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Help Your Family Dodge Sports Injuries
 Participation in all kinds of
sports helps you reap the
positive, lifelong benefits of
exercise. But with the healthy
fun of sports comes the risk
of injuries. Before your family
heads for the courts, ball
fields or bike trails, prepare
for safe sporting.
Play It Smart
Ease into sports by warming up and cooling
down, and always wear the proper equipment
and protective gear for the sports you play. Safety
gear may include helmets, supportive shoes, eye
protection, athletic supporters, shin or wrist guards
– and don't forget sunscreen when outdoors.
"Another key factor to safe sporting is staying
hydrated," says Kaare Kolstad, MD, Methodist Center
for Orthopaedic Surgery. Whether you're at the gym
or playing outdoors, make sure water is available and
take breaks to cool off. Heat exhaustion and heat
stroke are dangerous, even fatal, when untreated.
"Heat can really affect an athlete's performance.
This is why it is important to always stay hydrated
and take frequent breaks when you are taking part
in outdoor activities," says Dr. Kolstad. Watch for
symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, weakness and
confusion. Stop playing, cool off with ice or cold
liquids and seek emergency medical attention if
someone shows signs of heat-related illness.
"It's also important to get your body used to warmer
temperatures. If you are going to play soccer, baseball
or football, make sure you work out in the heat for
a few weeks before jumping into the sport. This will
make it easier for you to perform at a higher level
when the temperature rises," notes Dr. Kolstad.
Dr. Kaare Kolstad,
Methodist Center for
Orthopaedic Surgery |
Common Injuries and Treatments
When injuries occur, it is important to determine the severity of the injury and seek medical
treatment
if necessary.
A sprain is a stretch or tear of a ligament, usually to
the ankle, knee or wrist. About 1 million ankle injuries
occur each year, and 85% of these are sprains.*
Some knee injuries are repetitive in nature,
like runner’s knee (pain or tenderness close
to or under the kneecap) or tendonitis.
Other injuries are acute. These include:
ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tears and
meniscal tears (cartilage tear of the knee).
A fracture is a break in the bone that can occur
from a quick, one-time injury (acute fracture) or
from repeated stress over time (stress fracture).
A dislocation is a joint (usually shoulder or
finger) that is out of place. This is usually caused by
contact sports and high-impact sports.
Many sports injuries are treated with rest, ice,
compression and elevation (RICE):
 est or stop using the injured area for 48 hours.
 ce the injured area for 20 minutes at a time.
After this application, it is important not to ice for
40 minutes. Do this four to eight times a day with a
cold pack or ice bag wrapped in a towel.
 ompress the injured area with bandages, an
elastic wrap or air cast to reduce swelling. Ask a
health care professional which is best for you.
 levate the injured area above the level of the
heart to reduce swelling
and pressure.
Get Expert Care
Some sports injuries can be treated with RICE,
but others require urgent medical care. If you
experience a sports injury, seeking treatment is the
best action you can take to help you get back on
your feet and back in the game.
| There are a variety of sport activities that commonly lead to injuries, many of which can be prevented with careful conditioning, proper use of safety equipment, warm-up exercises and good hydration. Visit www.methodistortho.com to learn more about sports safety. |
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