Sports Injuries

The most common sports injuries, the treatments and what to do to avoid them

Every athlete has had them, that nagging sports injury that keeps you from doing what you love most. Some injuries are minor, others can be major.

No matter what injury you suffer, you should always have a good sports doctor on speed dial. Dr. Keith Feder and his team at West Coast Center for Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine

(@ 866-591-4844) are experts in the sports injury field. And they are here to help.

My daughter – a swimmer – is a patient of Dr. Feder’s. And what surprised her and our family the most when she came in with her tear in her labrum was the fact that Dr. Feder didn’t jump the gun immediately and said she needed to be operated on.

As a matter of fact, that was what my kid was most afraid of.

Dr. Feder examined her, found out that a lot can be done by improving her muscle structure and her posture. It was amazing how quickly he saw that with a little PT work and follow up visits Bella could not only get back in the water but could compete again – without ever getting the surgery.

It’s just one example of how sports injuries can be dealt with at Dr. Feder’s office in Manhattan Beach @WestCoastCenter. Other injuries might require more intensive work, maybe even surgery. But what are the most common sports injuries? Here is a great overview of what Dr. Feder and his team deal with almost every day of the week:

THE 7 MOST COMMON SPORTS INJURIES

1. . Ankle sprain
2. . Groin pull
3. . Hamstring strain
4. . Shin splints
5. . Knee injury: ACL tear
6. . Knee injury: Patellofemoral syndrome — injury resulting from the repetitive movement of your kneecap against your thigh bone
7. . Tennis elbow (epicondylitis)

HOW TO TREAT THESE INJURIES

1. Ankle sprain

What it is: Most athletes have experienced a sprained ankle, which typically occurs when the foot turns inward. This turning stretches or tears the ligaments on the outside of the ankle, which are relatively weak.

sports injuries ankle

What you can do: With an ankle sprain, it’s important to exercise to prevent loss of flexibility and strength — and re-injury!

2.  Groin pull

What it is: Pushing off in a side-to-side motion causes strain of the inner thigh muscles, or groin. Hockey, soccer, football, and baseball are common sports with groin injuries.

What you can do: Compression, ice, and rest will heal most groin injuries. Returning to full activity too quickly can aggravate a groin pull or turn it into a long-term problem. If the groin pull has significant swelling, you should go and see Dr. Feder. Call (866) 591-4844 to schedule an appointment.

3. Hamstring strain

What it is: Three muscles in the back of the thigh form the hamstring. The hamstring can be over-stretched by movements such as hurdling — kicking the leg out sharply when running. Falling forward while waterskiing is another common cause of hamstring strains.

sports injuries hamstring

What you can do: Hamstring injuries are slow to heal because of the constant stress applied to the injured tissue from walking. Complete healing can take six to 12 months. Re-injuries are common because it’s hard for many people to stay inactive for that long.

4. Shin splints

What they are: Pains down the front of the lower legs are commonly called “shin splints.” They are most often brought on by running — especially when starting a more strenuous training program like long runs on paved roads.

What you can do: Rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medicine are the mainstays of treatment. Go and see a doctor if the pain continues even with rest.

5. Knee injury: ACL tear

What it is: The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) holds the leg bone to the knee. Sudden “cuts” or stops or getting hit from the side can strain or tear the ACL. A complete tear can make the dreaded “pop” sound. If you suspect an ACL injury, GO AND SEE A DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. ACL tears are potentially the most severe of the common sports injuries. “A completely torn ACL will usually require surgery in individuals who wish to remain physically active,” says Dr. Feder.

Want to be certain? – Schedule an appointment with Dr.Feder @ (866) 591-4844

sports injuries knee

QUICK FACT: WHERE IS THE ACL LOCATED?

The bone structure of the knee joint is formed by the femur, the tibia, and the patella. The ACL is one of the four main ligaments within the knee that connect the femur to the tibia.

The knee is essentially a hinged joint that is held together by the medial collateral (MCL), lateral collateral (LCL), anterior cruciate (ACL) and posterior cruciate (PCL) ligaments. The ACL runs diagonally in the middle of the knee, preventing the tibia from sliding out in front of the femur, as well as providing rotational stability to the knee.

The weight-bearing surface of the knee is covered by a layer of articular cartilage. On either side of the joint, between the cartilage surfaces of the femur and tibia, are the medial meniscus and lateral meniscus. The menisci act as shock absorbers and work with the cartilage to reduce the stresses between the tibia and the femur.

6: Knee injury: Patellofemoral syndrome

What it is: Patellofemoral syndrome can result from the repetitive movement of your kneecap (patella) against your thigh bone (femur), which can damage the tissue under the kneecap. Running, volleyball, and basketball commonly set it off. One knee or both can be affected.

What you can do: Patience is key. Patellofemoral pain can take up to six weeks to clear up. It’s important to continue low-impact exercise during this time. Working out the quadriceps can also relieve pain. Questions: Call Dr. Feder at #phone8665914844

7. Tennis elbow (epicondylitis)

What it is: Repetitive use of the elbow — for example, during golf or tennis swings — can irritate or make tiny tears in the elbow’s tendons. Epicondylitis is most common in 30- to 60-year-olds and usually involves the outside of the elbow.

sports injuries elbow

What you can do: Epicondylitis can usually be cleared up by staying off the tennis court or golf course until the pain improves. If it doesn’t, go see Dr. Feder. Schedule an appointment at #phone8665914844.