A frequent question we get from patients and other doctors is “what injuries do you treat most commonly?” As you can expect, being a sports medicine clinic we see a lot of sports injuries in our office. Here are 7 of the most common injuries that we see and how they happen.
Ankle Sprains
Typically sprains and strains are the most common because they can occur in any sport, but more specifically lateral ankle sprains are very prevalent. A lateral ankle sprain is simply an injury of the ligament(s) that stabilize the ankle joint. Most commonly, the ankle rolls during an inversion-plantarflexion injury, or when you bend the foot downward and inward.
Knee Sprains
Knee sprains occur when the ligaments that stabilize the knee joint are stretched and injured. This type of injury can happen in contact sports when the knee is suddenly forced in one direction by a body part of an opponent. It can also happen without contact when the athlete is trying to change directions quickly and the knee is in an awkward or unstable position that cannot tolerate the applied forces.
Shoulder Dislocations
A shoulder can dislocate when the arm bone (humerus) exits the joint (glenoid). This most commonly happens when a person’s upper extremity is forced back behind and/or above their body (commonly abducted and externally rotated). This type of injury can cause significant damage to the shoulder joint and lead to further dislocations if not treated appropriately.
Lower Back Strain
Almost everyone has experienced lower back pain at some point or another, but when this pain lasts for more than two to three weeks then it should be evaluated. If one has numbness, tingling, or weakness associated with the pain or pain that travels to their legs then this warrants an evaluation. Some simple steps everyone can take to avoid a lower back injury is to strengthen your lower core muscles, bend at the knees when lifting objects and keep the object close to the body. You should also avoid twisting while holding an object.
Neck/Upper Back Strains
If you’ve ever “slept on your neck wrong” you might have noticed some pain when you woke up. If this pain doesn’t go away after about 10 days or if you have any pain, numbness, or tingling traveling into your arms you should be evaluated. The spine likes to be in an aligned or generally in a straight position. Try to avoid excessive ranges of motion, including extreme flexion and sidebending, and avoid sleeping on your stomach which places your head and neck into awkward positions. The best positions to sleep in are on your back or on your side, as they best keep your neck and spine aligned while you rest.
Foot Fractures
A 5th metatarsal fracture, or in non-doctors terms, a fracture of the foot, happens most commonly when the foot or ankle is rolled or rolls inward. This is a break in the bone on the side of the foot near the pinky toe and can be dangerous because it may not heal well if not treated appropriately.
Wrist Fractures
Another fracture we commonly treat are distal radius fractures, a type of wrist fracture. This is a break in the bone on the thumb side of the wrist in this important forearm bone. These fractures typically happen when a person falls on an outstretched hand (FOOSH). The person usually falls forward, but could also fall backwards and braces their fall with their hands. These fractures can be mild (a buckle fracture) or significant (a displaced fracture such as a Colles fracture).
Seek Treatment at Montgomery Sports Medicine Center
Not every patient we see is an athlete and these injuries can also frequently be experienced by those who just lead an active lifestyle or have ignored minor injuries in the past. If you’ve experienced any of these recently, be sure to properly care for your body. Give your body the necessary treatment, and time, it needs to recover so you can live a pain free lifestyle.