Americans have the urge to
"get back in shape" in increasing numbers.
Unfortunately, many of us do damage in the process. Probabaly
the most important recommendation to avoid injury are:
1. Check with your medical doctor before seriously
increasing your level of exercise.
2. Try for slow and steady increases in your
exercise tolerance and endurance. The tortoise tends to be the
hare in this race.
3. Always warm up -- This means performing your
exercise or sport in "easy" mode for a number of
minutes until you start to perspire then increase the intensity
of the exercise or sport. Stretch after being warmed up.
Despite the best intentions, some
people will still overdo. For those folks, the orthopedic
specialist will be your friend.
Some of the common sports injuries are:
1. Rotator cuff injuries
2. ACL injuries
3. Torn meniscus
4. Strains and sprains of ligaments and tendons
5. Fractures
ROTATOR CUFF
Your rotator cuff is located below the scapula, or shoulder
blade, and the clavicle and above the round ball of the humerus.
A healthy rotator cuff provides your shoulder with strength,
flexibility and control. It holds your humerus in your shoulder
socket and helps your outer shoulder muscle to move smoothly.
After periods of overuse of the
arm, which continually pinches the rotator cuff, the tendon can
beome inflamed or damaged. Tenderness, pain and shoulder
weakness provide hints that something is wrong. You may be
unable to lift your arm. Some of the common rotator cuff
ailments include overuse tendinitis, calcification tendinitis,
impingement syndrome and torn rotator cuff.
Some shoulder injuries are more severe than others. Should you
experience sharp shoulder pain that doesn't improve on its own,
you should consult your physician.
The doctor will need a complete history of the injury and
description of the pain. After examining your shoulder for the
location of tenderness, range of motion and signs of weakness,
the doctor may order an x-ray or MRI.
If caught early, many injuries can be treated without surgery.
If indicated, the doctor will discuss the surgical options with
you. During surgery, the surgeon will shve the under surface of
the ocromion, remove damages tissue and small flaps, free up the
scarred area and fasten the torn tendon back to the bone. He may
also remove any bone spurs present in the shoulder area.
It is important to follow your recovery program. You will be
given pain medication and started on a rehabilitation program.
Total recovery usually takes 2 to 4 months. You may return to
work much sooner depending on the type of work you do.
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