Summer is here, and with it comes the opportunity to get outside and enjoy all of your favorite warm-weather sports. However, while summertime activities can be invigorating, they also come with an increased risk of injury. Whether you're an active participant in organized sports leagues or you simply enjoy a casual game of beach volleyball or frisbee with friends, it's important to be aware of the most common summer sports injuries and how to prevent them.
At, Michael Rytel, MD Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, Dr. Michael Rytel is dedicated to providing athletes of all forms with cutting-edge treatments and personalized care to enhance performance and promote longevity.
Here are some of the most common sports injuries to avoid this summer:
ACL Injuries
ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, injuries are a common type of knee injury that can occur during summer sports activities. This includes sports like soccer, basketball, baseball, and football, which involve sudden twisting or pivoting movements that can put stress on the knee joint. ACL injuries can be quite serious, often requiring surgery and extensive rehabilitation to fully recover.
Symptoms of an ACL injury typically include a popping sensation in the knee at the time of injury, followed by swelling, pain, and difficulty moving the knee. Preventing ACL injuries can be challenging, but there are some measures that athletes can take to reduce their risk. These include wearing proper footwear with good support, warming up and stretching properly before activity, maintaining good overall fitness and flexibility, and using proper technique when jumping or changing direction suddenly.
Additionally, implementing strengthening exercises for the legs and core can help provide added support and stability to the knee joint. By taking these preventative measures, athletes can minimize their risk of suffering from an ACL injury and enjoy a safe and healthy summer sports season.
Concussions
Concussions are another common type of injury that can occur during summer sports activities. Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury that can result from a direct blow to the head or a sudden jerking motion of the head, such as whiplash. This can happen in contact sports like football, soccer, lacrosse, and basketball, where collisions are common.
Symptoms of a concussion may include headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating. It's important to note that some individuals may not experience symptoms until days or even weeks after the initial injury. If left untreated, concussions can lead to long-term health problems, including memory loss, depression, and cognitive impairment. Preventing concussions begins with proper equipment and training. Wearing a properly fitting helmet and mouthguard can help reduce the risk of head injuries.
Additionally, athletes should be trained on proper technique to avoid collision, and coaches should have protocols in place for identifying and managing potential concussions. If an athlete does experience a concussion, it's important that they receive prompt medical attention and follow appropriate treatment and recovery protocols.
Golfer's/Tennis Elbow
Golfer's elbow and tennis elbow are two common types of injuries that can occur during summer sports activities. These conditions both involve inflammation and pain in the tendons that attach to the elbow, causing discomfort and limited mobility. Golfer's elbow, also known as medial epicondylitis, is caused by overuse or repetitive strain on the tendons that connect the forearm muscles to the inner elbow. Conversely, tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, occurs when the tendons that connect the forearm muscles to the outer elbow become inflamed.
Both conditions are common in sports like golf and tennis, where players frequently use their arms and wrists to swing and hit the ball. Symptoms of golfer's elbow and tennis elbow typically include pain and tenderness on the inner or outer elbow, weakness in the affected arm, and difficulty gripping objects. Treatment for these conditions typically involves rest, ice, compression, and elevation of the affected area, as well as physical therapy and other rehabilitation techniques.
Additionally, athletes may need to modify their technique or equipment to reduce the strain on the affected tendons. By taking these preventative measures, athletes can minimize their risk of developing golfer's elbow or tennis elbow and stay healthy and injury-free throughout the summer sports season.
Rotator Cuff Tears
Rotator cuff tears are a common type of injury that can occur during summer sports activities. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that attach the shoulder blade to the upper arm bone, allowing for a wide range of movement in the shoulder joint. Athletes who participate in sports like baseball, softball, volleyball, and swimming, which involve repetitive overhead throwing or reaching motions, are particularly susceptible to rotator cuff injuries.
Symptoms of a rotator cuff tear may include pain in the shoulder and upper arm, weakness in the affected arm, difficulty lifting or reaching objects, and a clicking or popping sensation in the shoulder. Treatment for a rotator cuff tear typically involves rest, ice, and physical therapy to restore strength and mobility to the affected shoulder. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the damaged tissue.
To prevent rotator cuff injuries, athletes should take care to warm up and stretch properly before activity, use proper technique when throwing or reaching overhead, and strengthen the muscles in the shoulder and upper back through targeted exercise.
Muscle Strains
Muscle strains are a common type of injury that can occur during summer sports activities. These injuries involve the overstretching or tearing of muscle fibers, often due to sudden movements, improper technique, or inadequate warm-up and stretching. Sports like soccer, basketball, baseball, and football, which involve running, jumping, and quick changes in direction, are particularly prone to muscle strains.
Symptoms of a muscle strain may include pain, swelling, weakness, and difficulty moving the affected muscle. Treatment for these injuries typically involves rest, ice, compression, and elevation of the affected area, as well as physical therapy and other rehabilitation techniques to restore strength and flexibility to the muscle.
Preventing muscle strains requires athletes to take care in their preparation and execution. Proper warm-up and stretching before activity can significantly reduce the risk of injury, as can using proper technique and gradually increasing intensity and duration of exercise. Adequate rest and recovery time between workouts is also crucial in preventing muscle strains.
By taking these preventative measures, athletes can minimize their risk of summer sports injuries and enjoy a safe and healthy summer sports season without interruptions caused by setbacks or injuries.
If you are suffering from a sports-related injury, contact Dr. Michael Rytel at Michael Rytel, MD Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine for a comprehensive evaluation or schedule an appointment directly from our website today!
