FOUR COMMON SPORTS INJURIES
LATERAL EPICONDYLITIS: (Tennis elbow is also referred to as lateral epicondylitis). This is a common cause of elbow pain in athletes. Tennis elbow is considered to be a cumulative trauma injury that occurs overtime from repeated use of the muscles of the arm and forearm.
Tennis Elbow Causes: In racket sports, overuse of the forearm exten- sive muscles, particularly the extensive carpi radialis brevis, along with repeated impact can cause tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis. Other causes can be any repetitive use of the elbow and wrist.
Tennis Elbow Symptoms: Pain on the outside of the elbow, usually during or after intense use is the first sign of tennis elbow. In some cases, lifting or grasping objects may be difficult. The pain from tennis elbow would radiate down the arm.
Tennis Elbow Treatment: Rest is the first treatment for tennis elbow. Stop all activities that cause pain and use the RICE treatment ( Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation). Use the RICE treatment method to reduce pain and swelling. Conservative treatments are often all that is needed to recover from tennis elbow.
If tennis elbow pain is due to deterioration of the tendon (tendinopathy), it can take from two to six months to fully recover.
A physical therapist may use ultrasound or other modalities to help heal tendinopathy. Thus, specific rehab for lateral epicondylitis depends upon the exact cause of the injury and the diagnosis; however the most common rehab
methods include ultrasound, anti-inflammatories, massage, braces, or splints.
HAMSTRING INJURIES (Pulled hamstring muscle): Hamstring injuries are common among athletes who play sports that require powerful accel- eration, deceleration with lots of running. The hamstrings run down the back of the leg from the pelvis to the bone to the lower leg. There are three specific muscles that make up the hamstrings. There are the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and the semimembranosus.
Hamstring Injury Symptoms: A hamstring injury typically causes a sudden, sharp pain to the back of the thigh that may stop you in the midstride. After such an injury, the knee may not extend more than 30 to 40 degrees short of straight without intense pain.
Severity of Hamstring Injury:
Mild Grade 1 Hamstring Injuries: • Muscle stiffness, soreness, and tightness in the back of the thigh.
• Little noticeable swelling. • Some discomfort may be present with normal walking gait and range of motion Moderate Grade 2 Hamstring Injury: • Gait will be affected and a limp that may be present.
• Muscle pain, sharp twinges, and tightness in the back of the thigh.
• Noticeable swelling or bruising. • Painful to the touch. • A limited range of motion and pain when flexing the knee.
Kevin L. Scott, M.D. nonsteroidal
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