Tag Archives: Football

Shoulder Separation

Many athletes who play contact sports like football, can experience shoulder separation. A common misconception about a separated shoulder is that it’s an injury to the shoulder joint. A separated shoulder involves the acromioclavicular joint (known as the AC joint), which is where the collarbone meets the highest point of the shoulder blade.
A fall directly on the shoulder is the most common cause of a separated shoulder as it injures the ligaments, muscles, and tendons around the AC joint. If the movement or fall that caused the injury is bad enough, it can tear the ligaments attached to the collarbone, which is what separates the shoulder.

Symptoms of a separated shoulder include:
– Limited joint mobility
– Pain in the shoulder
– Swelling, or bruising

An X-ray usually identifies what’s wrong with the shoulder, and sometimes nonsurgical treatments like ice packs, slings, and anti-inflammatory medications can help manage the pain and help the shoulder return to its normal function. Oftentimes, however, surgery is required. Depending on the severity of the injury, the surgeon may suggest trimming the end of the collarbone so that it doesn’t rub the acromion. If the injury is more severe, the surgeon may have to reconstruct the ligaments that attach to the collarbone.

For more information, call 251-410-3600.

AOC, comebacks start here.

Labrum Tear

Labrum Tear: Solutions and Treatment

The football season is in full swing, and while each snap of the ball is thrilling for fans, for the athletes on the field, one wrong hit can lead to serious shoulder injuries, such as a torn labrum.

The shoulder is made up of three bones: the shoulder blade (scapula), the upper arm bone (humerus), and the collarbone (clavicle). On the outer edge of the glenoid (the shallow socket in which the upper arm bone rests in the shoulder blade) is the labrum, a soft tissue that helps stabilize the joint, makes the socket deeper, and allows a variety of movements.

A labrum can be torn in a number of ways; from falling on an outstretched arm, a direct hit to the shoulder, a forceful pull on the arm, or a forceful movement when the arm is above the shoulder level. Athletes who partake in repetitive overhead arm movements, such as quarterbacks and receivers, are especially at risk of a torn labrum.

Symptoms of a torn labrum typically include:

  • A sharp popping in or locking of the shoulder
  • Pain during shoulder movement
  • Difficulty lifting objects, especially when lifting overhead
  • Shoulder strength decrease
  • Diminished range of motion

If surgery is required, it will be done with arthroscopy, which means the surgeon inserts a small camera into the shoulder joint through a small incision. The camera, called an arthroscope, provides pictures on a screen to help the surgeon guide and maneuver small surgical instruments to fix the tear.

For more information, call 251-410-3600. Comebacks start here.

Playing Injured: Not a Tough Call

Playing Injured: Not a Tough Call

Playing Injured: Not a Tough Call

Did you know that many NFL players risk their health by playing through injuries? Tough or not, their desire to stay on the field is so strong that it can sometimes overshadow their pain. The nature of this sport fosters high pain tolerance and quick recovery, but athletes shouldn’t always “suck it up,” as it increases their chances of re-injury or re-aggravation.

With playoffs approaching, it is important to look out for these four common football-related injuries and encourage players to seek proper treatment:

ACL/MCL/PCL/LCL tears – anterior cruciate, medial collateral, posterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments are all located in the knee. Each serves a different purpose to the function of the knee. Depending on the area of impact, front, rear or side, these ligaments can be damaged or torn. These tears are dangerous because of their high pain level and long-term healing time. Tears can also affect a player’s long-term ability to play.

Concussions – Even though players wear helmets, concussions can still occur. Concussions are the result of a traumatic hit to the head and can have serious effects on the player. When in doubt, players should take the bench and seek medical attention.

Shoulder injuries – While shoulder pads are designed to absorb the shock of tackles, injury can still occur. Common shoulder injuries are: shoulder separation/ dislocation and shoulder tendonitis. If a player takes a direct blow below the shoulder, it can cause separation of the acromioclavicular joint. A shoulder dislocation occurs when the head of the humerus detaches from the scapula. Shoulder tendonitis occurs due to overuse from throwing.

Ankle/Foot injuries – The most common sports injury is a sprained ankle. Ankle sprains and strains are caused by soft tissue damage from pivoting, changing direction or applying pressure to the joint.

Reality check: the longer an injury is played on, the longer it takes to retrain the muscle. If you’re injured while playing a sport, please make an appointment with one of our sports medicine orthopedics – Call: 251-410-3600 

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