Types of Sports Injuries
Sports injuries can be prevented via keeping your body in good physical condition. Research has shown that a strength and flexibility program provides better performance and reduces the risk of trauma, once the body is subject to stresses. When the injury occurs, it reveals a defect in the individuals physical preparation, in the choice of the material used or in the sport technique used. An adjustment in the sports program is always possible after an injury, but only if the care, both immediate and long-term, is adapted and led to total healing.
Going to an orthopedic surgeon can be the first step to recovery. Dr. Gordon Slater is an expert in Minimally Invasive Foot Surgery and particularly specializes in treating bunions. You can consult a specialist like him, in your quest to restore your physical peak. He has vast experience in orthopedic trauma and specializes in treating ankle surgeries, arthroscopy, and also performs foot surgeries. If you have sustained a serious injury due to taking part in any kind of sport, the trauma might be severe. Here are some sports injuries and how to treat them.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis is a very painful and debilitating condition of a tendon. In the arm, shoulder or knee or heel tendonitis can be caused by mechanical causes, infections and food. The care varies according to the triggering factor. The types of tendonitis cases include: Tendonitis with Achilles tendon, Treat ankle tendonitis, Patellar tendonitis, Tendonitis of the fascia lata, Tennis elbow and tendonitis of the elbow. Additionally, at the worst case, an athlete can experience what is known as Achilles Tendon Rupture.
What is Achilles Tendon Rupture?
Achilles Tendon Rupture is a condition that occurs when the Achilles tendon separates into two separate parts after the introduction to a stress, that causes the tendon to shear then break! It is usually associated with hearing a loud “pop” in the feet once there’s a vigorous blow to the heel area. The variation in ankle conditions is expansive from minor conditions to debilitating conditions where patients cannot walk. Not all ankle pain sufferers are the same!
The symptoms list can be numerous! The symptoms of Achilles tendon rupture can be mistaken for additional ailments, so consult with your foot and ankle surgeon in order to determine what the root cause of your ankle pain is!
What are the symptoms of Achilles Tendon Rupture?
As an injury of the lower leg, the statistics have proven that the condition occurs when a blow is received to the back of the lower leg. As a ligament, the Achilles tendon facilitates the flexibility of the ankle joint. Athletes are the number one suffers from Achilles tendon rupture. Additionally, risk factors such as age, gender, antibiotic usage, obesity, and steroid usage have proven to increase the odds of Achilles Tendon Rupture.
As a strong fibrous cord, via the laws of physics, if stretched to the limit…the Achilles Heel will definitely break. Orthopaedics has identified two different types of rupture of the Achilles Tendon:
- Complete Rupture: This results in the tearing of the tendon into two segments, as outlined in the image above.
- Partial Rupture: This results in the partial tearing of the tendon. There will still be a joining of the tendon at one phase of the defect, but a separation at one stage.
What are the treatment options for Achilles Tendon Rupture?
With an excruciating pain that affects your ability to walk, the most common treatment for Achilles Tendon rupture is a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Surgery is the ideal way to engineer the tendon back to its former glory. As with all surgery, your orthopaedic surgeon will assess the area, usually with a scan like an X-ray in order to determine where the problem is. Post surgery, you will be prescribed a recovery plan, to facilitate your healing.
While there are non-surgical treatments for Achilles tendon rupture, minimally invasive procedures have proven effective for healing the root cause, particularly for a internal tear. For maintenance of the ankle, stretching exercises have proven effective in facilitating the healing of the ankle regions. An appropriate physiotherapy will aid in the restoration.
Shin splints
Shin splints occur mainly in athletes at the beginning of the season and in those starting a new activity. Careful stretching prior to your workouts, will reduce your body’s exposure to shock. When the body is afflicted with shin splints, your doctor will prescribe that you minimize your activity in order to facilitate the healing process. A two week rest period is usually ideal. Treatment options for Shin Splints include: leg elevation, cold compresses to reduce your inflammation, taking prescription or non-prescription painkillers such as ibuprofen, and wearing a compression bandage.
Muscle aches
Sports muscle pain is caused by biomechanical factors, the intensity of training or the inadequacy of the physical preparation. Muscle aches are indication of growth, so carefully allow yourself to recover by taking time between your workouts to recover and heal.
Cramps
There are six unknown origins of cramps. One includes a disruption of the movement of calcium in the muscle cells. Additionally, muscle stress is a factor, so carefully ensure that you are constantly stretching. The aggravating factors are multiple and sometimes ignored.
Treatment
Multiple treatments for sports injuries are now available ranging from injections (such as with PRP) through to minimally invasive surgical options.
Article Reference:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/achilles-tendon-rupture/symptoms-causes/syc-203532
Author Reference:
Sean Smith (Project Management)
