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Everyone looks forward to the sunny summer weather as it is the most perfect time for outdoor activities with friends and family. It is the time to pull out your tennis rackets, unpack your bathing suits, and bring out the kayaks. While all these sporting activities are enjoyable and healthy, they can be associated with injuries. Some of the most common summer injuries include muscle strains, ankle sprains, shin splints, fractures, tendonitis, bursitis, and tear of ligaments. It is important that you gain a clear understanding of how these injuries occur, how to prevent them, how they present, and how to manage them.

Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprains are among the most common summer sporting injuries. They can happen during morning runs, tennis tournaments, family picnics and other activities that take place on uneven surfaces. They result from a tear of ligaments that stabilize the ankle joints and are sometimes even associated with ankle fractures. When one sprains an ankle, they experience a sudden onset of pain and swelling around the ankle and can sometimes even be unable to move the joint.

Should you experience an ankle sprain, consider RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). Simply stop your activity, apply a cold pack, use an ankle wrap for compression and elevate the limp. Mild analgesics like ibuprofen and tylenol can be used. These practices will help you reduce the pain. East Beach Urgent Care can help you with knowing if the injury is a sprain or a break by offering onsite x-rays. East Beach Urgent Care can also provide a free ankle brace to help prevent ankle injuries.

Shin Splints

Shin splint refers to pain experienced around the shinbone (the tibia). It occurs due to trauma to muscles and tendons that surround the tibia. It is also caused by too much exertion due to repeated physical activities. This injury mostly occurs in cyclists and runners. When one experiences a shin splint, the region around the tibia swells and is tender. The person can also experience some weakness and immobility due to immense pain. To properly manage a shin splint, again, consider RICE. One should get some rest, do a cold compress using ice cubes and elevate the affected limb. This will help reduce the pain and the inflammation.

Tear of knee joint ligaments

Ligaments are like rubber bands that stabilize a joint. They can tear due to trauma associated with strenuous activity involving the joints for instance during cycling. One of the most commonly torn ligaments is the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee joint. One sign of anterior cruciate ligament injury is a popping sound in the knee joint at the time of injury followed by sudden onset pain. The joint then begins to swell and mobility can become a problem. These injuries can be serious and may even require surgery. Advanced imaging with a MRI is often required and East Beach Urgent Care can order this testing for you.

Bursitis

Bursitis refers to the inflammation of the joint bursae. Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that surround the joint to provide cushioning the knee during motion. These sacs can be inflamed due to repetitive motion, infection, and trauma. Should you suspect bursitis, it is important that you see a physician. In the meantime, you can take some anti-inflammatory medications to reduce the swelling and the pain.

Preventing summer sport injuries

It is advised that you get proper sports shoes. Aside from comfort, proper fitting shoes will support your ankles preventing you from slipping or sliding. It is also advised that you replace worn out shoes.

Avoid repetitive strenuous activity. To avoid wear and tear of joint supporting tissues, it important that you take a break once you are exhausted.

Take care while running on uneven grounds.

Always warm up before you can go on a morning run. It is advised that you do not run with cold muscles.

To support your ankles, stop by East Beach Urgent Care to get your free ankle brace!