Summer weather is perfect for enjoying the outdoors. Increased physical activity is great for mental, emotional, and physical health but has risks.
Injury-inducing sports include:
- Basketball
- Football
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Trail Running
- Volleyball
However, tripping over uneven surfaces and misstepping off a curb or in a stairwell can cause an injury as severe as you would find in athletes.
When injuries occur, take the necessary time to heal to avoid possible long-lasting complications.
Read on to learn how to treat common summer injuries.
Knee Injuries
Some knee injuries may take a couple of weeks to heal, while others can take months. Damage to the knee is often a result of:
- Overusing,
- Overstretching, and
- Hyperextending the joint.
Common knee injuries include meniscus tears and patella (kneecap) dislocation. Perhaps, the most infamous injury of them all is a torn ACL.
Complete ACL Tears (Anterior Cruciate Ligament)
The ACL is one of the four primary ligaments that hold the knee joint’s bones together, keeping the joint stable.
A complete tear of the ACL means you’ve torn the ligament in half or pulled it off the bone, effectively destabilizing the knee.
Non-Surgical Rehabilitation
Treatment for a complete tear begins with several weeks of rehabilitation via physical therapy. Your doctor may also instruct you to wear a knee brace and use crutches.
This rehabilitation may be enough for some people:
- Athletes who only participate in low-demand sports (e.g., jogging, swimming, cycling, etc.). And experience no instability symptoms during physical activity.
- People who participate in light manual work or live sedentary lifestyles.
Surgical Treatment
Reconstruction surgery is suggested for active adult patients and young children or adolescents.
- Significant functional instability.
- Combined injuries (e.g., tearing the ACL and MCL simultaneously).
Post-operative rehabilitation can be broken up into five phases that typically take about 6 – 12 months for a patient to complete. The purpose of this period is to:
- Reduce Swelling.
- Maintain Kneecap Mobility.
- Regain Full-Range of Motion.
- Strengthen the Hamstring and Quadriceps.
- Restore Balance and Control to the Injured Leg.
Acute Soft-Tissue Injuries
Most acute soft-tissue injuries are sprains, strains, or contusions resulting from sudden trauma (e.g., a fall, blow to the body, or twisting movement).
The damaged “soft tissue” includes:
- Ligaments,
- Muscles, and
- Tendons.
The initial treatment for all soft-tissue injuries is to follow the R.I.C.E protocol:
- Rest
- Ice
- Compression
- Elevation
Ankle sprains are particularly common.
Ankle Sprains
A sprain occurs when there is a stretch or tear of a ligament and is classified by its severity:
- Grade 1 – mild; slight stretching and damage to the ligament’s fibers.
- Grade 2 – moderate; a partial tear; abnormal joint looseness.
- Grade 3 – severe; a complete tear (see “Complete ACL Tears” above).
Almost all ankle sprains, even a complete tear, can heal without non-surgical treatment.
Ankle Sprain Treatment
Doctors create a treatment plan for all ankle sprains around a three-phase program.
Phase 1
- Duration: 1 week
- A short period of immobilization, rest, and ice.
Phase 2
- Duration: 1 – 2 weeks
- Physical therapy to restore strength, range of motion, and flexibility.
Phase 3
- Duration: weeks – months
- Slowly returning to low-demand activities and continuing maintenance exercises until cleared for high-demand activity.
- View: “Foot and Ankle Conditioning Program” from the AAOS (American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons).
We Can Treat Your Summer Foot & Ankle Injuries!
At The Foot & Ankle Center, we treat an extensive list of conditions, including:
- Sport Injuries
- Tendon Injuries and Tendinitis
- Ankle Sprains
We can help treat your summer injury and more! Request an appointment with one of our skilled podiatrists for the reliable care you need.