Common Summer Orthopaedic Injuries!

Common Summer Orthopaedic Injuries-

Tennis_elbow (tendinitis of the elbow)-
You don’t have to play tennis to suffer this injury, inflamed and painful tendons located on the outer side of the elbow. It’s a repetitive use condition, so it makes sense that cases flare up when warm weather encourages more outdoor athletic activity.

Pitcher’s elbow-
Pitcher’s elbow involves the UCL or ulnar collateral ligament, which usually keeps our elbow stable as we perform overhead throwing movements. The term pitcher’s elbow is aptly named, as baseball players who pitch suffer from pitcher’s elbow in greater numbers than other people.

ACL tear or injury-
Landing the wrong way after a jump, or fast turns can lead to an ACL injury.
To help prevent an ACL injury, warm up before you start any type of vigorous physical activity. Working with a sports trainer can help you improve your technique and strengthen the muscles that stabilize your knee area. 

Ankle sprains & strains-
Summertime activities can increase their frequency, just like other injuries. Walking on uneven surfaces, especially with unsupportive or flimsy footwear increases your risk. Add in risk factors such as outdoor, evening activities, low light conditions, and perhaps some holiday libation in your system, and ankle sprains happen more often than you would think.

Ankle sprains can be minor, or severe, and they all involve damage to the ligaments that support and stabilize your ankle. It’s important to treat any kind of ankle sprain and not just “walk through the pain,” because damage can get worse and make repeat injury more likely in the future.

Plantar fasciitis-
Flip-flops and other types of “nearly bare” footwear can increase your risk of plantar fasciitis, which causes sore, stiff heels and feet. Plantar fasciitis occurs when inflammation targets the ligaments that support the arch of the foot. Wearing supportive shoes is an easy way to reduce the likelihood that you will get plantar fasciitis this summer.

Staying active and avoiding injury-

R.I.C.E for inflamed tendons and ligaments-

R-I-C-E (short for rest, ice, compression, and elevation) is the basic treatment for most types of sports injuries caused by irritated or damaged tendons and ligaments. This is a good first step to minimize pain and prevent further damage. Of course, follow up with your orthopedist or primary care doctor for a consult about rehabilitation and further treatment for serious injuries.

Remember that everything should be done in moderation, don’t overdo it or underdo it when it comes to being active. With that said, take your time to warm up, cool down, and wear the proper attire to avoid injury. If you become injured, there are a bevy of treatments available depending on the severity. From physical therapy and personal training to regenerative medicine treatments and even surgery, you can get fixed up and back on the field of play.

Shortening the Time to Return to Play (TTRTP) is a high priority for professional athletes but also for ordinary folks. Summer only lasts a few months! If you are experiencing pain or other symptoms caused by an orthopedic problem, or to find out if you may be a candidate for stem cell or PRP therapy.