Common injuries

Question 1

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear

Answer 1

• causes: plant and twist motion of the foot and knee
• sx: pain, swelling, knee buckling
• dx: physical exam, radiographic confirmation (typically MRI)
• tx: RICE, surigcal repair, allograft, PT

Question 2

Concussion

Answer 2

• causes: head impact
• sx: nausea, loss of balance, disorientation, headache
• dx: physical exam, neurologic testing, CT of the brain
• tx: rest, treatment of sympyoms

Question 3

Muscle strain

Answer 3

• causes: overexertion of a muscle not properly warmed up for activity level
• sx: pain, swelling, “tight” feeling
• dx: physical exam, MRI
• tx: RICE, avoiding physical strain to the area

Question 4

Epicondylitis

Answer 4

• causes: overuse of elbow causing tiny ligament tears
• sx: swelling, tenderness, grip weakness
• dx: physical exam, xray, MRI
• tx: rest, ice NSAIDs, forearm strap, extended break from aggravating activity

Question 5

Rotator cuff tear

Answer 5

• causes: repetitive stress of the shoulder joint
• sx: pain, weakness, inability to raise arm over head
• dx: physical exam, xray, MRI
• tx: rest, NSAIDs, cortisone injection to shoulder joint, surgery

Question 6

Bone fracture

Answer 6

• causes: impact injury resulting in bone cracking/breaking, stress fractures: overuse/repetitive stress
• sx: pain, swelling, loss of function
• dx: physical exam, xray, CT if plain films are not clear
• tx: immobilization with internal/external device (cast, splint, pins, plates, screws)

Question 7

Joint dislocation (subluxations)

Answer 7

• causes: impact injury removing bones from proper joint alignment
• sx: pain, loss of sensation, immoblity
• dx: physical exam, xray, MRI, CT
• tx: realignment of bones, immobilizstion, PT to strengthen surrounding muscles, surgery for reapted incidences