Playing sports is not only fun but can help keep us in shape. Despite our best efforts to avoid injury during athletic play, accidents can and do happen. Here are some of the most common sports injuries.
Sprained Ankle
Sprained ankles are very common and can happen to almost anyone at any time. A sprained ankle occurs when the ankle is awkwardly twisted or turned, such as when you are moving in a particular direction then quickly pivot in another direction.
If you suffer a sprained ankle, you should see a doctor right away. While it may seem like a small injury, you could have a fracture or other more serious issue that needs treatment right away. If an orthopedic doctor diagnoses you with a sprained ankle, it can be treated with a few days of RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation), bracing, casting, and/or therapy. The use of over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen) should control the pain.
Knee Injuries
As the largest joint in the body, your knees are subject to great force, especially when jumping and running. For this reason, knee injuries are common among athletes. Common injuries include fractures, dislocations, meniscal tears, tendon tears, and ligament injuries.
To treat knee injuries, an orthopedic physician will conduct a physical examination, order imaging tests to see inside the knee, and then recommend treatments to fix the issue. In some cases, surgery may be required to fix damage caused by a knee injury.
Little League Elbow or Tennis Elbow
Repetitive movements in sports like baseball and tennis can cause conditions like little league elbow and tennis elbow. Little league elbow is an overuse injury associated with throwing a baseball repeatedly. Tennis elbow is an overuse injury caused by the overuse of the arm and wrist. Symptoms of tennis elbow include pain at the outer edge of the elbow, which can lead to difficulty trying to turn a doorknob, shake hands, or hold onto things.
Both of these conditions are most often treated through rest and physical therapy. However, in cases where the conditions have accelerated significantly, other treatments such as injections or surgery may be required. This is why early diagnosis is crucial. If you experience any type of pain, see an orthopedic physician immediately for early diagnosis and treatment before your condition worsens.
Shoulder Injuries
Not only are shoulder injuries common in sports, they can also be very painful. Shoulder dislocations, for example, are common in high-contact sports in which collisions are common, such as football, boxing, and wrestling. Setting a dislocated shoulder joint should only be done by a trained orthopedic physician who has education, training and experience in this matter.
Other common shoulder injuries include damage to the rotator cuff (a group of muscles and tendons at the shoulder joint that help to power your arm) or the labrum (the cartilage lining the rim of the shoulder socket). Often, these shoulder injuries are due to repeated stress and overuse associated with certain athletic movements.
These conditions are often treated based on the severity of the injuries. In a lot of cases, RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) therapy is enough. However, in some cases, physical therapy or surgery may be necessary.
Sports Injury Care in Pembroke Pines, Florida
If you are suffering from a sports injury, it’s very important to see an orthopedic physician immediately for quick diagnosis and treatment. The experts at Total Orthopaedic Care are highly trained and experienced in treating every type of sports injury. They have two convenient locations (Lauderdale Lakes and Pembroke Pines) to better serve South Florida residents. Call us at (954) 735-3535 or request an appointment online. We even offer same-day service for new acute injuries so you can get diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible.
