Reduce Your Chances for Injury While on the Football Field

Week four of the Seattle Seahawks football season has taken a few hits. Eight players are on this week’s injury list. It’s a reminder to both professional and non-professional athletes that playing smart is the best way to reduce your chances of injury in this contact sport.

The 8 Most Common Football Injuries:Football Helmets

Not including head injuries, the most common musculoskeletal injuries include:

1) ACL injuries – The anterior cruciate ligament in the knee can become damaged or torn when a player is impacted from the front or rear.
2) MCL injuries – Injury to the medial collateral ligament in the knee is also very common because it occurs when the knee is impacted from the side.
3) Torn meniscus – When a player rotates their body while a foot stays planted, the knee can twist, causing the meniscus to tear.
4) Ankle sprains and strains – Perhaps the most common injury in all sports, ankles are susceptible to soft tissue damage when pivoting, changing direction, or putting too much pressure on the joint.
5) Muscle contusions – A strong impact to a large muscle, usually in the thigh, can cause a contusion. This is basically a large, deep bruise that can impair muscle function.
6) Torn hamstrings – Bursts of speed can cause the hamstrings to tear if the player is not conditioned or properly warmed up.
7) Shoulder tendinitis – Frequent throwing can cause overuse injuries like shoulder tendinitis from repetitive motions.
8) Shoulder separation or dislocation – A direct blow below the shoulder can cause a separation of the acromioclavicular joint, while a dislocation occurs when the head of the humerus detaches from the scapula.

The treatment protocol for these football injuries varies and can range from basic RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) to surgery, with several options in between. For all of these injuries, RICE can be improved with active cold and compression therapies to help speed up the healing process for injuries. Cold compression therapy can also be used after surgery to help speed up the recovery process.

According to Dr. Peterson, “While injuries are an unavoidable consequence of contact sports, indeed any sport, the risk of injury can be dramatically lowered by proper background training and techniques. Additionally, proper conditioning can speed recovery times after injury reduce the chance of recurrent injury.”

Here are some helpful tips on how you can reduce your chances of a football injury:

-Have a pre-season health and wellness evaluation
-Perform proper warm-up and cool-down routines
-Consistently incorporate strength training and stretching
-Hydrate adequately to maintain health and minimize cramps
-Stay active during summer break to prepare for return to sports in the fall
-Wear properly fitted protective equipment, such as a helmet, pads, and mouthguard
-Tackle with the head up and do not lead with the helmet
-Speak to a sports medicine professional at OSS if you have any concerns about football injuries or football injury prevention strategies

If you believe you are suffering from a sports-related injury and need specialized orthopedic care, the orthopedic surgeons at OSS provide excellent treatment options for your injury. Please feel free to contact OSS at (206) 633-8100 to schedule an appointment.

Common Swimming Injury – Swimmer’s Shoulder

Swimmers shoulderSwimming is a sport in which there is a great diversity among participants. There are both recreational and competitive swimmers, ranging in age from preschool through college.

Although the lack of impact in swimming makes it a perfect choice for avoiding lower-body injuries, the intense involvement of upper-body muscles makes overuse injuries a real possibility.

The most common swimming-related injury is swimmer’s shoulder, shoulder pain usually caused by rotator cuff tendonitis. Many cases of swimmer’s shoulder can be successfully treated through physical therapy.

For competitive athletes, rotator cuff surgery may be recommended if shoulder pain continues after 6 months of guided rest and rehabilitation.

Signs and Symptoms of Swimmer’s Shoulder

  • Shoulder pain while swimming freestyle
  • A forward shoulder slouch while seated
  • Underdeveloped posterior shoulder musculature
  • A mild winging on the affected side’s left scapula
  • Tenderness in the acromioclavicular joint and coracoid process in the impingement area
  • Tenderness in the affected side’s bicep tendon and supraspinatus tendon
  • A full range of motion in all planes
  • Strength is slightly decreased in the supraspinatus and infraspinatus
  • Full strength in the internal rotators, arm extensors, and flexors
  • Moderate posterior and anterior laxity in both shoulders
  • A bilateral sulcus sign
  • Impingement and adduction-compression tests on the affected side were positive
  • An apprehension test on the affected side was negative

Swimming Safety and Injury Prevention

According to Dr. Franklin, “Proper warm up, stretching, technique and conditioning are crucial in preventing tendonitis and overuse injuries in swimmers.”

  • Learning proper technique goes a long way toward preventing injuries; if you’re just starting out, schedule some sessions with a swimming coach.
  • Remember to warm up and stretch before every swim, giving particular attention to your shoulders.
  • A strength-training program can help build up the muscles around the shoulder and upper back; ask a physical therapist or personal trainer if you need help creating a routine.

If you believe you are suffering from swimmer’s shoulder or swimming-related injury and need specialized orthopedic care, the orthopedic surgeons at OSS provide excellent treatment options for your injury. Please feel free to contact OSS at (206) 633-8100 to schedule an appointment.