Injuries of the hand , elbow , shoulder , and ankle are some of the most common sportsrelated injuries that Justin Kunes , MD , orthopedic surgeon at Piedmont Newton Hospital , has treated in his five years of practice . “ Identifying the injury and seeking treatment immediately is key to a quicker recovery and getting your student athlete back in the game ,” Dr . Kunes , who recently joined Piedmont Physicians Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in Covington , said . “ While there is no definitive way to prevent sports injuries from happening to your student athlete , it is important to know how to deal with them if they do occur .” Ankle sprain . Dr . Kunes estimates that half of all ankle sprains are sports related and occur when the ankle is stretched beyond its normal range of motion . Ankle sprains are common in sports that involve changing direction or jumping . Signs of an ankle sprain include pain , swelling , bruising , stiffness , and inability to walk or put weight on the ankle . If these symptoms present , Dr . Kunes recommends rest , icing the ankle , and keeping it elevated to reduce swelling . Wrapping the ankle also will give it support . Have a doctor evaluate the ankle to make sure the injury doesn ’ t get worse .
Common Sports Injuries Parents of Student Athletes Should Know
Jammed finger . A great catch during the big game could result in a finger injury , especially if the ball hits the finger and bends it in the wrong direction , also known as a finger jam . Finger jams occur when the fingertip is pushed back into the hand or bent backwards . They are most common in sports that involve a ball , like basketball or football . Signs of a jammed finger include pain or inability to bend or straighten the finger , as well as inability to grab things with the finger . Typically , these jams are minor injuries but it is best to have the injury evaluated by a doctor to be sure . Golfer ’ s elbow ( also known as “ tennis elbow ”). Despite its name , golf does not cause this common elbow injury . Golfer ’ s elbow is the result of overusing muscles in the forearm and does not come from a single injury . Instead , golfer ’ s elbow occurs over time because of the repetitive motions involved with throwing or hitting a ball . Look out for pain or burning on the inside or the outside of the elbow , as well as weakness when trying to grab something . If golfer ’ s elbow is suspected , have the student athlete avoid sports-related activities until they see a doctor . For more information about sportsrelated injuries in student athletes or to schedule an appointment with Dr . Kunes , visit piedmont . org .
This article is courtesy of Living Better Piedmont . For more information on Piedmont Newton Hospital , please visit piedmont . org .