Muscle & Connective Tissue Injuries
Muscle and connective tissue injuries include sprains and strains, which are the most common injuries for people engaged in physical sports. A sprain is an injury of a ligament, which connects our bones to each other. A strain is an injury that can occur to a muscle or a tendon, which connects our bones to our muscles. If you have a muscle or connective tissue injury, you will likely experience pain, swelling, and limited movement of that body part. Sometimes these injuries are evident as soon as they occur, while others take time to develop. Usually rest helps to heal the area, and ice can reduce swelling. If these remedies dont help you, physical therapy or surgery may be necessary for a full recovery.
Recently Answered
- Q Are ACL injuries more prevalent in male or female athletes?
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We see ACL injuries in sports where there is a lot of cutting and pivoting, like soccer and basketball. We often times think about it in males, but it’s actually a much more common in our young female athletes. In pure numbers, because more boys... Full Answer
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- Q How do I know if I have injured my anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)?
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An ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) sprain is characterized by a pop associated with feeling the knee joint slide followed by inability to walk normally, swelling of the knee joint, fluid buildup around the knee, difficulty straightening the knee, pain... Full Answer
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- Q Is there an injury that gets more attention than others?
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One of the injured ligaments that gets a lot of attention is the anterior cruciate or ACL. You hear a lot about ACL as this is one of those injuries that is a season ender because this ligament is very important for controlling rotation of the knee. It... Full Answer
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- Q How long does an ACL injury usually take to heal?
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The procedure as well as the healing and recovery time takes anywhere from 6-10 months. That’s why it is one of the most feared injuries in sports. When athletes at any level, particularly at the college or professional level have this injury, they... Full Answer
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- Q Are there more ACL injuries in football than any other sports?
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Yes, football is one of the leading causes of ACL injuries but the interesting aspect of that is, ACL injuries is not actually a non-contact injury. It is a result of a cut in a weird way and many times the athlete isn’t even hit and they tear... Full Answer
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- Q What can I do to manage my anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries?
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If you have an acute (sudden) anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, use the following first aid steps to reduce pain and swelling: Rest and reduce your activity level. If it hurts to put weight on your knee, use crutches until you can see your... Full Answer
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- Q How is a lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury treated?
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Treatment of a lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury will depend on the extent of the injury and whether other structures have been injured as well. Initial treatment for milder injuries may include rest, ultrasound or laser therapy, massage and... Full Answer
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- Q How is a medial collateral ligament (MCL) tear treated?
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Treatment of a medial collateral ligament (MCL) tear depends on the severity of the injury. The doctor may prescribe crutches and a brace to prevent you from putting weight on your knee. Surgery is often not needed when only the MCL has been torn. If you... Full Answer
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- Q How is a posterior cruciate ligament injury treated?
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Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tears tend to be partial tears with the potential to heal on their own. However, your doctor may recommend surgery if you have combined injuries. For example, if you have dislocated your knee and torn multiple ligaments... Full Answer
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- Q What causes a lateral collateral ligament (LCL) tear?
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Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) tears are frequently seen in contact sports or sports requiring rapid changes in direction. These include football, lacrosse, basketball and downhill skiing. Injury often occurs from a twisting movement while... Full Answer
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