The warm, bright summer months will always motivate people to get out of their houses and engage in sports and other activities. The balmy weather turns many people from couch potatoes into physically active individuals – and this invites summertime injuries.
People who are out of shape from the winter doldrums are suddenly running, swimming, and playing contact sports in the yard and driveway. That is exactly why sports injury prevention is key in order to keep doing what you enjoy doing, and to safely participate in physical activities all summer long.
Common Summer Sports Injuries and Their Prevention
Here are a few of the most common sports injuries that happen every summer, and how to prevent them:
Knee Injuries
Probably the most common summer injury is a knee injury. You use your knees for almost all movements – walking, running, jogging, jumping, cycling, skating, and skiing. The sudden acceleration of physical activity, especially if done without a preliminary warm-up, can easily lead to a knee injury.
To avoid suffering knee injuries, always be sure to warm up and stretch before engaging in exercise and sports of any kind. If you’ve been inactive over the past several months, it is in your best interest to consult a sports medicine doctor for proper conditioning.
Shoulder Dislocations
Another common summer injury is a shoulder dislocation. This often happens while playing sports that require throwing and hitting motions, such as football, hockey, baseball, tennis, and volleyball. It can even happen if you overexert yourself while swimming, or if you swim – particularly the breaststroke – for too long without taking a break.
To avoid getting a dislocated shoulder, regularly perform strengthening and flexibility exercises and proper warm-ups. Make sure that you are conditioning the muscles that will be getting the biggest workout while you play.
Sprains and Strains
A sprain is an injury to a ligament, whether it is stretched or torn. Ligaments are the thick tissues that connect bones to other bones in a joint, such as in the ankle. Most of us have had a sprained ankle at some point in our lifetime.
A strain is an injury to a muscle or a tendon. Tendons connect a muscle to a bone in a joint. Just like a sprain, a strain can occur when the tissue is stretched, torn partially, or torn fully.
Sprain and strain injuries can be prevented by performing proper warm-ups and cool-downs before and after every session of play or exercise. The more warm and flexible your ligaments, tendons, and muscles are, the less likely they are to tear or to overstretch.
Orthopedic Treatment for Summer Sports Injuries in Cuyahoga County
The experienced medical team at Orthopaedic Associates offers diagnostic and rehabilitation services to patients who have sustained injuries from playing sports and other physical activities. Our sports medicine doctors can also provide recommendations for exercise and proper conditioning so you can reduce your risk of injury this summer and all year long.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled physicians, call Orthopaedic Associates today at (440) 892-1440 or toll-free at (866) 362-7624. You can also request an appointment via our online form. We look forward to serving you!
