Athletic injuries 7th Grade Health

Athletic Injury Most common Prevention Treatment

Most common injuries Ankle sprain. Groin pull. Hamstring strain. Shin splints. Knee injury: ACL tear. Knee injury: Patellofemoral syndrome. Tennis elbow (epicondylitis) Why are these so common???

Ankle Sprain Definition: Damage to one of the ligaments in the ankle, usually from an accidental twist or turn of the foot. Ligaments (bone) vs Tendon (muscle) Treatment: RICE, non weight baring, surgery Prevention: surface area, shoes, balance and stretch.

Groin Pull Definition: A groin strain or a groin pull is a tear or rupture to any one of the adductor muscles resulting in inner thigh pain. Adductor muscles- the muscles used to bring your legs in toward the middle of the body. Treatment: rest and time, ice, compression, pain killers, and surgery. Prevention: combination of adduction strength and flexibility.

Hamstring Strain Definition: During a hamstring strain, one or more of your three muscles gets stretched too far. The muscles might even start to tear. Treatment: RICE, anti inflammatory painkillers, stretch and strengthen. Prevention: strengthen your hamstrings.

Shin splints Definition: pain caused by repetitive stress on the shinbone and the connective tissues that attach your muscles to the bone. Treatment: Rest your body, ice your shins, orthotics, neoprene sleeve, and physical therapy. Prevention: Choose the right shoes, cross train, strength training.

ACL tear (knee) Definition: An ACL injury is the tearing of the anterior cruciate (KROO- she-ate) ligament, or ACL, inside your knee joint. Occurs in a lot of sports that have to do with sudden stopping and changes in direction. Sport? Body position? Treatment: physical therapy, surgery Prevention: balance, plyometrics, strength/stability

Torn ACL

Patellofemoral Syndrome (Runners knee) Definition: Patellofemoral pain syndrome is pain in the front of the knee. It frequently occurs in teenagers, manual laborers, and athletes. It sometimes is caused by wearing down, roughening, or softening of the cartilage under the kneecap. Treatment: balance, improving range of motion, and strengthening of quadriceps. Prevention: RICE, activity changes, doctor visit if necessary.

Tennis Elbow Definition: Swelling of the tendons -- that causes pain in the elbow and arm. Tennis elbow is caused by either abrupt or subtle injury of the muscle and tendon area around the outside of the elbow. Treatment: time/rest, icing, injections Prevention: avoid overuse