Advanced Orthopedic Care

Advanced Care for Injuries Returns Players to the Field and Workers to the Job Sports medicine is the medical specialty of treating and preventing performance related injuries. If you think only athletes are candidates for sports medicine treatment, think again: the same techniques used to return a bruising linebacker to the field are also applicable to the factory worker who sprains an ankle on the job.

The orthopedic surgeons listed below are on staff at Greenview Regional Hospital, and offer the latest and most effective treatments to patients with injuries that limit movement and performance. The physical therapy department, staffed by highly experienced physical therapists, feature time-proven rehabilitation equipment such as whirlpool, ultrasound, and weight training machines.

To find out more about prevention and treatment of sports and work related injuries we talked with the Orthopedic Specialists of Western Kentucky Orthopedic Associates.

Most Common Sports Medicine Injuries, with its dozens of major and skeletal muscles, tendons (which connect muscle to bone), and ligaments (which connect bone to bone), the human body is susceptible to countless structural injuries. Three types of injuries stand out as the most common.

General Muscle Strain/Sprain Many people use the terms 'muscle strain' and 'muscle sprain' interchangeably, but they're not the same. A strain is when a muscle is pulled past normal limits. It's not as serious as a sprain, which is actually an injury to a ligament.

Muscle strain is often accompanied by uncomfortable - but not debilitating- pain within a muscle, particularly the day after the event that caused the injury. The pain, which increases with use, is caused by microtears in the muscle fibers.

Initial treatment calls for the RICE formula: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.

The first step is to stop the activity that caused the injury. The next priority - if the goal is rapid-as-possible-recovery - is to apply ice. Ice the injury right away and try to ice for 15 minutes at a time a minimum of 3-4 times a day for several days until the swelling goes down. Ice not only decreases the pain, it reduces internal bleeding and swelling which, unchecked, can actually worsen the injury. Warning: Do NOT apply heat to a fresh muscle strain because that increases bleeding and swelling. Once the inflammation is gone - after 2-3 days - heat can be used to relieve pain and loosen up the muscle.

Compression - such as tightly applying an Ace bandage to the injury - helps relieve the swelling and speed healing. Elevating the area also relieves inflammation by allowing pooled blood to drain from the injury.

Acetaminophen is the over-the-counter oral pain reliever of choice at Western Kentucky Orthopedics. Aspirin thins the blood and can cause increase bleeding, Ibuprofen can also cause blood thinning.

A sprain, unlike a strain, will typically cause incapacitating pain. Medical treatment is called for - especially if the underlying injury includes a fracture. If the injury is marked by a high degree of numbness and/or serious bruising, a fracture is possible, which necessitates a visit to the physician's office or emergency room. If these conditions do not exist, they suggest following the RICE formula and seeing a physician if the symptoms haven't cleared or diminished after several days. Doing all four RICE steps will do more to speed recovery than anything else you can do.

The recommended treatment for a severe sprain begins with the application of a splint or air cast over the area to limit mobility and minimize swelling. After three days, they prescribe whirlpool treatments and range-of-motion work, which involves gradually moving the area more and more until complete function returns.

Physical therapy for a severe sprain can involve ultrasound, which uses high intensity sound waves to deliver heat to an area; a stretching and strengthening program; and friction massage, which is an aggressive (and somewhat painful) manual manipulation that breaks up movement-restricting scar tissue formed as the injury heals.

People don't give themselves enough time to heal after an injury. Performing athletes want to return to their sports and workers, for obvious financial reasons, want to return to their jobs. Caution and common sense are warranted, however, because a reinjury can take longer to heal than the original injury.

Of course, the ideal goal is to prevent a strain or sprain in the first place. It is recommended to stretch to warm and loosen muscles before any strenuous activity. It is also wise to perform the activity itself at low intensity, such as a slow jog before running, or lifting light weights and gradually building poundage.

People who perform heavy lifting on the job, such as nursing home personnel or warehouse employees, should consider themselves, 'industrial athletes.' They perform hard physical tasks for their livelihood, and need to take the same safety measures as the performing athlete. That includes warming up and stretching and wearing a support belt.

Practice proper lifting form, and bend your knees and lift with your legs. They're the strongest muscle in the body.

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