Injury prevention for our contact athletes

Football, lacrosse, basketball, soccer, rugby, boxing and hockey. They’re great sports that are just as much fun to watch as they are to play. As different as these sports may be, they all have one thing in common: they are considered contact — or collision —  sports and with that come a host of potential hazards.

“In collision sports, athletes purposely hit or collide with each other or with objects with great force,” says Dr. David Kovacevic, an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist with ColumbiaDoctors, the faculty practice of Columbia University Irving Medical Center, who practices at NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville. “Football and rugby, for example, require physical toughness and strength arguably more than any other sport — dedicated weight training programs, demanding pre-season workouts, and games that take place despite inclement weather. All of this ups the ante when it comes to bodily harm.”

Every parent’s current concern when it comes to contact sports, regardless of the age of their child, centers on injuries. Musculoskeletal conditions and injuries in children and adolescents can have long-lasting consequences on both their ability to function and overall quality of life.

In general, contact sports injuries fall into two general categories: traumatic and overuse. Traumatic injuries occur suddenly and the player can usually feel that something has gone wrong. Says Dr. Kovacevic, “There may be immediate signs of injury such as swelling, pain and bruising. They may not be able to put weight on the injured limb. The injury may be caused by external factors, such as a collision with another person, or by internal factors, such as a pulled muscle.” Examples of traumatic injuries include injuries of the shoulder, elbow and knee, strains and sprains, torn ligaments and tendons, fractures or broken bones, and concussions. Overuse injuries can affect the shoulder, elbow, hip and low back.

Steps for injury prevention

The goal is to keep our athletes in the game. The best way to do that is injury prevention. Says Dr. Kovacevic, “At NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence and Columbia Orthopedics, we have the athlete focus on neck strengthening as it has been found to reduce the risk for concussion in our high school athletes. In addition, our contact and collision athletes are counseled on the importance of strengthening and stabilizing several different muscle groups around the shoulder, including the rotator cuff, deltoid and shoulder blade muscles. This will help mitigate the risk of shoulder injury and shoulder dislocation. To reduce the risk of knee injury, we place a strong emphasis on the athlete engaging in proper technique during training sessions, including correct posture and body control, straight leg alignment, knee-over-toe position and soft landings. These concepts are reinforced by focusing on core and leg strengthening as well as balance and agility exercises.”  

In addition, athletes can help protect themselves by properly preparing before and after a game or practice session in the following ways:

1. Stretch: Stretching before and after a game keeps the body flexible, and that can cut down on overall injuries, particularly to the knee and ankle. Common stretching exercises include lunges, quad (thigh) and hamstring stretches, and knee-to-chest stretches.
2. Strengthen: Regular neck, shoulder and knee strengthening helps increase sports performance, overall body flexibility and reduces the incidence and/or severity of an injury.
3. Wear proper gear for your sport: In some cases, protective gear can prove to be the difference between life and death; and this is particularly true in high-impact collision sports, which usually involve wearing protective headgear due to the high risk of head injuries. In addition, many athletes wear knee, ankle, wrist and thigh supports that offer protection to joints that may have been weakened by a previous injury. Shoulder pads are worn in football to protect the shoulder during contact with other players and the ground, which help prevent dislocations and shoulder strains.
4. Stay hydrated: Proper hydration is essential for optimal sports performance, keeping important functions of the body working. Poor hydration can lead to fatigue, muscle cramps, lightheadedness and, over the course of time, weakened bones.

It may not always be possible to avoid injury when playing sports, especially physical contact sports. “Resuming play after treatment of injury is considered a critical part of the rehabilitation plan for patients,” says Dr. Kovacevic. “At NYP Lawrence, our team of orthopedic specialists have specialized training and extensive experience in managing sports injuries in athletes — such as ligament and meniscus tears, stress fractures, knee dislocations and more. Whether surgical or non-surgical care is required, our team is committed to getting patients back to their sport as quickly and safely as possible. In addition to treatment, we want to educate about injury prevention — teaching children, parents and coaches how to avoid sports injuries and keep young athletes out of the doctor’s office and on the field.”

To make an appointment with Dr. Kovacevic, call (914) 750-4630.

Visit nyp.org/lawrence for more information on our services or call 914-787-5000 to find a physician.