Sports Injuries

Whether we’re watching them or playing them, people all over the world are passionate about sports. But while the thrill of an athletic competition is always exhilarating, injuries are unfortunately another aspect of being an athlete that we cannot avoid. Sports-related injuries are typically accidental, but by taking certain measures, we can hope to avoid them. Dr. Sophia Argeropoulos, your local Port Jefferson chiropractor, can offer the following information regarding these common sports injuries:

Torn Meniscus

Meniscus tears are unfortunately a highly common sports injury that occurs in the knees/lower body of the patient. The meniscus part of your knee is the cartilage that acts as a “shock absorber” in between your thighbone and shinbone. When this cartilage tears, it can lead to serious complications. A catalyst for the injury could be a situation in which the knee is forced to contort awkwardly, which could be triggered by a forceful motion such as a tackle in football. Most athletes may actually hear a “popping” sound when the tearing occurs, which is a clear warning sign. Other symptoms of a torn meniscus would include being unable to move your knee through its full range of motion and severe pain/swelling.

Sports Hernia

Another common injury, sports hernias (athletic pubalgia) can be very painful and tough to maintain. It’s a soft tissue injury that occurs in the groin area of the athlete. Sports that require sudden changes of movement and sharp cuts (football, soccer ex.) are more likely to give the patient a sports hernia. Unlike a traditional hernia, sports hernias typically affect the lower abdomen and groin area only. This soft tissue tear or stretch can consist of the muscles, tendons, or ligaments in the aforementioned areas.

Wrist Sprains

Sprains can occur in any part of the body that contains the strong band of tissues known as ligaments. But due to the many ligaments contained within the wrist, this makes a wrist sprain a highly common injury, especially for athletes. Typically, the injury occurs when the athlete is forced to bend their wrist forcefully. Wrist sprains can vary between mild and severe, with a grading range stemming from 1-3. Swelling/tenderness are normal symptoms, along with persistent pain that occurs when you move your wrist.

If you’re searching for a Port Jefferson chiropractor, contact Dr. Sophia Argeropoulos and schedule an appointment/consultation.