With Super Bowl XLIX starting in 4 days, the team at Southwest Spine and Pain Center wants to discuss common football injuries. Moreover, what can be done to reduce pain caused by these injuries. Without further ado, below are some of the most common injuries professional football players sustain.
Sprains, strains and tears account for 40% of injuries. This typically includes:
- Anterior and posterior cruciate ligament tears (ACL; PCL)
- Medial collateral tears (MCL)
- Torn rotator cuff
- Wrist, knee and ankle sprains
Contusions account for 24% of injuries. This typically includes:
- Bruises
- Turf Toe
Dislocations account for 15% of injuries. This typically includes:
- Shoulder dislocation
- Shoulder separation
Fractures account for 10% of Injuries. This typically includes:
- Shoulder fracture (fractured clavicle)
- Finger fractures
- Tibial fractures
For most of these injuries, a physician will usually immediately recommend RICE: rest, ice, compression and elevation. After ice has been applied, the physician will then thoroughly examine the patients and determine what surgery, if any, the patient needs to repair their injury. Cold compression therapy is typically recommended following and injury or surgery because it helps decrease inflammation and speed up the recovery process.
Players involved in high-contact sports should consider incorporating stretching, strength-training and balance routines into their warm-up drills to reduce the risk of some of these injuries. After the patient has healed, he may experience some level of pain. Chronic pain is a complex condition and can unfortunately develop after a specific injury that has long since healed. If an athlete has developed chronic pain after an injury, the team at Southwest Spine and Pain Center may recommend the following among other therapies:
If chronic pain is impacting your life, don't wait to schedule an appointment at Southwest Spine and Pain Center. With three locations and growing, the pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center are dedicated to helping those who suffer from chronic pain live the life they want to! To schedule an appointment, visit our locations tab!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.
©Southwest Spine and Pain Center, 2015
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