Schools
2 Days Until School: Preventing Sports Injuries
Each day of the month leading up to the first day of school, we'll bring you useful back-to-school information, tricks, trends and tips.
Football causes the most sports-related injuries in high school boys’ athletics, and local doctors say there are preventative measures every student athlete can take to avoid extended periods on the bench.
“In my experience, high school football players want to be tough and play through the pain,” says Dr. Ron Lederman. “The sooner an injury – even a minor one – can be evaluated and treated, the sooner most injured players can get back on the field.”
Lederman is board certified and the fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon at Lederman Orthopedics, located at the Lakes Medical Center in West Bloomfield. Kwartowitz is also board certified and was trained as an orthopedic surgeon in a sports-medicine fellowship program.
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In addition to his academic achievement, he's also an experienced marathon runner and ironman traithelete, so he knows the importance of quickly treating nagging injuries.
To prevent orthopedic injury, such as tendonitis, shin splints and even more series injuries, such as stress fractures and tears to shoulder’s rotator cuff or ligaments in the knee, he suggests high school football
players, as well as athletes playing any sport, follow these important guidelines:
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- Conditioning is key. Build a strong cardiovascular endurance base, such as through running, by starting slowly in pre-season and increasing mileage or time by no more than 10% a week.
- Build a strong core. The core includes chest, back, abdominal and pelvis muscles. A strong core can enhance athletic performance by supporting the entire body and proper form during running, kicking and throwing motions.
- Practice proper form, especially during a tackle and repetitive motions, such as throwing a ball. How you perform during practice is how you’ll perform during a game.
- Warm-up and stretching is always needed to prepare the body for a workout or competition.
- Treat injury quickly. Injury to soft tissues, such as bruising and strains, can be treated with P.R.I.C.E to the area – Pressure, Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. If pain, swelling and limited mobility lasts longer than two to three days, the athlete should be seen by their doctor or specialist.
- All injuries to the head and possible bone breaks should be immediately evaluated by a doctor.
“If there is severe pain, limited mobility and swelling at the injury site – especially if a pop or snap was heard or felt – the athlete should be seen immediately by the school’s athletic trainer and then referred to
an orthopedic specialist with training in sports medicine,” Lederman said.
Timing is critical and directly linked to future ability to perform, he stressed.
“When an injury occurs, it’s critical that young athletes and their parents understand how and when to treat injuries, especially early in the season. It could mean the difference of being off the field for only a few days instead of weeks.”
For more information about Dr. Lederman's medical practice, click here.
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