment = drainage + compression. Drainage alone allows the fluid to return. A family doc or ENT can treat the ear, miss 1 day of wrestling.
1. Numb the ear with 1% xylocaine without EPI.
2. Drain with an 18 gauge needle.
3. Sew thru and thru, compressing the ear front and back
(3-0 nylon suture with either small rolls of gauze or a silicone splint).
4. Control infection with oral antibiotics (keflex) for 5-14 days.

Many wrestlers claim, “Stretching does nothing to prevent injury”. The most recent data suggests that stretching is beneficial when the muscle is 'warm'; therefore, a slow jog should precede the stretch.

Does the R.I.C.E. formula (rest, ice, compression, elevation) work for shoulders or knees injuries? The R.I.C.E. regimen for acute injuries (tissue/muscle surrounding a joint, not a sprain or tear) is still the best to date.

Shouldn't heat be applied to that injury? After any injury inflammation is the initial problem. Ice and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (Advil, etc) are the best.