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eNEWSLETTERS

Avoiding Fall Sports Injuries

According to Rod Brouhard, writer for about.com, fall sports have been classified as some of the most dangerous, mainly because the training for these sports start at the hottest times of the year, mid July into early August. According to meteorologist Ted Keller, summer 2010 has ranked as the sixth hottest summer to date for Springfield, Missouri. In fact, from early June until August 23, we have had 46 days reach 90 degrees or higher!

Many high school football and soccer teams have just finished their vigorous two-a-days and are now ready to start their fall seasons. While most parents enjoy the fact that their children want to participate in an extracurricular activity, the thought of serious injury or even death can leave parents having second thoughts.
Family Medical Walk-In Clinic has put together a few helpful tips on how to inform and prevent kids from serious sports injuries.

What Are Sports Injuries?
According to teenshealth.org, sports injuries usually occur while participating in organized sports, competitions, training sessions, or organized fitness activities. “These injuries may occur in teens for a variety of reasons, including improper training, lack of appropriate footwear or safety equipment, and rapid growth during puberty”.
Prevention is the first step when it comes to protecting yourself against sports injuries but sometimes no matter how many preventative steps you take, you still might get injured. That is ok though, if you do get injured the next best step is to know the proper treatment options.

Learn More About the Different Fall Sports Injuries;

Running cross country (this has been found to have the highest injury rate, Quinn, 2008)

Learn more about the different kinds of runner injuries.

Football

Learn more about the different kinds of football injuries.

Cheerleading

Yes, this is a sport! Learn more about the different kinds of cheerleading injuries.

Soccer

Learn more about the different kinds of soccer injuries.

Did you know?
There are actually two general types of sports injuries:

Acute traumatic injury - these injuries usually involve a blow from an application of force. These types of injuries usually include:

Fractures
Contusion (bruise)
Strain
Sprain
Abrasion
Laceration

Overuse or chronic injury - these injuries usually occur over a period of time. Most chronic injuries are due from repetitive training, such as, running, throwing a ball, punting, etc. These types of injuries usually include:

Stress fractures
Tendonitis
Epiphysitis or apophysitis

Note: To learn more about these two types of sports injuries, please visit: http://kidshealth.org/teen/safety/first_aid/sports_injuries.html

How to Manage Fall Sports Injuries
Keep an eye out for:

Swelling, numbness, tenderness, and/or intense pain
If you experience stiffness, or loss of flexibility, seek a doctor immediately
Be aware of the difference between soreness and chronic pain

Once you learn the condition and severity of your injury, what should be your next step in order to get healthy and back out on the field?
After seeing a doctor, he/she may recommend;

Not to play while you heal, get lots of rest, and use ice to decrease swelling
Play but use a protective device such as a knee brace, split, etc.
Undergo physical therapy.

We wish everyone a happy yet safe fall sports season. If you do need immediate, not emergent medical care Family Medical Walk-In Clinics are open late seven days a week at all four of our convenient locations. For more information, please visit: http://www.fmwic.com

Sources:
http://ceaselesswind.com/2010/08/24/hot-summer-2010/
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/runninginjuries/a/runninginjury.htm
http://firstaid.about.com/od/sportsinjuries/tp/07_fall_sport.htm
http://firstaid.about.com/od/sportsinjuries/qt/07_football.htm
http://firstaid.about.com/od/sportsinjuries/qt/07_cheer_injury.htm
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/soccerinjuries/a/soccerinjury.htm
http://kidshealth.org/teen/safety/first_aid/sports_injuries.html
http://kidshealth.org/teen/safety/first_aid/sports_injuries.html#a_Taking%20Care%20of%20Sports%20Injuries
http://firstaid.about.com/od/sportsinjuries/tp/07_fall_sport.htm

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