...After injuries ranging from a sprained finger to a possible concussion

When the pros go down, they've got a team of experts ready to treat even the most minor bumps and bruises. The rest of us are left to fend for ourselves - unless you count the well-intentioned advice of teammates and bystanders.
When more than just your pride is hurt, how do you know when to walk it off and when to hightail it to the nearest emergency room?

To help answer this question, I consulted a team of experts who make their living tending to the bruised, broken and bloodied.

Athletic therapists Scott Suter, Cristina Pensato and Tina Giannakakis have seen their share of sports injuries. Suter patches up the Montreal Alouettes and Pensato does the same for the Impact. Giannakakis has worked with the national women's hockey team. All three also work at Montreal-area sports medicine clinics where they treat the aches and pains of the average Joe or Jill.
With their help, here's a primer on what to do the next time you, or someone you know, plays hard enough to get hurt.

Bop to the nose

"Put a small ice pack over the bridge of the nose and apply gentle pressure," Suter said. The ice controls the bleeding and should be kept in place until the blood stops flowing. Don't worry about tilting the head forward or backward and don't pack the nose full of tissue or gauze pads. Just be patient and let the ice do its job. Return to play when the blood stops flowing. If the nose looks crooked or bruising is setting in under the eyes, head to the hospital.

While we're talking about blood, no athlete should return to play until bleeding has stopped and blood has been cleaned from skin, clothing and playing surfaces. The pros use a one-to-10 solution of bleach and water to get rid of blood, and they always wear gloves to prevent the transfer of disease.

Pop in the knee

If you hear a pop in your knee either from impact or while making a quick cutting motion, "that's not a good sign," said Suter - especially if the knee feels unstable. Chances are you've torn one of the ligaments inside the knee joint. Don't make the mistake of thinking a lack of swelling means the injury isn't serious. See a sports medicine professional right away.

Jammed or sprained finger

Getting your finger jammed or bent backward by a hard hit or thrown ball is common in throwing and catching sports. Apply ice right away or stick your finger in ice-cold water for 10 minutes, Giannakakissuggested. Taping your injured finger to its healthy neighbour is a good strategy to help protect the sore digit. Just make sure you tape the finger above and below the injured site.
Visit a health-care professional only if there is visible deformity in the alignment of your finger or if you can't move the finger several minutes after the injury has occurred. Return to play when your finger opens and closes fully and you can execute sports specific tasks like throwing and catching.

A rolled ankle

If you can't walk or need help getting off the field immediately after rolling the ankle, take your shoe off and apply ice, Pensato said. If you're lucky and the pain diminishes quickly, try jogging, running and shuffling side-to-side while on the sidelines. Return to play if you can move freely with little or no discomfort.
If you still can't put weight on the injured ankle after 10 minutes, go to the emergency room where they'll probably take an x-ray and give you a referral for physical therapy. Keep ice on the ankle while waiting for medical care. Visit a physio- or athletic therapist for rehab to ensure that your ankle regains strength and range of motion, otherwise you'll be more susceptible to re-injury and further damage.

Sharp pain in the back of the leg

If you feel like someone kicked you in the back of the shin, you've probably torn your Achilles tendon. The pain might be manageable, and it's possible you'll be able to walk around, but, Suter said, the inability to push off the injured foot is a sign the Achilles is either partially or completely torn. Get to the hospital right away as "there's a narrow window of opportunity for proper repair," Suter said.

A blow to the head

A whack to the head, a blow to the jaw, a violent twist of the head or a whiplash type motion can all lead to a concussion, which no matter how mild is considered a serious injury, according to the Canadian Association of Sports Medicine. It's important to note that you don't have to lose consciousness to experience concussion symptoms, which include but are not limited to headache, dizziness, a dazed feeling, ringing in the ears, nausea, seeing stars or flashing lights and feeling "slow."

Returning to play immediately after any blow to the head is risky, as even a mild hit too soon after the first one can lead to permanent brain injury or even death. Consult with a medical professional who will evaluate the symptoms and advise on return-to-play protocols, which include refraining from any type of physical activity until all symptoms have abated.