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It is critically important to apply ice and compression immediately after an injury. Studies show that recovery from an injury is directly related to how soon ice and compression are applied. More Ice Therapy facts »
Injury Prevention, Treatment Key For Adolescent Athletes
Category: Youth & Sports
Aug 22, 2006
By BEN MCCARTY
News staff writer
August 19, 2006
Every year, more than two million high school student-athletes are injured playing sports. Some injuries are relatively minor, but others can be catastrophic. Athletes can suffer everything from minor ankle sprains to ruptured Achilles tendons to concussions. While some injuries are inevitable, a majority are preventable if athletes make sure they are prepared.
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Athletes are often told or expected to play through pain. However, there is a difference between playing through pain and playing through soreness. Soreness is an expected part of physical activity, whereas pain can signal an injury that can become worse if it is ignored.
Some warning signs of a potentially serious injury may include joint pain, tenderness and swelling, reduced range of motion, and numbness and tingling. If ignored, a minor muscle, joint, bone or nerve injury could potentially become more serious and chronic.
Simmons said the best technique for making sure an injury does not become worse can be found in the acronym RICE, which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.
“Swelling has everything to do with when athletes recover,” Simmons said. If the swelling from an injury is taken care of soon after it happens it is easier determine the type of injury, and if surgery is needed it can be performed sooner. If the injury is not dealt with right away, more trouble could develop down the road, Simmons added.
In the end, every athlete should be aware of his or her own body, so that they can know when something is wrong. If they learn about the anatomy of their foot, they can find a properly fitting shoe. If they know that they have weaker ankles, they can find a brace for support, and they can find a warmup regimen to prepare their muscles for the rigors of competition.