Sports Injuries

It happens quickly, outside sports stop and inside sports start. As a parent/coach/athlete, preventative steps will help reduce pain, injury, lost playing time and money.

The first tip is to continue to hydrate. Yes, your athlete is inside, but loss of body fluid is a set up for dehydration and cramps. This will ultimately be a step in the wrong direction for muscle strains and possible tendon injuries. Drink water before, during and after practice and games.

Great fitting and supportive shoes will prevent the blisters, shin splints and “kneecap” (patellar) bony and tendon inflammation. Another good rule of thumb for all athletes is “warm up and cool down”. Use heat to increase circulation before the event and ice after the event to decrease pain and inflammation. There are all types of braces, straps and pads. Ask your athletic trainer which is best for your possible condition.

A serious consideration for all court sports is the continued emphasis on “core strength”. Doing “core” work with a balance of abdominal/back structures will maintain great control of the hips and pelvis. Keeping in mind that this is the most powerful muscle group for jumping, running, change of direction and stopping. A well maintained “core” will also assist in diminishing the pelvic drop that has been documented in jump-stop moves that are associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears/injuries of the knee. The female athlete is more prone to ACL injury than male, due to many documented studies. Most research has moved the training phase of athletes into detailed attention of the muscle balance of the thigh, (quadriceps in the front and hamstrings in the back). As an athlete, coach and parent, more knowledge and conditioning will be a rewarding insurance to a long productive season.

If you have questions or concerns about an injury. Please don’t hesitate to call our office at (432) 640-6446.

Hope you had Happy Holidays and Best of Luck for all Seasons.

James Ingram, D.O., F.A.O.A.O., Board Certified in Orthopedic Surgery, specializes in treating immediate and chronic orthopedic conditions. Dr. Ingram also works to incorporate prevention as a model to live by for all of his patients.

Dr. Ingram specializes in:

• Joint Replacement – Shoulder, Hip, and Knee
• Arthroscopy of shoulder and knee
• Sports Medicine

ProCare Orthopedics
519 North Lincoln Avenue
Odessa, Texas 79761
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Call (432) 640-6446 for more information