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The most common injuries on the playing field
include sprains, strains and overuse injuries.
The musculoskeletal system has many intricate connections that
allow the body to do many different things.
Muscles expand and contract enabling you to move.
They are attached to bones by tendons.
Bones are connected to each other at flexible joints by
ligaments.
Types of bone, joint and muscle injuries
Stiff muscles are caused by overexertion.
They ache and are sore, but there is no loss of function.
Tendinitis is the inflammation of a muscle tendon, usually due to
repeated overuse. It causes
mild to moderate pain. A
sprain is an injury to a ligament, either a stretching or tearing.
When a ligament is torn or stretched, the joint becomes unstable
(weak and loose). The knee
and ankle are common locations for sprains.
A strain is an injury to either a muscle or a tendon.
Depending on the severity of the injury, a strain may be a simple
overstretch (pulled muscle), or it can result in a partial or complete
tear. The quadriceps and
hamstring muscles of the upper leg are examples of commonly strained
muscles.
Causes of strains and sprains
A sprain can result from a fall, sudden twist, or a
blow to the body that forces a joint out of its normal position.
This results in an overstretch or tear of the ligament supporting
that joint. Most common
sites are ankle and knee sprains. The
usual signs and symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising and loss of
the ability to move and use the joint.
Sometimes athletes feel a pop or tear when the injury happens.
A strain is caused by twisting or pulling a muscle
or tendon. An acute strain
is caused by trauma or an injury such as a blow to the body.
Chronic strains are usually the result of overuse.
Common sites for strains are the back, hamstring, and quadriceps
muscles. Athletes with a
strain experience pain, muscle spasm and muscle weakness.
They can also have localized swelling, cramping, and loss of
muscle function.
Treatment
Treatment for sprains and strains is similar and
has two stages. The goal
during the first stage is to reduce pain and swelling.
(RICE) treatment which includes rest, ice compression, and
elevation for the first 24-48 hours.
Apply cold compresses at once for 20 minutes every 3-4 hours.
Elevate the affected body part to reduce swelling and bleeding.
Rest the pulled muscle for 24 hours.
If the muscle feels better after 24 hours, apply heat for next
3-4 days. A strained muscle
should not be used as long as it is painful.
When it is no longer painful, the athlete should return to full
activity gradually. Muscle
injuries can take up to 9 months to heal depending on the degree of
tear. For a moderate or
severe ligament sprain a hard cast may be applied, and severe sprains
may require surgery to repair torn ligaments.
Your doctor may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(Motrin, Advil) to help decrease pain and swelling.
When to see a doctor for a sprain
You have severe pain and cannot put any weight on
the injured joint. The area
over the injured joint is very tender when you touch it.
The injured area looks crooked or has lumps and bumps that
you do not see on the uninjured joint.
You cannot move the injured joint.
You cannot walk without significant pain.
Your limb buckles or gives way when you try to use the joint.
You have numbness in any part of the injured area.
You injure an area that has been injured several times before.
You have pain, swelling, or redness over a bony part of your
foot. You are in doubt about
the seriousness of the injury or how to care for it.
I hope this helps with your initial care for injuries suffered on
the football field.
If you have any questions or issues you
would like addressed in future articles you can email ghoffman@usapathway.com
.
For appointments, call Family Medicine Associates
at 817-447-1151.
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