Archbold Medical Center| Archives Magazine | Summer 2018

10 ARCHBOLD MEDICAL CENTER Athletes need to hold each stretch for about a minute, instead of 5 to 10 seconds. This helps their muscles maintain a proper length-tension relationship and prevents muscle strains, liga- ment sprains and avulsion injuries. “Using proper body mechanics and having strong core and proximal muscles also help with avoiding certain injuries,” said O’Neal. “However, it’s important to understand that some injuries are unavoidable, especially with contact sports.” If an athlete gets injured, they should immedi- ately tell a trainer or a coach. “Early detection is key when addressing a sports injury,” said O’Neal. “If an athlete continues to play with an injury, it can increase the severity of the injury or cause more injuries to occur.” Cory Messerschmidt, MD, orthopedic surgeon at Thomasville Orthopedic Center, said the most common sports-related injuries he sees are sprains and strains. “Sprains are the overstretching or tearing of ligaments, while strains are the overstretching or tearing of tendons and muscles,” he said. “These kinds of injuries can happen to almost any joint or muscle of the body.” But not all injuries are the same, and recovery can vary. “Recovery from an ankle sprain, one of the more common reasons for missing athletic participation, can differ based on the location and grade of the injury,” Dr. Messerschmidt said. “Usually, it ranges from one to six weeks.” Once an injury has happened, there will always be a risk for reinjury, whether the injury has been treated with or without surgery. “One of the main goals of rehabilitation following an injury is focused on minimizing the risk of reinjury in both the injured areas, as well as elsewhere throughout the body,” said Dr. Messerschmidt. “For example, if an athlete has suffered an ACL tear in the past and had sur- gery, there is an increased risk of re-tearing the ligament in the knee. However, there is also an increased risk of tearing the ACL in the opposite and uninjured knee.” Participation in a variety of sports should be encouraged in young athletes. It allows them to compete in different sports year-round, and the variety in different demands on the body allows them to recover quickly and reduces the risk of injury. “As the child grows and matures and athletic interests evolve, then gradual sports specialization can occur,” said Dr. Messerschmidt. “But still keep in mind that adequate rest is necessary. Remember, even professional athletes have an offseason.” Recognizing concussions Injuries during competition can be scary for both player and parents. One of the more frightening injuries is a concussion. Symptoms of a concussion include headache, nausea, vomiting, balance problems, dizziness, sensitivity to light and noise, visual problems, loss of consciousness, neck pain, memory problems, and drowsiness. “Seek immediate medical attention if you think your child has a concussion,” said Archbold emergency medicine physician Clark Connell, MD. “The quicker you seek medical attention, the quicker we can diagnose and create a recovery plan for your athlete.” Although each concussion is treated on an individual basis, there are guidelines and check- points that athletes must clear in order to return to play. “In general, athletes must have a medical clear- ance in order to start training again,” Connell said. “Then they would progress to light exercise and gradually increase back into full playing mode.” “Keeping athletes healthy and in the game is a process,” said Dr. Messerschmidt. “But it’s one that we are committed to doing.” Clark Connell, MD Emergency Medicine Physician Cory Messerschmidt, MD Orthopedic Surgeon — Continued from page 9