Common Workout Injuries and How to Avoid Them

Sports and gym injuries are not only physically unpleasant, they also cause lethargy and can sometimes even lead to depression.

Even those who exercise every single day of their lives are prone to workout injuries and knee joint pain. You may have heard how a seasoned sports player can miss matches because of a muscle pull in the gym.

When gym instructors and trainers tell you that a particular form or posture is not right or bad for your body in the long run then you should avoid them at all costs.

 

Let’s have a look at some of the common workout injuries: Why do they occur & how to avoid them

• Knee Injury: Good warm up exercise before workout sessions is something that should compulsorily be a part of your daily gym routine. People, who have just undergone total knee replacement surgery, should not include those exercises that will put too much strain on their knees
• Foot & Ankle Pain: Wearing unsupportive shoes during your cardio workout sessions can lead to foot and ankle pain. There are two major reasons for this: first, you are not giving your foot proper cushioning; and second, the soles of your shoes are not good enough to provide your ankle adequate support.
• Shoulder Injury: Avoid lifting weights that do not match your BMI (Body Mass Index). Your Shoulder Specialist will tell you which sports and activities are good for when you recover from a Shoulder Replacement Surgery.

If you develop a workout injury, follow the “R.I.C.E.” method to keep your injury from getting worse:

R: Rest the injury

I: Ice the injury to lessen swelling, bleeding, and inflammation

C: Apply a compression bandage to minimize swelling

E: Elevate the injury if possible, to reduce swelling

Different Types of Rotator Cuff Surgery

Your rotator cuff is made up of 4 muscles that help to move and stabilize shoulder joint. Damage to any of the muscles can injure your rotator cuff either acutely or even a serious damage that can keep you bed ridden for a long time. The rotator cuff muscles are anatomically associated with the Scapula; any changes in the movement of scapula can affect your shoulder badly.

Let’s Look at the 3 Types of Surgery That Can Be Performed On Your Injured Rotator Cuff:

Open Rotator Cuff Repair:

One of the surgical methods for your injured rotator cuff is an open rotator cuff repair surgery where a where several centimeter long surgical incision is done over your shoulder.

Who would require Open Rotator Cuff Repair Surgical Incision?

• People with complicated and large rotator cuffs
• People who require reconstruction procedures for eg. Tendon transfers

Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Surgery

Arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery is performed on people with small to medium sized tears. It is an outpatient procedure that and the least invasive of the three rotator cuff repair procedures.

Unlike Open Rotator Cuff Surgery… Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repairs Require Small Incisions… Which Mean

• Shorter Recovery
• Less Pain
• No over complications

Mini-Open Rotator Cuff Repair:

Mini-Open Rotator Cuff Repair uses techniques of both open rotator cuff repair and arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. This combined rotator cuff repair is performed on people who have torn more than one tendon.

The Role of Orthopedic Surgeons

Orthopedics is the branch of medicine related to diseases, damages and conditions of the musculoskeletal system or the body’s muscles and skeleton. This structure also comprises of the joints, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Meanwhile, orthopedic surgeons are the medical specialists who are responsible for preventive and surgical treatment of the musculoskeletal system.

About Orthopedic Surgery and Surgeon

Experts insist that the exact name of this medical specialty is actually orthopedic surgery and not orthopedics. However, orthopedics is the commonly known and accepted term for the purpose. As a line of specialists, orthopedic surgery is made up of surgeons (knee specialist, shoulder specialist and so on) and other healthcare professionals who provide comprehensive orthopedic services.This line of expertise provides treatment for diseases, damages, fractures and pain. In addition, orthopedists also take care of rehabilitation programs for the physically disabled and participate in ongoing musculoskeletal study.

Orthopedic Surgeons/Physicians – Key Roles

The main roles of an orthopedic surgeon/physician can be divided into the following sub-heads:

Diagnostic and assessment technique Treatment Research

Here we have discussed each and every role in detail to facilitate a better understanding of an orthopedic surgeon/physician’s role and functions.

Diagnostic Role

A vast number of patients visit their orthopedic surgeon/physicians every year for a series of ailments, disorders and medical conditions. There are a vast number of conditions that have an impact on our body’s musculoskeletal system, which need clinical care by an orthopedic surgeon.

What does an Orthopedic Surgeon Treat?

An orthopedic surgeon treats musculoskeletal conditions without operation, by using medications, exercise and other rehabilitative or alternative therapies. If required, he/she may also recommend surgical treatment.

Some of the conditions and diseases an orthopedic surgeon treatment includes:

• Abnormalities of the fingers and toes
• Osteoarthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Ruptured disks, Back pain, sciatica and scoliosis
• Bone tumors, muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy
• Fractures and dislocations
• Growth abnormalities
• Tendon injuries, pulled muscles, bursitis and torn cartilage
• Torn ligaments, sprains and strains
• Club foot, bunions, bow legs, knock knees and unequal leg length
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Sports or work-related injuries