Last updated 1 year ago
Would you like to learn more about the topics covered in our recent blog posts? If you suffer from a sports injury and live in New York, then you might find these resources both informative and helpful. Stop by the offices of expert orthopedic surgeon Dr. Drew Stein or call us today at (212) 398-2300.
Last updated 1 year ago
From sports games to slips, knee injuries can happen to anyone at any time.
Knee injuries can be painful and debilitating, often causing serious physical damage, such as an ACL tear. While some knee injuries require immediate medical attention, most mild to moderate knee injuries can be treated with the simple RICE method:
Rest
If you have a knee injury, then it’s best to completely avoid using that leg or bending the injured knee. Rest the knee by remaining seated or using crutches when movement is necessary. Continuing to put stress on a mildly injured knee can lead to more serious overuse injuries.
Ice
Applying ice to the injury is useful for keeping the swelling down by narrowing blood vessels to hinder internal bleeding. The cold helps reduce pain for acute injuries, as opposed to heat, which is more useful for injuries without swelling or inflammation. To ice your knee, wrap the area in a towel and place the ice on the knee for 10-minute periods. Allow the skin to return to normal temperature before repeating the process.
Compress
Applying athletic tape, elastic wraps, or special knee compression products helps to reduce the swelling and keep the knee from moving. Make sure that the bandage isn’t causing discomfort or pain. Also, verify that circulation isn’t being blocked by overly tight compression.
Elevate
When you have a knee injury, it’s important to keep the knee elevated above the level of your heart. Keeping your knee elevated reduces swelling and inflammation, which in turn reduces pain levels.
The best thing to do is to seek medical treatment from a knee doctor, orthopedic surgeon, or sports medicine professional. Dr. Drew Stein, a NYC sports medicine doctor, treats many types of knee injuries and can prescribe the best treatment methods to heal your injured knee. Call (212) 398-2300 to make an appointment today.
Last updated 1 year ago
Organized sports are a large part of many individual’s childhoods, creating memories that will last a lifetime. Unfortunately, many childhood tales often involve dramatic and painful sports injuries. With millions of children and young adults participating in these activities, a large portion of pediatric injuries are related to sports. Here’s some important sports injury information that parents should know:
Types of Sports Injuries
Most sports injuries are not caused in a single traumatic event, but overuse injuries. Also called cumulative trauma disorder, these are sports-related injuries that are caused from repetitive use. These pains are often trivialized and adolescents are encouraged to continue playing. Yet overuse injuries are often the most difficult to diagnose and treat. Examples include tennis elbow and shin splints.
Acute injuries such as sprains or fractures can also dramatically impact your child’s health. Adolescents often lack the proper techniques that come with experience and end up hurting themselves or others. These acute sports injuries often require physical therapy or surgery and sometimes make it impossible for the adolescent to play the same sport.
Concerns for Adolescents
There are some concerns for adolescents that wouldn’t be relevant for adults with the same sports injury because adolescents are still growing into their adult bodies. For example, growth may be stunted if metal pieces are implanted in a still-growing area. Similarly, if an area is overly tightened post-surgery, the child may suffer chronic pain. Reoccurring physical stress can also cause serious injury to the growth plates.
Sports Injury Prevention
Pre-season conditioning is particularly critical in preventing sports-related injury. Pre-season physicals from a doctor can also help identify any areas that may be problematic. It’s also important to foster an environment where children can share their pain without judgment, as adolescents may have a tendency to ignore their pain and continue playing only to dramatically worsen the injury.
If you have an adolescent athlete, then it’s best to become knowledgeable about sports injuries. For more information about adolescent sports injuries, contact Dr. Drew Stein. As an expert orthopedic surgeon in New York specializing in sports medicine for both adults and children, Dr. Stein can help get you or your child back in the game. Call (212) 398-2300 to schedule an appointment.
Last updated 1 year ago
Sports injuries continue to worsen the longer they go without treatment. It may be difficult to differentiate symptoms between injuries. Use the following resources to recognize a running injury and seek medical assistance. For more information, contact Drew Stein, MD, a New York orthopedic surgeon, at (212) 398-2300.
