Common InjuriesCommon InjuriesSports Medicine ISports Medicine I

Ligament SprainsLigament Sprains Caused by multi-Caused by multi-

directional forcesdirectional forces Sports with cleats Sports with cleats

pose a greater riskpose a greater risk Torsion most often Torsion most often

damages meniscidamages menisci Caused byCaused by

– WeaknessWeakness– ImbalancesImbalances– Poor mechanicsPoor mechanics

Ligament GradesLigament Grades Grade I: Tissues Grade I: Tissues

are stretchedare stretched Grade II: A portion Grade II: A portion

of one or more of one or more ligaments is torn.ligaments is torn.

Grade III: One or Grade III: One or more ligaments more ligaments have been have been completely torn.completely torn.

Patella TendinitisPatella Tendinitis Originates from Originates from

quadriceps tendonquadriceps tendon Excessive stress can Excessive stress can

cause inflammationcause inflammation Reports pain after Reports pain after

exercisingexercising Swelling may be Swelling may be

presentpresent Cold: reduces pain Cold: reduces pain

with rest to help with with rest to help with inflammationinflammation

Chondromalacia PatellaChondromalacia Patella Very common Very common Painful Painful

degenerative degenerative conditioncondition

Irritation and Irritation and softening of the softening of the cartilage on cartilage on posterior patellaposterior patella

Causes unusual Causes unusual trackingtracking

Can elicit painCan elicit pain– RunningRunning– JumpingJumping– KneelingKneeling– Climbing stairsClimbing stairs

Osgood-Schlatter ConditionsOsgood-Schlatter Conditions Common in adolescents Common in adolescents

due to rapid growth due to rapid growth during “growth spurts”during “growth spurts”

Characterized by Characterized by swellingswelling

Can lead to chronic Can lead to chronic knee irritation and painknee irritation and pain

Symptoms disappear Symptoms disappear after adolescence, but after adolescence, but a bony prominence a bony prominence remainsremains

Complains of severe Complains of severe painpain– JumpingJumping– RunningRunning– KneelingKneeling– After athletic activityAfter athletic activity

Muscular StrainsMuscular Strains Common causes:Common causes:

– Lack of strengthLack of strength– Repetitive overuseRepetitive overuse– Improper techniqueImproper technique– Inadequate warm-Inadequate warm-

upup

Pain primarily in Pain primarily in soft tissuesoft tissue

Treat using RICETreat using RICE Common to Common to

quadriceps and quadriceps and hamstringshamstrings