By: Jerry Moczerniuk PT, DPT
Fall High School sports are by now in full swing and so are the injuries. In 2016, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality released a statistical brief (No. 207) evaluating Sports Related Emergency Department Visits in the United States in 2013.
“In 2013, 71.8 percent of sports-related emergency room visits were associated with one of three general types of sports activities: team or group sports (such as football, baseball, basketball and soccer), individual sports, and walking and running.”
Sprains and strains treated in the emergency department and discharged, accounted for 24-40 percent of all injuries. In many of those cases, after the discharge from the emergency department, patients were likely referred to their primary care physician or orthopedist. This process is costly and time consuming, often times significantly delaying a safe and speedy return to sport or recreational activity.
Recommendations for management of sprains and strains have changed over the years. From immobilization, to RICE (rest, ice, compress, elevate), NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) recommendations, to doing absolutely nothing. In practice, most lesser sprain/strain injuries respond favorably to early inflammation management and mobility, preventing secondary impairments such as stiffness, weakness and prolonged inflammation.
Proper management of inflammation early is important because it can significantly shorten the recovery time, can minimize the likely hood of the patient having long term impairments, and facilitate speedier/safe return to sport.
Similarly, early movement in limited (pain free) range of motion (ROM) is also critical to help with blood circulation to the affected area, and prevention of disuse atrophy. In higher grade sprains and strains, an orthopedic evaluation may be required for less conservative treatment, but early management of swelling and pain free ROM may also be helpful to facilitate the healing process.
A skilled Physical Therapist should be considered a great first contact in evaluation and treatment of such sprains/strains. In our clinic, same day appointments are often available, providing a timely evaluation and immediate treatment for all sprains/strains. During the evaluation, a Physical Therapist will determine the appropriateness of care. If the condition is out of our scope of practice, appropriate referral will be made. Remember, in New Jersey, you can be evaluated and treated by a Physical Therapist without a referral from your doctor.
Dr. Moczerniuk is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, member of American Physical Therapy Association, and a Clinical Director at db Orthopedic Physical Therapy of Manalapan LLC, located at 120 Craig Road Suite 2. Dr. Moczerniuk can be reached at 732-462-2162 or via e-mail at Jerry@dborthopt.com. You can also find out more about our practice at dborthopt.com.
