Do you play hard? These injuries are the most common injuries in basketball.
- Finger Jams – Finger joint pain and swelling from an impact injury which can lead to dislocation, fractures and ligament tears.
- Hamstring Strains - Excessive stretch or tear of muscle fibers and other related tissues. Pain can be moderate to extremely heavy in the back of the leg just over the knee.
- Patella Tendonitis – Also known as jumper’s knee. This injury is caused from overuse from repetitive overloading of the extensor mechanism of the knee. Most commonly, pain is felt with an aching feeling in the anterior knee. May lead to complete tendon tear which requires surgery.
- Achilles Tendonitis – Inflammation and pain of the large tendon in the back of the ankle caused by overuse.
- Shin Splints – Commonly found in athletes that run often. This condition is characterized by pain in the lower part of the leg between the knee and the ankle.
- Ankle Sprain – A partial or complete tearing of the ligaments in the ankle.
Here are a few tips from orthoinfo.aaos.org to help keep you safe!
- Maintain you’re fitness. Be sure you are in good physical condition at the start of basketball season.
- Make it a part of your routine to warm up and stretch. Research studies have shown that cold muscles are more prone to injury.
- Hydrate. Even small levels of dehydration can hurt you’re athletic performance. Drink 24 ounces of non-caffeinated fluid 2 hours before exercise.
- Use of proper equipment. Shoes, ankle supports, knee and elbow pads, mouth guards, and safety glasses are all critical equipment tools to arm yourself with.
- Ensure a safe environment. Make sure courts are free of debris that can be hazardous when playing.
- If you are injured make sure all signs of injury are gone before returning to play.
- Prevent overuse injuries. Limit the number of teams you play on in a season. When playing on more than one team you are at risk for overuse injuries.
Blue Ridge Orthopaedic and Spine Center offers the most comprehensive care under one roof. Whether you need to be seen for sprains, strains, or other serious sports injuries our team of specialists can help.
We will help you achieve your goals of getting back in the game!
Call us today at (540) 347-9220 to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.
A rotator cuff tear is a tear in one or more of the tendons in our rotator cuff muscles. Rotator cuff tears are the most common conditions that affect the shoulder. Rotator cuff tears almost always occur in the shoulder that we most often use.
The rotator cuff is a team of muscles and connecting tendons in the shoulder. It attaches your upper arm to your shoulder blade. Your rotator cuff helps you reach, throw, push, pull, and lift.
Without it, your shoulder cannot do its job!
If you are experiencing shoulder pain and weakness, Blue Ridge Orthopaedic and Spine Center can make your shoulder healthy again. You may only need to start with rest. If needed, you can have pain-soothing injections. Your doctor will tell you how often you may need these treatments. If pain is persistent and still remains after treatment, surgery might be your best option.
Call our shoulder specialists today @ (540) 347-9220. We can help you get back to healthy living!
Anyone who maintains an active lifestyle, from student athletes to weekend warriors, can benefit from advances in the diagnosis and treatment of sports injuries.
Tendonitis is a common ailment relating to sports injuries. Tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendon. Tendonitis occurs from irritation and constant friction between your tendon and other tissues such as the bone which may cause minor or major tears. Tendonitis also occurs as a result of overuse of the muscles. Tendonitis can affect the elbow, shoulder, hip, knee, thumb , wrist, hamstring, or Achilles tendon.
Symptoms Include:
- Tenderness
- Affected area is warm to the touch
- Pain or swelling
- Bruising
- Difficulty moving affected area
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms first stop all activities to protect yourself from further injury and seek medical help. The Sports Medicine Specialists at Blue Ridge Orthopaedic and Spine Center are experts in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of common injuries that occur during sports or exercise.
Call our sports medicine specialists today @ (540) 347-9220 to schedule an appointment or for simply more information.
Our goal: Get you back to good health!
- Ankle or Foot Trauma
- Tendonitis
- Ligament Sprains and Tears
- Achilles Tendon
- Heel Pain
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Bunions, Hammer Toes, Claw Toes
- Ankle and Foot Arthritis
- Flat Feet Deformities
Foot and ankle pain can have a debilitating effect on your everyday life. We offer surgical and non-surgical options to get you back on track. The Foot and Ankle Center at Blue Ridge Orthopaedic & Spine Center brings together a team of board certified specialists to treat foot and ankle conditions caused from work and sports related injuries, fractures, deformities, congenital defects and disease processes.
Call our team of foot and ankle specialists today @ (540) 347-9220 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
Almost two dozen local runners interacted with Jennifer Wilkins, PT, from Blue Ridge Orthopaedic and Spine Center at a recent seminar on how to recognize and treat running injuries. Hosted by Old Town Athletic Club, the event spotlighted common runner injuries, proper stretching techniques, and how to select the proper footwear
The four most common running injuries, according to Wilkins: Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, lliotibial band syndrome, and patellofemoral pain. Focusing on the hip, knee and foot areas by strengthening surrounding muscles, stretching appropriately, and getting proper rest can help prevent all of these common injuries.
Once an injury has occurred, many runners overcompensate, which can end up worsening the initial problem. “Stay balanced and work both sides of the body in case of an injury,” Wilkins recommended. “Also, do not over-train yourself. Listen to your body and take a break to allow proper healing”.
Stretching: before and after
Stretching should occur both before and after workouts. Ideally a runner should warm up with a brief, slow run, and then stretch before beginning the workout. Once the workout is finished, a short cool-down run should be completed, following by stretching. Without stretching, muscles will tighten over time and injuries can occur. Alignment is key to proper stretching.
Proper footwear is very important—and that starts with picking the right shoe. Runners with high arches do not have good, natural shock absorbers, and 90% would benefit with a shoe insert, Wilkins said. Low-arched individuals may need comfort in the toe area if they are toe to heel runners.
Rotating shoes often also is key, Wilkins said. “Shoes should be replaced throughout the year. My strategy is to divide body weight from 75,000 and that will equal how many miles a pair of shoes should ideally be used for,” said Wilkins. She also recommended purchasing two pairs of shoes to alternate between runs to allow decompression and time for the shoes to dry out completely.
Running barefoot?
What about running barefoot or lightweight shoes? It takes a long training program for one to run barefoot or use the lightweight footwear comfortably and safely, Wilkins cautioned. They do not have the normal support of regular running shoes, but a runner can always train appropriate and strengthen the surrounding muscles in the foot, knee, and hip to adjust to the barefoot lifestyle.
Both Blue Ridge Orthopaedic & Spine Center (BROAVA) and Old Town Athletic Club offer wonderful resources for runners. BROAVA provides customized physical therapy programs for athletes and weekend warriors alike, and the Old Town personal training team can craft the perfect workout program for you.
Ready for a good run? Come join us at the inaugural Bodies In Motion 5K on Saturday, May 20, 2012. The run is a fundraising event for Fauquier’s high schools and several local nonprofits, including The Fauquier Food Bank, Boys & Girls Club, and the Fauquier Clinic.
