The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) connects the thigh bone to the shinbone within the knee. An injury to the ACL can cause severe knee pain, instability, and a reduced range of motion.
Sports that involve sudden pivots, changes in direction, or changes in speed can strain, tear, or fully rupture the ACL. This places sports such as basketball, soccer, football, and skiing at a higher risk for this injury. An ACL strain or tear can also occur due to a direct collision against the outside of the knee, or a bad landing from a fall or jump.
Another injury within the knee, a meniscus tear is an injury to one or both of the C-shaped pieces of cartilage located between the thigh bone and shinbone in each knee. This injury tends to occur following a severe twisting motion during activity.
Symptoms of a meniscus tear can be similar to those of an ACL injury: knee pain, limited range of motion, and instability.
While ankle sprains are very common, it is also possible to sprain your toe. The big toe most commonly experiences this painful injury – so much that it has been given its own name: turf toe.
Turf toe occurs when the big toe becomes hyperextended. This usually happens when the foot is firmly planted against the ground, but a large force sends the toe upward.
We most frequently see this injury in sports where cleats can become “locked” against turf (hence the name). The victim can try to push off the ground too hard with their cleats not cooperating, or they may be tackled in a way that forces their toe to bend.
What to Do for a Child’s Sports Injury
A sports injury can occur suddenly, or “creep up” over time due to overuse. Regardless of the circumstances, the best action to take when realizing there’s a problem is to stop the current activity, if one is going on. The more your child moves aggravates the injury, the greater the risk of further trouble.
Begin RICE therapy as promptly as possible. RICE stands for:
- Rest. Keep weight and strain off the affected area.
- Ice. Apply ice or a cold pack (always wrapped in a thin towel to avoid skin damage) to the injured area for 10-20 minutes, several times per day.
- Compression. Wrap the injured area with an elastic bandage, making sure not to constrict circulation. Skip this part if you are not confident in your wrapping skills.
- Elevation. Keep the injured area at or above the level of the heart whenever sitting or lying down, if possible.
When conducted within the first 48 hours, RICE therapy can have a significant impact on reducing pain and swelling.
If the condition is severe or has not improved much within a day or two, please give us a call. We can provide you with further advice or ask you to bring your child in for an evaluation.
We are always happy to help you and your family, no matter the situation. You never have to hesitate or ask yourself whether a problem is “too minor,” either. In fact, we wish more people would contact us sooner, before things become worse!
Schedule an appointment with us by calling (916) 961-3434 or texting (279) 800-4542. You can also fill out our online contact form!