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| Head |
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| Chest |
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 | Shoulder |
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| Hand, Arm, and Elbow |
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| Back |
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| Buttocks |
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| Hip/Torso |
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| Thigh/Knee |
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| Shin |
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| Heel, Foot, and Ankle |
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The purpose of the following is to provide the reader with information regarding treatment of minor medical issues. The purpose is not to provide medical advice and is not meant to circumvent the need for diagnosis and treatment of medical problems by trained medical professionals. Many more serious medical problems may only be capable of diagnosis by these trained professionals.
Cause: A clavicle fracture is the result of trauma, typically a fall or a blow to the shoulder. These fractures are most often seen in football, rugby, and hockey players.
Prevention: Shoulder pads should always be worn during contact sports. This is especially important for football, lacrosse, and hockey players.
Treatment: If you believe that you may have a clavicle fracture, seek medical attention as quickly as possible. The doctor will most likely request that you wear a sling for one or two months. In order to ease the pain, apply an ice pack that is wrapped in a towel to the area. You may also take nonprescription medicine such as Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, or Aspirin. Make sure to follow the directions on the bottle and check with your doctor before taking any new medications.
Imaging: Radiographs usually demonstrate the fracture.
Cause: A fracture of the neck of the humerus can be caused when an athlete suffers a direct blow to the shoulder or falls on his or her outstretched hand. This type of injury is most common in contact sports such as football and hockey.
Prevention: Always use protective padding when participating in contact sports. Develop and stick to a strength and conditioning program. By increasing muscle mass, you also protect your bones and tissue.
Treatment: If you believe you may have a neck of the humerus fracture, seek immediate medical attention. A severe fracture may require an operation. A fracture that is not severe will often be treated with an arm sling and will heal quickly.
Imaging: Radiographs usually demonstrate the fracture. CT may be done for further evaluation of the fracture details.
Cause: The AC joint can be dislocated when an athlete suffers a fall or blow to the shoulder. This type of dislocation is most common in football, rugby, hockey, and wrestling. Quarterbacks often experience this injury when they are sacked and the opponent lands on top of them.
Prevention: Shoulder pads should always be worn during contact sports. This is especially important for football and hockey players.
Treatment: In order to ease the pain and decrease swelling, apply an ice pack that is wrapped in a towel to the area. You may also take nonprescription medicine such as Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, or Aspirin. Make sure to follow the directions on the bottle and check with your doctor before taking any new medications. A sling should most likely be used to support the arm and prevent further injury. In more severe cases, physical therapy and/or surgery may be needed so contact your doctor if your symptoms don't improve.
Imaging: Radiographs of the injured side with possible comparison radiographs of the opposite side and weight-bearing views may be obtained. MRI may be done to evaluate for a ligament or joint capsule injury.
Cause: The shoulder can be dislocated when an athlete suffers a fall or blow to the shoulder. This type of dislocation is most common in contact sports and sports where there are a lot of falls, including football, rock climbing, soccer, skiing, and volleyball.
Prevention: Shoulder pads should always be worn during contact sports. If you have had a previous shoulder injury, make sure to ice your shoulder after participating in any sport. Stretch on a daily basis and cease your physical activity as soon as shoulder pain begins.
Treatment: If you have a dislocated shoulder, seek medical attention immediately so that your doctor can return your shoulder to its proper position. After the shoulder is repositioned, you will most likely be able to treat the injury at home. In order to ease the pain and decrease swelling, apply an ice pack that is wrapped in a towel to the area. You may also take nonprescription medicine such as Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, or Aspirin. Make sure to follow the directions on the bottle and check with your doctor before taking any new medications. A sling should most likely be used to support the arm and prevent further injury. If the pain does not cease, surgery may be needed so contact your doctor if your symptoms don't improve.
Imaging: Radiographs will show the dislocation. MRI may be done to evaluate for injury to any soft tissues that may have occurred at time of dislocation (i.e. labral tear).
Cause: A rotator cuff tear is an overuse injury that is caused when the tendon is consistently placed under stress and small tears form. Pitchers and tennis players are especially prone to rotator cuff tears.
Prevention: Develop a daily stretching and strength training routine. See a medical specialist to determine what exercise program is right for you. If the pain does not subside or if you experience other symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
Treatment: Put an ice pack on the sore area and take anti-inflammatory medicine such as Advil, Aleve, or Motrin to reduce inflammation. Make sure to follow the directions on the bottle and check with your doctor before taking any new medications. Do gentle exercises to increase mobility, as recommended by your physician. If the pain does not cease, physical therapy or surgery may be needed so contact your doctor if your symptoms don't improve.
Imaging: Radiographs will likely be ordered initially to evaluate for any osseous abnormalities. MRI is the study of choice to evaluate for a rotator cuff tear.
Cause: A labral tear can occur during a shoulder dislocation or when an athlete falls on an outstretched arm. Labral tears are most common in contact sports and sports where there are a lot of falls, including football, rock climbing, soccer, skiing, and volleyball.
Prevention: Shoulder pads should always be worn during contact sports. If you have had a previous shoulder injury, make sure to ice your shoulder after participating in any sport. Stretch on a daily basis and cease your physical activity as soon as shoulder pain begins.
Treatment: In order to ease the pain and decrease swelling, apply an ice pack that is wrapped in a towel to the area. You may also take nonprescription medicine such as Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, or Aspirin. Make sure to follow the directions on the bottle and check with your doctor before taking any new medications. Talk to a medical professional to develop a stretching and strengthening routine. If the pain does not cease, surgery may be needed so contact your doctor if your symptoms don't improve.
Imaging: MRI or MR arthrogram (an MRI after having contrast injected into the joint space) are the studies of choice to evaluate for a labral tear
