S E P T E M B E R / O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 45 Sports injuries are common daily occurrences in the U.S. Most sports injuries are due to either traumatic injury or overuse of muscles or joints, and can be prevented with proper conditioning and training, wearing appropriate protective gear, and using proper equipment. Sports injuries due to minor trauma involving soft-tissue injuries— injuries that affect the muscles, ligaments, and/ or tendons—include the following: • Contusions (bruises) • Sprains • Tendonitis • Bursitis • Stress injuries • Strains A contusion (bruise) is an injury to the soft tissue, often produced by a blunt force such as a kick, fall, or blow. The result will be pain, swelling, and discoloration. Treatment for contusions includes Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (R.I.C.E.). More serious contusions may need to be examined by a doctor. A sprain is an injury to a ligament and is often caused by a wrench or twist. Sprains often affect the ankles, knees, or wrists. The treatment for a sprain includes R.I.C.E. If the ligament is torn, surgical repair may be necessary. A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon, and is often caused by overuse, force, or stretching. The treatment for a strain is R.I.C.E. If a tear in the muscle occurs, surgical repair may be necessary. Sports and Fract ures Fractures are breaks in the bone that are often caused by a blow or a fall. A fracture may be classified as a simple fracture (a thin fracture that may not run through the entire bone) or a compound fracture, in which the broken bone protrudes through the skin. Stress fractures are weak spots or small cracks in the bone caused by continuous overuse. Stress fractures often occur in the foot after training for basketball, running, and other sports. The bones in the midfoot (metatarsals) in runners are especially vulnerable to stress fractures. Specific treatment for a stress fracture will be determined by your doctor based on: • Your age, overall health, and medical history • Extent of the injury • Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, and therapies • Expectation for the course of the injury Nothing takes the fun out of sports like an injury. Whether you’re a high performance athlete, weekend warrior or like the occasional bit of fun, pain shouldn’t hold you back from enjoying your favorite activity. From a torn ACL to rotator cuff issues to tennis elbow, the sports medicine specialists at Queen of the Valley Medical Center are committed to providing expert care. For assessing your injury, surgery or physical rehabilitation, we provide the best care possible because we understand nobody likes to sit out on the sidelines. Make your appointment to see one of our Sports Medicine specialists today. Call 866-449-DOCS or visit www.thequeen.org. Don’t let IN JURY take the fun out of your favorite sport Preventing Sports Injur ies Most sports injuries are the result of inadequate training in certain sports, structural defects in the body, and weaknesses in the body. Many people who start exercising after being sedentary sustain a sports injury. However, with the proper precautions, sports injuries can often be prevented. The following are some basic steps to prevent a sports injury: • Warm up properly before any physical activity. • Alternate exercising different muscle groups and exercise every other day. • Cool down properly after exercise or sports. • Stretching exercises can improve the ability of muscles to contract and perform, reducing the risk for injury. • Shoe support may correct certain foot problems that can lead to injury.
NVLife_SeptOct_2014
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