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Sports First Aid How to Handle Injuries

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 If your pain progressively increases with activity (what sports medicine doctors call an "upward crescendo") and causes swelling, limping, or loss of range of motion, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible.  What kinds of pain should you be on the lookout for? Any injury that results in swelling, numbness, intense pain or tenderness, stiffness, or loss of flexibility should be taken seriously.  You should also know the difference between soreness and chronic pain. Soreness is temporary, but chronic pain continues over a greater length of time. For example, it's not always necessary to see a doctor right away if your shoulder is sore, but you should schedule an appointment if the pain is worsening at any time or if it persists for a week or more. You should also see a doctor if your pain progresses from happening only after playing to happening during sports or if you notice it when you wake up or are doing daily activities.  The most important thing to do when you suspect you are injured is to stop doing whatever sport has caused the injury right away and go see a doctor. For more severe or complicated injuries, it may be best to see a doctor who specializes in sports medicine.  The doctor will examine your injury and use diagnostic tools such as X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine the extent of your injury. MRI allows doctors to see soft tissues more clearly than X-rays or CT scans do.  Once the doctor knows the full extent of your injury, he or she usually will start with conservative treatment techniques such as rest and ice to help decrease swelling. Pain relief and anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen (like Advil or Motrin) may be prescribed. Splints, casts, and surgery also may be needed, depending on the injury.  One of three things will happen next. Your doctor may:  Sports medicine doctors won't let you play if you are at risk for getting another injury or aggravating an injury you are recovering from.  If your doctor has asked you to stop playing, your #1 question is probably "When can I play sports again?" This depends on your specific injury, so make sure you discuss this with your doctor. There are things you can do while injured to stay fit without making your injury worse — but make sure you check with your doctor first. These activities are known as cross training, and they include using stationary cycles, swimming, water therapy, and rowing machines.
 * 1)  that you play and use a protective device (a knee brace or wrist guard, for example)
 * 2)  that you undergo rehabilitation (physical therapy)
 * 3)  recommend that you not play while you heal

Your rehabilitation program will also help you stay fit as you recover. Rehabilitation, or rehab, is the process that gets you back in shape and ready for action again. Rehab may be part of your treatment program and can include exercise, manual therapy from a physical therapist (a specialist who is trained to help you recover from a sports injury), and technology such as ultrasound. Ultrasound equipment is used to heat the injured area. This heat relieves pain, promotes healing, and increases your range of motion.   

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