Sports Injuries

The semitendinosus, or ST, the semimembranosus, or SM, and the biceps femoris long and short heads (BFLH and BFSH) are part of the hamstring muscle group. They primarily function with the extension of the hip and flexion of the knee as well as providing multi-directional stability of the tibia and pelvis. These three muscles which make up the hamstring muscle group, cross the posterior aspect of both the hip and the knee joints, making them bi-articular. As a result, they are consistently responding to large mechanical forces created by upper limb, trunk and lower limb locomotion as a means of concentric and eccentric mobilization. During sporting activities, these forces will tend to increase, augmenting the frequency of injury.

In a study conducted at the University of Melbourne, biomechanical analysts measured the musculotendinous strain, velocity, force, power, work and other biomechanical loads experienced by the hamstrings throughout the course of over-ground sprinting and compared the biomechanical load across each individual hamstring muscle.

Basically, the hamstrings are subjected to a stretch-shortening cycle when sprinting, with the lengthening phase occurring during the terminal swing and the shortening phase commencing just before each foot strike, continuing throughout the stance. Then, the biomechanical load on the bi-articular hamstring muscles were determined to be stronger during the terminal swing.

BFLH had the greatest musculotendinous strain, ST displayed considerable musculotendinous lengthening velocity, and SM produced the highest musculotendinous force and both absorbed and generated the most musculotendinous power. Similar research also distinguished peak musculotendinous strain as a large contributor to eccentric muscle damage or injury, most commonly acute hamstring injuries, instead of peak muscle strength. This is why eccentric strengthening is often a rehabilitation recommendation for acute hamstring injuries.

The subscapularis begins on the anterior scapular, or subscapular fossa, and introduces onto the minor tuberosity of the humerus. It is the largest of the rotator cuff muscles and its cross-sectional area is larger than the other three rotator cuff muscles combined; the infraspinatus, the teres minor and the supraspinatus. The most essential functions of the glenohumeral joint are: depressor of the humeral head; anterior stabilizer of the humeral head, which means it glides the humeral head posteriorly relative to the glenoid fossa; and internal rotator of the shoulder together with the powerful pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi.

The tendon fibres combine with the anterior capsule of the shoulder, which serve to reinforce the anterior shoulder capsule. The muscle is considered to be less substantial as a shoulder internal rotator, as the pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi are powerful internal rotators, and it’s therefore more essential as a dynamic anterior stabilizer of the glenohumeral joint due to its action in preventing an anterior shear of the humeral head.

The subscapularis has a deep connection with the long head of the biceps. This is known as a capsuloligamentous complex that functions to stabilize the long head of the biceps tendon in the bicipital groove. The pulley complex is made up of the superior glenohumeral ligament, the coracohumeral ligament, and the distal attachment of the subscapularis tendon, where it is located within the rotator interval between the anterior edge of the supraspinatus tendon and the superior edge of the subscapularis tendon. Subscapularis tendon injuries may weaken the stability of the bicep. In order to maintain the biceps tendon stabilized and in place, support of the most superior insertion point of the subscapularis from behind the ligament and tension in the superior glenohumeral ligament is needed. Issues with a biceps sling is a common cause and effect of disease in many athletes, requiring the constant and effective rotation of the shoulder, just like the cocking position during baseball pitching.

Tendons are sturdy bands of connective tissue that function by connecting muscles to bones. These channel the force created by each individual muscle to move the bone. Because of this, they must be sufficiently powerful to endure the force which is conducted through them yet sufficiently flexible to act as pulleys around bony prominences.

Athletes who frequently overuse their muscles or as a result of direct trauma can develop a tendon injury. Of the 32 million musculoskeletal injuries documented in the United States annually, 45% of them are injuries to tendons, ligaments, or joint capsules. The most commonly injured tendons include the tendons of the rotator cuff of the shoulder, the Achilles tendon, patellar tendon, and the elbow extensor tendon. Several factors can place additional strain on the tendon and contribute to injuries caused by overuse, including: abnormal direction of pull due to skeletal misalignment; differences in limb lengths; muscle weakness or imbalances; hypermobile joints;
inflexible muscles;
training errors; and faulty or improperly fitted equipment and/or footwear.

Tendon injuries are believed to be difficult to treat as they were once historically thought of as an inflammatory condition, referred before to as tendonitis. Its treatment was therefore focused on reducing the inflammation through traditional anti-inflammatory medications and modalities and was extensively unsuccessful.

Running injuries can occur unexpectedly over a variety of reasons and situations. Once you’ve suffered an injury as a result of running, time and patience will be a key element towards recovery and it’s important to give your body the proper time to heal. Using over-the-counter medication for the symptoms of pain and cold therapy to reduce the inflammation around the injury, are all temporary ways to relieve an individual’s injury or condition. But, ultimately, chiropractic care can be a great treatment option for runners. Chiropractic treatment focuses on musculoskeletal injuries, or soft tissue injuries, which can help heal many types of injuries, symptoms and conditions as well. Runners can greatly benefit from chiropractic care.

As individual’s increase their cardiovascular activity, sprains and muscle strains on the surrounding tissues of the hamstrings, quadriceps, and calf muscles become several of the most common type of injuries. Back injuries also become more frequent during periods of higher activity. More severe types of injuries can often lead to muscle, tendon, or ligament tears as well as bone fractures. A successful exercise program provides a complete training routine which equally conditions different muscle groups while reducing the chance of injury. In addition, seeking chiropractic care and physical therapy to help during injury prevention can further maximize an individual’s performance.

Exercise related injuries mainly occur due to improper biomechanics. The improper movements of an individual’s structure during physical activities or sports are often the root cause of spinal misalignments and muscle imbalances. If the body is not moving or functioning the way it was designed to, it can place unnecessary pressure and stress on a single side of the body or an incorrect area of the body.

An injury and its associated symptoms, can tremendously reduce an individual’s ability to perform to their fullest capacity, ultimately altering an individual’s lifestyle. Regular chiropractic care and massage therapy can help diagnose and determine the source of your injury as well as help treat the injury and its symptoms. Combining chiropractic care along with physical exercise this summer can ultimately improve your fitness, health and wellbeing. 

A frozen shoulder can cause pain and discomfort, greatly restricting the range of motion of the shoulder and ultimately altering an individual's lifestyle. After treating the shoulder injury with ice to reduce the inflammation, seeking medical treatment from a chiropractor or physical therapist and following through with the recommended treatment options can help prevent shoulder stiffness and a frozen shoulder.

The iliotibial band, or IT band, is a ligament that begins at the pelvis, along the iliac crest, and travels down through the outside of the thigh from the hip to the shin. Most frequently caused by overuse from running sports and activities, knots can develop along the IT band and on the lower side of the leg, causing the ligament to become tight and inflamed, a condition known as iliotibial band syndrome. Once the IT band contracts and shortens, the affected individual can experience symptoms of hip pain, lower back pain, and most commonly, knee pain.

A chiropractor can both diagnose and help treat many spinal injuries and conditions, such as a possible spinal misalignment. In the majority of cases, if the spine and pelvis aren’t aligned or these aren't moving properly, the altered gait can cause muscle imbalances and may increase the chances of developing iliotibial band syndrome.

Having a strong core can also be essential for runners in order to avoid developing injuries. Exercises such as planks, side planks, and crunches should be a part of a runner’s daily exercise routine to strengthen the core.

The use of foam rollers can also help relieve symptoms of pain. In order to alleviate IT band syndrome, an individual has to loosen up the knots along the iliotibial band.

And last, improper footwear may also cause running complications. There are a variety of shoes specifically designed to make running easier and much more comfortable. By following the above recommendations, runners can alleviate their iliotibial band syndrome pain and symptoms and return to their regular running activities.

Apophyses are growth plates made up of cartilage that can be found throughout a child's body, functioning as attachment sites between muscles and tendons. 

When a young athlete participates in physical activities or sports where a specific set of muscles is constantly overused, such as the thigh muscles while running or jumping, the apophyses can weaken. The repetitive stretching of the apophysis can cause microscopic cracks in the cartilage growth plate, resulting in pain and inflammation. 

Sinding Larsen Johansson syndrome (SLJ) is a condition that occurs at the bottom of the kneecap due to the additional stress of the apophysis being repetitively stretched during physical activities or sports. This condition can also occur from a direct, blow, fall, or one sudden jump. 

A fracture of your arm bone near the shoulder may require physical therapy to help improve normal arm function.

A proximal humeral fracture is a type of injury that results near the shoulder joint. "Proximal" reffers to being close to the body and "humeral" refers to the arm bone known as the humerus.

A fracture to the proximal humerus is typically causes due to significant trauma from an injury to the arm or shoulder. Falling on to the outstretched hand, a forceful pull to the arm or shoulder, and falling on to the side or shoulder are several situations that could cause fracture to the shoulder joint. These are the most common causes for bone injury but are not limited to these. 

The shoulder consists of three bones which come together to form the joint: the humerus (the arm bone), the clavicle or collarbone, and the scapula at the glenoid (the shoulder blade). When an individual sustains a shoulder fracture, any of these three bones may be damaged or injured.

The majority of people who suffer from a fractured shoulder are diagnosed with a fracture of the proximal humerus. A proximal humerus fracture is an injury to the top of the humerus, or arm bone, which forms the ball of the ball-and-socket shoulder joint. Determining the appropriate treatment for the type of injury depends on the specific injury. 

When a single or multiple of any of the four shoulder muscles that make up the rotator cuff undergo excessive use, the tendons that attach these to the humerus bone of the uppar arm can become damaged. The tendon is naturally designed to be elastic to help the function of the muscles but, if these are stretched beyong their natural range, the fibrous tissue may give away. 

Shoulder tendonitis can occur after injury from a single case of extreme motion or may occur from progressive, repetitive stress that eventually leads to tendon degeneration. The tendon will then become irritation, causing inflammation and swelling. 

Shoulder bursitis is a medical condition where the fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between the bones and tendons in the shoulder become inflamed. This condition is caused by various factors, such as sport injuries or occupational and accident-related injuries. Aging has also been known to be a cause for developing the condition.

Symptoms for shoulder bursitis frequently include mild pain and loss of strength but if left untreated, this condition may become more severe and the symptoms could worsen.

The labrum increases the surface area of the acetabulum by 22 percent while it increases the volume by 33 percent, functioning accordingly to fasten the head of the femur while allowing it to rotate. From a cross-sectional view, the labrum is triangular in shape with an extra articular area of thick connective tissue which contains a rich supply of blood while the intra articular area majorly has no blood supply.

When the hip’s normal range of mobility extends beyond its limit, the labrum is stressed by a strong, compressive force and a tear at his point can ultimately affect the stability of the joint and distribution of weight or load. Furthermore, the labrum is considered a pain generating structure as numerous pain receptors are located in its superior and anterior regions. It is at the anterior surface where an ALT is most vulnerable to pressure along the end point of hip flexion. On another note, abnormal alterations within the structure, such as retroverted acetabulum and coxa valga, have been simultaneously recorded in up to 87 percent of individuals with labral tears.  

Due to the nature of lateral ankle sprains, once an individual has experienced an injury, there’s a high probability that another injury can occur. This is because damage or injury to the ligaments and joint capsules within the ankle can impair the structures ability to function appropriately. Along with any deficits in proprioception, this can often result in a high re-injury rate. Indeed, research has demonstrated that 73 percent of individuals who sprain their ankles are most likely to experience recurrent ankle injuries in the future.

The most frequent factor behind a majority of ankle sprains is when a single extremity lands on an uneven surface. During this case, a quick and joined ankle plantar flexion and inversion motion can often result in an extreme lateral movement which can lead to ankle sprains. Another factor that can influence the chance of lateral ankle sprains is proprioception, or an individual’s own neuromuscular control. With the necessary proprioception, an athlete may be able to accurately determine the speed and force of a disturbance of motion in order to be able to subsequently react with an appropriate joint and muscle motion to avoid injury. However, because there’s always a chance the athlete may be surrounded by uneven terrain, even an individual with excellent proprioceptive skills can suffer harm. Moreover, the evidence for the role of proprioceptive factors in preventing ankle sprains is still unclear.

During jumping sports where great amounts of stress are suddenly placed on the lower extremities of the body, patellar tendinopathy, best known as jumper’s knee, can be a frequently reported type of injury. Patellar tendinopathy, or PT, ultimately alters an athlete’s overall performance, affecting their capacity to jump, land, run and change direction. While their decline in performance can lead to decreased training tolerance, the symptoms associated with the condition also often results in missed training days and competition for a majority of athletes.

For those individuals diagnosed with PT, managing the condition can be very challenging, especially for athletes during the competition phase of a season. Because increased amounts of force are constantly being placed against the tendon, patellar tendinopathy may commonly require many treatment sessions before it can truly begin to heal. It’s essential to be patient during the rehabilitation process to achieve a full recovery.

Taking this into consideration, several guidelines may be followed in order to properly formulate a rehabilitation program to restore the original state of the individual’s patella tendon and help athletes return to their regular training routines as soon as possible.

Weightlifting is a common type of sport or physical activity many individuals prefer for strengthening their upper body muscles but weightlifting also commonly results in injury. By following a few safety tips, you can prevent hurting yourself while weightlifting to continue training your body effectively.

The most popular weight lifting routines today mainly focus on completing a workout within a limited amount of time. Using a fixed group of exercises, the point of this type of workout is to complete the routines as quickly as each person is individually able to. Focusing on speed during an exercise or physical activity can be a major factor for potential injury. Training is about working out accordingly at the most appropriate tempo for each weight and lift. Slowing down the tempo while weight lifting will help increase the amount of energy an individual has to finish a lift. Additionally, taking a sufficient amount of time for rest in between sets can help prepare an individual both mentally and physically for the next exercise.

Then, when considering safety measures for injury prevention, an individual should note that their exercise routines for weight lifting should include lifts that strengthen and both the front and back sides of the body. Balancing exercises for the entire body will help strengthen the various muscles of the body as well as avoid overusing and underusing other muscle groups and risk an injury.

Most importantly, in order to avoid injury, an individual should never sacrifice form while lifting. Performing each lift with correct form is the best way to avoid an injury. Lifting weights that are heavier than an individual’s normal lifting weight, lifting the weights rapidly, or simply being unfamiliar with the proper way to lift, are all ways that compromise form and could cause an injury.

A sprain is medically defined as a stretch or tear of the ligaments, the strong cords of fibrous tissue which connect two bones together at the joints. Sprains most commonly occur on areas of the body which can be injured during a fall or sudden twisting motion, such as the ankle. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, approximately 2 million ankle sprains alone occur each year. An incorrect fall or abrupt twist usually causes a sprain because the unusual movement can force a joint into an abnormal position that may wind up stretching or tearing the ligament. Ankles, wrists, knees, and fingers are all frequently sprained areas of the body.

 A strain is medically defined as a stretch or tear of the muscle or tendon. A tendon is a fibrous band of tissue that connects the muscles to bones. Strains most commonly occur on the lower back and on the hamstring muscle located on the posterior side of the thigh, most commonly as a result of overexertion, trauma, or repetitive movements. Strains most frequently occur on the back, hamstring, and even the shoulder, because these areas are greatly mobile and highly used during strenuous physical activity, leading to a stretch or tear of a single, or multiple, muscle and tendon due to overuse.

Although sprains and strains significantly differ from each other, these do share several similarities, which is the main reason individuals generally confuse the two conditions.

 Both sprains and strains include symptoms of pain, swelling, and limited mobility around the region of the injury. The symptoms can range from moderate to intense, according to the injury’s level of severity. Individual’s who’ve suffered an injury and are experiencing these symptoms can temporarily relieve their pain and discomfort using ice therapy to reduce the inflammation around the affected area as well as getting plenty of rest and elevation.

Many athletes, specifically running athletes, frequently seek chiropractic treatment for iliotibial band syndrome. These individuals often describe feeling radiating pain that begins on the outside of their knee that extends throughout their thighs, hips, and even their lower back.

The iliotibial band, or the IT band, is a cord of connective tissue that starts at the side ridge of the pelvis, or the ilium, and travels down the side of the leg, attaching into the weight bearing bone of the lower leg, or the tibia, located near the knee.

IT band syndrome is a very common condition occurring in runners and cyclists. This condition frequently results from any activity that causes the leg to turn inward repeatedly. Wearing improper or worn-out shoes, running downhill and constantly in the same direction, or simply from running too many miles, iliotibial band syndrome is an injury caused by overuse where constant rubbing between the band and the bone irritates the tissue and causes inflammation.

Through spinal adjustments and manual manipulation, the chiropractor can restore the natural alignment of the spine, gradually improving the individual’s IT band syndrome and its symptoms as well as the runner’s gait and running posture to prevent further complications.

Back injuries and its associated symptoms of pain occur frequently in athletes who perform weight lifting. There is a higher risk of injury when using heavy weights during exercise, especially with dead lifts and squats, but cutting the amount of weight individuals use in their work-out routines can help ultimately avoid injury.

The first step to prevent back injury and pain is to begin cutting the weight an individual is normally capable of doing by 3. For example, if you’re capable of doing squats in a Smith cage with 100lbs, you can cut the weight to 30lbs.

When it comes to dead lifts, the same system can be used. An individual who normally dead lifts using 60lbs can cut the weight to 15lbs and only use one-legged dead lifts. Balance while performing these can be a challenge but after the body begins to accommodate to the altered exercise, the muscles can benefit greatly.

Decreasing or not using weight or decreasing the amount of repetitions a person uses during their set can help avoid injury.

Children between the ages of 9 and 15 are most commonly diagnosed with Osgood-Schlatter disease. Osgood-Schlatter disease is a condition which occurs when the patellar tendon, the tendon over the kneecap just below the knee and on the tibia or shin-bone, pulls on the growth plate of the bone. As a result, the region becomes inflamed, swollen, tender, and painful while participating in physical activities.

But, as with many other conditions, stretches, exercises, and other measures can be used to treat Osgood-Schlatter disease and alleviate the symptoms associated with the condition. 

The humerus, or arm bone, extends from the shoulder to the elbow joint, helping position the hand during daily activities such as eating. A break to this lengthy bone in the upper arm requires medical attention. Treating a fractured humerus most commonly involves immobilization through the use of a collar and cuff or a cast for about six to eight weeks, depending on the severity of the fracture. Following recovery from a broken shoulder involves physical therapy exercises to help regain the shoulder joints natural range of motion, strength, and normal functioning in the arm and shoulder. 

The majority of treatments for a broken shoulder include more passive types of remedies, such as alleviating the symptoms rather than resorting to surgical repair. Because most clavicle or collarbone fractures involve clean breaks, often times these type of injuries can mend on their own with the proper care and patience. 

According to the Cleveland Clinic, less than 20 percent of shoulder fractures will require manipulation or surgery to set the bones in the proper position for healing. Thus, for the remaining percentage of broken shoulder injuries, getting plenty of rest, using ice therapy, immobilizing the shoulder and in some cases mild use of pain relief medication can help heal a broken shoulder. 

Tendons are the fibrous band-like tissues that connect the muscle to bone. Tendonitis, or the inflammation and swelling of a tendon due to irritation, causes symptoms of pain and tenderness, restricting joint motion and creating muscle fatigue. Injury from an accident or repetitive overuse is the most common cause for tendonitis in the shoulder but recently, poor posture has been linked to being a risk factor for musculoskeletal pain.

Bad posture, such as slouching, pulls the shoulders forward. Correcting poor upper body posture can avoid and alleviate the pain and limited function associated with shoulder tendonitis. 

What is tendonitis, what causes tendonitis, and how is it treated in physcial therapy?

Tendonitis is used to describe inflammation, swelling, and irritation of a tendon. Tendonitis is a painful condition that is felt where the tendon attaches to the bone or along the length of a tendon near the point the muscle and tendon come together.

 Tendons are fibrous bands of tissue that attach the muscle to the bone. Every muscle in the body has a tendon that attaches to the bone. When these structures are irritated, such as the tendons in the rotator cuff located in the shoulder, they can swell and become inflammed causing tendonitis in different areas of the body.