N E W S L E T T E R
GETTING BACK IN THE GAME A V O I D I N G S U R G E R Y A F T E R A S P O R T S I N J U R Y
Exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. For many people, playing sports isa funway toburnextracalories,socialize,andget fit. Unfortunately, this also means the occasional sports injury or a flare up of an old injury or condition. You don’t have to be a professional or even an amateur athlete to suffer a sports injury. In fact, many times, those most susceptible to sports injuries are people who have just started exercising or participate on a recreational level. Sports injuries in this article will be defined as injuries to the musculoskeletal system, includingmuscles,bonesandtissuessuchascartilage.Themostcommon sports injuries include: SPRAINS . A sprain occurs when the connective tissue that joins the end of the bonewithanother isstretchedor torn. Thoseconnective tissuesareknownas ligaments. Sprainsarecausedby traumasuchasa fallorblow to thebody that knocks a joint out of position. Ankles, knees and wrists are most vulnerable to sprains. However, back, neck and shoulder sprains are very common too. STRAINS. A strain occurs when a muscle or tendon is pulled, torn or twisted. Strainsarenon-contact injuries,suchas those thatoccur fromoverstretching. A common example of a strain is a muscle spasm. A back or neck strain is a very common injury treated in physical therapy. KNEEINJURIES .AccordingtotheU.S.DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices, theknee isthemostcommonly injured joint. Orthopedicsurgeonsseemorethan
5.5 million people annually for knee injuries, which can include runner’s knee (painortendernessclosetothekneecapatthefrontsideoftheknee),tendonitis and iliotibial band syndrome (pain on the outer side of the knee). Severe knee injuries often include bone bruises or damage to the cartilage or ligaments. SHINSPLINTS . Shin splints occur when there is a pain along the large bone in the front of the lower leg, known as the tibia or shin bone. Shin splints most commonly occur in runners, especially those who are just starting a running program. This isusuallydue topooralignmentof thebody,orweakness in the leg muscles. TheteamatTheFitnessLabcantreatmanyorthopedicandrepetitivemotion injuries without theneed for invasivesurgeriesormedications. In fact,mostdoctorshave theirpatientstryphysicaltherapyfirstbeforerecommendinganyotherprocedures. The licensed physical therapists and physical therapist assistants at The Fitness Lab can customize a program that addresses the weakness of your particular musculoskeletalsystem,allowingyoutorecoverquicklyandremainactive. Even if youhaveanold injury, it is importanttohave itevaluatedbyourphysicaltherapists toprevent long-termdamage likearthritis. Ifyouhavesportsororthopedic injuries like tendonitis, arthritis, a stress fracture or low back pain, our therapists can design a treatment plan to promote improved function, wellness and minimize the risk of re-injury.
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