Symptoms
Heel pain and stiffness at the Achilles tendon. This gets worse with strenuous exercise but better with walking.
Short-term risk
Athletes often require 4 weeks out of all sports
Long-term risk
Will recover over time leaving slight weakness.
Sprained ankle
Cause
This often occurs if a performer is distracted and their running technique is disturbed or the performer has a muscle imbalance in the legs.
The muscles around the ankle providing it with support, will become sprained if over pronation occur.
Symptoms
It is often mixed up with a broken ankle, as the symptoms are the same as swelling occurs and pain is felt in the specified area. Professional medical help should be sought and they will assess the damage.
Short-term risk
The performer may be out of action for up to 12 weeks depending on the severity.
Long-term affect
The injury does not show signs of long-term effect but instead it feels worse than what it is.
An ankle sprain falls into three categories:
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Grade I - stretch and/or minor tear of the ligament without laxity (loosening) with little swelling and no instability. It is the most common and, if not neglected, the most minor. With a first-degree injury you can expect to be back to sports within a couple of weeks.
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Grade II - tear of ligament plus some laxity, the ankle usually swells immediately. There is bruising. A second-degree ankle sprain may require a 3 to 6 week rest before return to full activity.
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Grade III - complete tear of the affected ligament (very loose). It requires 8 to 12 weeks for the ligaments to heal and sometimes reconstructive surgery may prevent the secondary instability.
Hockey
Types of injuries
Most serious hockey injuries result from being struck by the stick or the ball.
Sprained Wrist
Cause
This often occurs if a performer has fallen to the ground. The first thing he or she would have done is put there hands out to support them.
The muscles around the wrist providing it with support, will become sprained.
Symptoms
It is often mixed up with a broken wrist, as the symptoms are the same as swelling occurs and pain is felt in the specified area. Professional medical help should be sought and they will assess the damage.
Short-term risk
The performer may be out of action for up to 10 weeks depending on the severity.
Long-term affect
The injury does not show signs of long-term effect but instead it feels worse than what it is.
Dental injuries
Infrequent, although the damage may be severe and is mostly irreversible.
Cause
Struck in the mouth or jaw with ball or stick
Symptoms
Pain to jaw or mouth area.
Bleeding from the mouth.
Cracked teeth
Short-term affect
Trauma
Pain
Long-term risk
Irreversible damage
Bruises
Cause
Opponent’s stick may strike a player.
Symptoms
Pain and discolouration to the affected area. Usually blue or purple.
Short-term affect
Pain to affected area. Will subside with ice treatment within 3 days depending on size and area.
Long-term affect
A bruise does not have any long-term effect to the body.
Golf
Bicep Tendonitis
Causes
This injury occurs if too much pressure is applied to the muscle for too long or if bad technique is used.
Symptoms
Shoulder Pain referred down anterior arm.
Short-term Risk
Out of action for 2 weeks while pain subsides. Then technique must be looked at by coach.
Long term risks
This particular tendonitis does not heal
Sprained Wrist
Cause
This often occurs if a performer has fallen to the ground. The first thing he or she would have done is put there hands out to support them.
The muscles around the wrist providing it with support, will become sprained.
Symptoms
It is often mixed up with a broken wrist, as the symptoms are the same as swelling occurs and pain is felt in the specified area. Professional medical help should be sought and they will assess the damage.
Short-term risk
The performer may be out of action for up to 10 weeks depending on the severity.
Long-term affect
The injury does not show signs of long-term effect but instead it feels worse than what it is.
Shoulder dislocation
Cause
This may occur with poor technique. If the performer applies full force into a swing with poor technique then this injury may occur.
Symptoms
If a dislocation occurs then sever pain and discomfort is felt in the shoulder area.
Short-term affect
Arm out of action. None weight bearing exercises for at least 12 weeks.
Long-term affect/risk
The recurrence rate for under 30’s is 50% this could be seen as a long term effect.
The injury could also be worse as there is a 50% risk of concurrent Rotator Cuff Rupture.
Bibliography
Class Notes
