Basketball is one the most popular sports played in the U.S.

Achilles Tendinitis

Achilles tendonitis is an injury that occurs due to overuse of the Achilles tendon. Acute Achilles tendonitis can happen when an athlete increases his or her training suddenly. This type of tendonitis normally fades with rest and then can become chronic Achilles tendonitis. Chronic Achilles tendonitis can be caused by a variety of different reasons, such as increased activity, lowered recovery time, new footwear, or even weakened calf muscles.

Symptoms

o Pain behind the ankle increasing over time
o Pain at the beginning of exercise but disappearing slowly during the activity
o Achilles tendon is tender to touch

Treatment

o Rest and apply ice to injury
o Anti-inflammatory medication if necessary
o Sports massage or ultrasound

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for Achilles tendinitis will ensure a full and speedy recovery.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury

A torn ACL is a very common injury throughout all types of sports. The cause of most ACL tears is due to either a twisting of the knee or a traumatic blow to the outside of the knee joint. Women are actually more prone to ACL injuries although the reason behind their prevalence is unknown.

Symptoms

o A loud pop in the knee at the time of injury
o Swelling of the knee immediately after sustaining the injury
o Restriction of movement in the knee joint
o Extensive amounts of pain after the injury occurs

Treatment

o Pre-surgical rehabilitation
o Surgery required when necessary

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for ACL injuries will ensure a full recovery.

Patella Tendinitis (Jumper’s Knee)

Also known by many as jumpers knee, patella tendonitis is the result of the tendons and tissues, surrounding the knee, becoming inflamed and irritated. The most common activity to cause such damage is jumping, where it derives its name.

Symptoms

o Pain directly over the patellar tendon
o Pain with jumping or kneeling
o Swelling in the vicinity of the patella tendon

Treatment

o Ice the knee to reduce swelling and pain
o Strengthening of the quadriceps to help aid recovery

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for Patella Tendinitis will ensure your full recovery.

Posterior Cruciate ligament (PCL) Injury

An injury to the PCL is most commonly caused when the knee is bent and trauma is caused to it from the front. These injuries are graded similar to MCL and ACL injuries with the three separate levels. Most treatments for PCL injuries require rehabilitation.

Symptoms

o Pain during the time of impact
o Swelling in the area might occur
o Pain when PCL is placed under stress
o Joint instability, and feelings of knee buckling

Treatment

o Rest and Ice
o Crutches when necessary
o Possible physical therapy

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for PCL injuries will ensure a full recovery.

Rotator Cuff Injuries

Rotator cuff injuries are common throughout sports. They are normally due to overuse in overhead arm movement and can be quite painful. An aching pain can flare up when arms are used over the head or directly to the side of the body.

Symptoms

o Pain associated with arm movement especially overhead arm movement
o Pain in shoulder when slept on at night
o Tenderness over general area

Treatment

o Rest and ice are very important
o Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary
o Continuous movement of the arm with rest periods to avoid reduction of mobility

Prolonged Rotator Cuff inflammation may result into a tear. There are two kinds of Rotator Cuff Tears: Chronic and Acute.

Symptoms of Chronic Rotator Cuff Tear

o Occurs on dominant side
o Weakness throughout range of motion
o Eventual loss of mobility

Treatment of Chronic Rotator Cuff Tear

o Ice
o Steroid injection when necessary
o Shoulder exercises prescribed by physician

Symptoms of Acute Tear

o Sudden tearing feeling in shoulder
o Radiating pain down arm
o Limited mobility
o Tenderness in specific area of the Rotator Cuff
o Abduction of arm not possible

Treatment of Acute Tear

o Ice to reduce swelling
o Medications when necessary
o Surgery and Resting of arm in sling if necessary

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for Rotator Cuff inflammation will ensure your full recovery and avoid progression of inflammation into a chronic tear.

Ankle Sprain

When the foot is turned inward or inverted an athletes’ ankle can be sprained. This can be caused by running on non-leveled surfaces, or can be due to landing on non-flat surfaces during competition.

Symptoms

o Swelling in the ankle because of the gathering of fluid in the tissues
o Pain in the region of the ankle when standing
o Painful to touch ankle region or to move foot in certain directions
o Redness and warmth in ankle due to increased in blood in the region

Treatment

o R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate) method immediately
o Ultrasound and Laser treatment
o Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for ankle sprains will ensure a full and speedy recovery.

Hamstring Pull or Tear

Hamstring injuries are extremely painful and are rather common across all athletic activities. There are three separate levels, or grades of hamstring injuries.

Grade 1 injuries deal with mild tearing of the muscle tissues.
Grade 2 has moderate damage to the three muscle groups that make up the hamstring.
Grade 3 the most severe injury can deal with a total rupture of the hamstring muscle.

Symptoms

o Sudden sharp pain in the back of the leg
o Swelling and burning of hamstring muscle
o Grade 3 may leave a gap in the muscle group
o Pain with stretching or with resistance to movement

Treatment

o R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate) method
o Compression bandage
o Ultrasound and electrical stimulation
o Sports massage
o Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for hamstring pull or tear will ensure a full recovery.

Jammed Fingers

Strong impacts to the fingers can cause a joint to become swollen and cause extreme pain. These injuries need to be treated rather quickly in order to minimize the swelling and decrease the recovery time.

Symptoms

o Pain and swelling in joint
o Loss of motion of injured finger

Treatment

o Ice immediately after injury on 15 minute intervals
o Test movement after swelling subsides

If movement is restricted or painful consult an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for a jammed finger.

Meniscus Injuries

Medial Meniscus is a piece of cartilage that lies between the joints of the knee on the inside. On the outside is the lateral meniscus. Medial meniscus injuries are more likely to occur then lateral meniscus injuries. Medial meniscus injuries normally involve the same type of trauma as ACL injuries and often go hand in hand.

Twisting motions, while the feet are planted and impacts to the knee can all cause meniscus damage. There are also degenerative conditions where the meniscus tissue begins to fray causing damage and pain.

Symptoms

o Pain on the inner surface in the knee joint
o Swelling in or around the knee
o Lack of weight bearing strength
o Pain when knee is rotated

Treatment

o R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) method
o Electronic stimulation and ultrasound
o Manual therapy
o Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for Medial Meniscus injuries will ensure a full recovery.

Sprains and Strains

Sprains and strains involve the stretching or tearing of tissues. A sprain involves ligaments, which attach bone to bone and a strain involves either muscles or tendons. Tendons are the fibrous tissues that connect muscles to bone. Sprains or strains can occur in multiple parts of the body, but tend to be prevalent near the joints.

Symptoms

o Swelling and Bruising
o Pain in effected area
o Tenderness in or around effected area
o Numbness
o Not capable of weight bearing activities

Treatment

o R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) method
o Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for strains and sprains will ensure a full recovery.

Wrist sprain

Wrist sprain are common injuries, and normally are the result of falling and bracing the body for impact. When a wrist sprain occurs it stretches the ligaments of the wrist, causing pain and swelling.

Three different levels of wrist sprains can occur.
Grade 1 is a mild injury with minor stretching of the ligaments, but not tearing or fringing on the tissues.
Grade 2 involves partial tears or minor tears in the ligaments.
Grade 3 is a severe sprain normally resulting in complete tears of the ligaments in the wrist.

Symptoms

o Pain in wrist with movement
o Swelling in or around the joint
o Burning and warm sensation in the wrist

Treatment

o R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate) method
o Anti-inflammatory medications when necessary
o Bracing
o Immobilization

Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for wrist sprains will ensure a full recovery and minimal complications.