Fans of the Washington Redskins football team are anxiously awaiting news on the breakout superstar quarterback, Robert Griffin III, known to diehards as RG3. Griffin suffered two ACL tears requiring knee surgery and rehabilitation. In the training camps, his coach and others were optimistic that he would return to the field ready to go, but now that the regulation season is getting closer, there is certainly some hesitation.
In the preseason matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, RG3 sat on the bench again, and the team’s PR gurus were quick to deny any reports that RG3 may sit out the first few regulation games of the season. In fact, rumor mills are churning that we may not see RG3 in a game until October 13, which is week six of the regulation season.
Knee injuries are ubiquitous among athletes, and take a considerable amount of time to heal. Once healed, many find that they are never quite the same. In the case of Griffin, two anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears had him sidelined with surgery on his schedule instead of football.
One of the most common injuries for athletes is ACL tears, which commonly occur when the foot is planted and the knee is pivoted beyond its normal range of motion. The ACL is a ligament that aids in the turning, pivoting, support, and range of motion of the knee. Generally, if torn, the ACL requires a surgical repair, and especially if an athlete wants to return to their sport. However, conservative options may be recommended if the tear is only partial, or the physician feels that the patient will heal correctly and return to their full range of motion and function level.
At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, the pain management specialists can help relieve pain due to ACL tears or following ACL surgery. Those who have knee pain should schedule an appointment at Southwest Spine and Pain Center to speak to the pain management doctors about relieving knee pain, restoring range of motion, restoring lost function, and improving quality of life.
As for RG3, time will only tell if he will be returning to the Redskins field as agile as he once was.
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.
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