ACL Sprain
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a ligament involved in knee stabilization. An ACL rupture can occur when the foot is planted and the knee twists to change direction.
- Symptoms: An ACL rupture is commonly characterized by a “pop” in the knee with immediate swelling, loss of range of motion and knee instability.
- Treatment: Initially, immobilize the knee and follow the RICE treatment (rest, ice, compression, elevation). Treatment from a physician will be required. If pain persists, call MedStar Union Memorial's Sports Injury Line at 1-888-44-SPORT for advice or a physician referral.
- Prevention: Due to the nature of this injury, prevention techniques are limited to strengthening of the thigh muscles (hamstrings and quadriceps) along with proper technique and training in running and jumping. Bracing can be used to reduce re-injury of the ACL.
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Ankle Sprain
The ligaments in your ankle that hold the bones together have been over-stretched.
- Symptoms: Swelling, tenderness, and throbbing pain in your ankle while walking.
- Treatment: Don't try to walk it off. Rest the ankle and apply ice for 20 minutes 4x per day for 3-4 days following injury. Wrap your ankle (not too tightly) with an ace bandage, beginning at your toes. Elevate your ankle. Anti-inflammatory medications may also be helpful. If pain persists, call MedStar Union Memorial's Sports Injury Line at 1-888-44-SPORT for advice or a physician referral.
- Prevention: Wear supportive shoes and strengthen your ankles. Improve your balance by standing on one leg for 30 seconds with eyes closed, gradually building up to one minute, 6-8x, 3-4x per week.
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Concussion
A concussion is a brain injury that may result in a bad headache, altered levels of alertness, or unconsciousness.
A concussion can happen when the head hits an object or a moving object strikes the head and maybe caused by falls, sports activities, and car accidents. Significant movement of the brain (jarring) in any direction can cause unconsciousness. How long a person remains unconscious may indicate how bad the concussion is.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe. They can include:
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Headache
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Patients that are drowsy, hard to arouse, or similar changes
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Loss of consciousness
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Memory loss (amnesia) of events surrounding the injury
Emergency signs:
Head injuries that result in concussion often are associated with injury to the neck and spine. Take particular care when moving patients who have had a head injury.
To confirm a concussion, your doctor will order a CT scan or MRI scan of the brain, head and neck.
Treatment:
Your doctor will perform a neurological exam to test your reflexes after a concussion. He or she may also ask questions that you should know, like you name, date or the President of the United States. If a blow to the head during athletics leads to a bad headache, a feeling of being confused (dazed), or unconsciousness, a trained person must determine when the person can return to playing sports.
At MedStar Union Memorial, our sports medicine specialists are trained to identify the signs and symptoms of a concussion and decide on the right treatment. As the cause and severity of concussions are different for each patient, so is treatment. It is really important to be evaluated by a sports medicine specialist who can take into account all the details of the concussion, so he or she can make the right determination on how quickly to become active in the sport again.
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Groin Pull
A groin pull is a strain or rupture of the inner thigh muscle (the muscle which runs from the pelvis to the knee and allows you to swing your leg inward).
- Symptoms: Pain with motion or stretching at the hip joint, swelling in the groin area, loss of strength, or a crackling feeling and sound when the injured area is pressed with fingers.
- Treatment: Rest and apply ice for 20 minutes 4x per
day for 3-4 days following injury. Anti-inflammatory medications may also be helpful. Avoid stairs and hills during your recovery. If pain persists, call MedStar Union Memorial's Sports Injury Line at 1-888-44-SPORT for advice or a physician referral.
- Prevention: Warm up before you work out and stretch thoroughly. Work on exercises to strengthen inner thigh muscles. When returning to your sport after a groin injury, you may try wrapping the entire thigh area with an ace bandage or wearing a Neoprene sleeve or sports girdle/pants for support.
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Hamstring Strain
Several fibers in your hamstring muscles, which are located at the back of your thigh, have been torn.
- Symptoms: Sharp pain or ache in the back of your thigh when you run or walk.
- Treatment: Rest and apply ice for 20 minutes 4x per day for 3-4 days following injury. Wrapping your leg with an ace bandage or Neoprene sleeve can minimize swelling. Anti-inflammatory medications may also be helpful. If pain persists, call MedStar Union Memorial's Sports Injury Line at 1-888-44-SPORT for advice or a physician referral.
- Prevention: Warm up beforehand and regularly stretch your hamstrings with exercises such toe touches with your knees straight (remember not to bounce). Wearing a sports girdle/pants is also recommended.
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Heat Illness
Heat illness is caused by dehydration and electrolyte imbalances due to prolonged exposure to extreme heat and humidity. Heat illness is graded by severity – heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
- Symptoms: Heat cramps are painful muscle spasms commonly found in the abdomen or calves. Signs of heat exhaustion are profuse sweating, dizziness, headache, mental dullness, cool, clammy skin, excessive thirst, dry mouth, fatigue and weakness. Signs of heat stroke are dry, hot skin, decreased sweating, increased pulse rate, vomiting, headache, circulatory collapse and possible death.
- Treatment: Stop playing immediately, remove equipment or clothing, and cool down with ice packs or ice towels in a shaded or air conditioned area. Drink plenty of water or sports drinks. Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition; emergency medical systems should be summoned.
- Prevention: Drink plenty of water and sports drinks before, during and after activity. Gradually adjust to the heat and monitor temperature/humidity. Wear light, breathable clothing. Keep pre- and post-training weight records. Notify a medical professional if using dietary supplements.
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Knee Pain
The most common knee pain, known as patellar-femoral syndrome, is an inflammation on the underside of the kneecap (patella). Your kneecap is moving outside its natural groove rubbing against your upper leg bone (femur) at the knee joint.
- Symptoms: Symptoms such as soreness under or around the kneecap appear gradually. The pain worsens when you squat or go up and down stairs.
- Treatment: Rest your knee and apply ice for 20 minutes 4x per day for 3-4 days following injury. Anti-inflammatory medications may also be helpful. Until your symptoms subside, avoid activities that require jumping or squatting as well as stair climbing. If pain persists, call MedStar Union Memorial's Sports Injury Line at 1-888-44-SPORT for advice or a physician referral.
- Prevention: Strengthen and stretch your hip and thigh muscles. Wear supportive shoes with cushioned soles. To prevent a re-injury, during sports wear a Neoprene knee brace that has a hole cut in it for your kneecap.
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Separated Shoulder
Ligaments near the end of the collarbone are stretched or torn. The injury is usually caused by a direct blow to the tip of the shoulder or a fall on an outstretched hand.
- Symptoms: Tenderness over the joint, swelling and painful shoulder movement. A moderate to severe injury will have a obvious deformity or “step-off”.
- Treatment: A moderate or severe injury will require treatment by a physician. Protect and rest the area by wearing a sling. Apply ice 3-5 times a day for 15-20 minutes. Anti-inflammatory medication may also be helpful.
- Prevention: Strengthen the shoulder area and wear properly fitted equipment.
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Shin Splints
The tissue that attaches the muscles of your lower leg to the shin bone may be pulling away from the bone, or it may be inflamed from overuse.
- Symptoms: Pain down the front (inside or outside) of your shin when you run, walk, or point your toes.
- Treatment: Rest and apply ice for 20 minutes 4x per day for 3-4 days following injury. Anti-inflammatory medications may also be helpful. If pain persists, call MedStar Union Memorial's Sports Injury Line at 1-888-44-SPORT for advice or a physician referral.
- Prevention: Ease into your running regimen. Stretch properly before and after exercise. Stick to grass or dirt or try cross-training by mixing bicycling, swimming, or other non-impact sports. Add exercises to strengthen your ankles and legs to take the pressure off your shins. Wear running shoes with good shock absorption. Orthotics should be considered to lift your arch and mechanically balance your feet.
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Tennis/Golfer's Elbow – Tendinitis
Tendons in the elbow have been stretched beyond their capacity and have become inflamed. Usually caused by repetitive activity. Not limited to tennis and golf players.
- Symptoms: Tenderness in the elbow especially when gripping or turning items. Pain may run downward from your elbow to the thumb side of your forearm (tennis elbow) or to the pinkie side (golfer's elbow).
- Treatment: Rest the elbow and apply ice for 20 minutes 4x per day for 3-4 days following injury. Use a wrist extension splint or an elbow brace for comfort. Anti-inflammatory medications may also be helpful. If pain persists, call MedStar Union Memorial's Sports Injury Line at 1-888-44-SPORT for advice or a physician referral.
- Prevention: Strengthen your elbow and wrist through exercise. Warm up and cool down prior to playing. Get your tennis racket or golf club grip assessed by a pro.
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Wrist Sprain
A sprain is an injury to the ligaments of the joint and the most common wrist sprain occurs on the outer (thumb or pinky) side of the hand. It can result from one incident, such as falling on a bent wrist, or multiple occurrences, such as several checks.
- Symptoms: Pain alongside the wrist especially where the wrist bends or rotates. Sometimes there is pain or tingling with thumb movement.
- Treatment: Apply ice 3-5 times a day for 15 - 20 minutes. Wear an ace bandage or brace in the day when not playing and tape the wrist for activity.
- Prevention: Strengthening the muscles around the wrist and forearm can help prevent injury. Also, proper gloves are recommended.
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Call 1-877-34-ORTHO (1-877-346-7846) for a referral to one of our doctors, or request an appointment.
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