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 Playing sports usually is beneficial to your health, however it is possible
to injure yourself while pursuing your favorite sport.
In fact, most common injuries are the result of overuse, or if a person is
out of shape for the activity that he or she is trying to do. If you experience severe pain related to your sports activities, or if you have symptoms that are persistent and consistent, we recommend that you see your doctor.
Stress Fractures
A frequently seen sports injury is a stress fracture, which can be so small
that it may only be detected through a bone scan or MRI. Pain usually develops
with activity and lessens with rest. While stress fractures can occur in
just about any bone in the body, they are most frequently seen in the legs.
Runners are especially vulnerable.
 Treatment usually is conservative, with runners discontinuing their normal
activities for six to twelve weeks while crosstraining in another sport, such
as swimming, to maintain cardiovascular health.
Given a chance, stress fractures usually heal themselves. However, failure
to treat a stress fracture appropriately could result in the bone fracturing
completely, requiring casting or even surgery.
Knee Injuries
As every athlete knows, a strong, healthy knee is crucial to optimum performance. The knee is composed of several ligaments, including the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the meniscal ligaments. Damage to these ligaments are among the most common sports-related injuries that orthopedic surgeons treat.
Treatment for ACL and severe meniscal tears usually require surgery, and at Saint Francis, our orthopedic surgeons are trained in state-of-the-art procedures, such as arthroscopy and ligament transplantation. These treatments often mean smaller scars, less pain and a shorter recovery time. Treatment for less severe mensical injuries may be ice or anti-inflammatory medications. However, for people who participate in sports-related activities, doctors may recommend surgery for all meniscal tears.
Elbow Injuries
Another commonly seen injury is tennis elbow,� an irritation of
a tendon on the outside of the elbow that moves the wrist up and down. Tennis
elbow may be caused by improper equipment, among other reasons. It can result
from using a racquet with a head size that is too small and too small a �sweet
spot; which can contribute to an improperly executed backhand, leading to
a torn tendon.
Treatment for tennis elbow is usually conservative: ice and anti-inflammatory
medications. Sometimes an arm brace and cortisone injections are required.
Golfers can develop their own form of tennis elbow in which the side of the
elbow closest to the chest is affected.
Baseball players also place tremendous stress on their elbow while throwing
the ball. This stress sometimes leads to injury. In the past, these were often
considered to be career-ending injuries.
The Tommy John� surgery, named for the first professional baseball
player to have the surgery performed, involves transferring a tendon from
another part of the body, usually near the wrist, to replace the torn ligament
in the elbow. Following surgery, the elbow can, once again, resist the tremendous
stresses that it encounters during the throwing motion. This operation enabled
Tommy John to resume his career.
Major League players arent the only ones to face elbow injuries. For
example, a condition called Little Leaguers elbow� involves
repetitive trauma to the growth plates that can cause pain and limit their
ability to function in their sport.
Treatment for this condition generally is rest until the pain subsides. It
is important that young players learn the proper mechanics of the throwing
motion, so that when they return to their sport they dont re-injure
their developing shoulders and elbows.
Rotator Cuff Tears
Golfers have another injury in common with other athletes: rotator cuff tears.
Rotator cuff injuries are often the result of playing sports that require repetitive
use of the shoulder, such as tennis, golf, baseball or lifting weights. Physicians
at Saint Francis perform arthroscopic repair, which results in less pain and
stiffness, less scarring and fewer complications.
For more information about rotator cuff repair, click here
 Saint Francis Sports Care
Leading-edge care for athletes of all ages and abilities
Offering comprehensive services ranging from expert diagnosis and treatment
of sports and activity-related injuries, to injury prevention, and sports-health
education, Sports Care services are provided by specialized physicians and
surgeons who understand the needs of athletes and active patients. Physicians
are board certified and fellowship trained sports medicine specialists with
experience caring for amateur, college and professional athletes.
The Sports Care program features:
- Sports injury rehabilitation, physical therapy and sports conditioning
provided by certified, experienced physical therapists and athletic trainers
- Care for sports-related medical conditions and sports nutrition
- State-of-the-art diagnostics including filmless, digital x-ray and
MRI
To learn more about Sports Care or for information on making a Sports
Care appointment, call Saint Francis HealthConnect toll free at 1-877
ST FRANCIS (1-877-783-7262).
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