[By Imran Akhtar, DO, St. Peter’s Orthopedics, St. Peter’s Health Partners Medical Associates.]
If you are a sports or exercise enthusiast who enjoys the summer sun and heat, this is your time of year! Whether you’re hitting the trails for hiking or running, gearing up for a long bicycle ride, or picking up on the latest pickleball craze, summer sports are in full gear.
But, while engaging in these activities is a terrific way to stay healthy and enjoy time with friends and family, sometimes that fun comes with the occasional mishap or injury.
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the most common summer sports injuries include sprains, strains, tears and fractures. These various pains can be brought on from a variety of activities, including:
- Rolled ankles from playing basketball or running
- ACL tears from an awkward pivot playing soccer
- Worn rotator cuffs from swimming, softball or pickleball
- Fractured collarbones and wrists from a cycling or skating mishap
Many injuries can be prevented by following this advice:
- Warm up before playing. Cold muscles, tendons, and ligaments are vulnerable to injury.
- Have the right gear. That means properly fitting helmets, bicycles, skates and other equipment. Check your items before each use for wear and tear.
- Know your abilities. Learn how to fall correctly and safely to reduce the risk of injury when the unexpected happens.
- If you are tired or feel pain, stop the activity.
- Be mindful of heat advisories and stay hydrated; heat stroke and heat exhaustion make you more vulnerable to injury.
If you have experienced a sports injury, proper evaluation, therapy, and possibly surgery may be needed to help relieve pain and return safely to the activity you love.
The right orthopedic program stays with you through every phase of your journey – from rehab to long-term follow up care – so you feel confident and supported every step of the way. If your condition calls for more specialized care, your team should have the resources to connect you directly with trusted experts for seamless, coordinated support.
St. Peter’s Orthopedics, a practice of St. Peter’s Health Partners Medical Associates, recently opened its doors at 1182 Troy-Schenectady Road, Suite 100, in Latham. The location is the new go-to for joint pain and injury, with on-site imaging, expert care, and personalized treatments to help patients move better, faster, and with less pain.
St. Peter’s Orthopedics provides relief from all of your sports-related injuries, whether you face back and spine pain; repairs to hands, fingers, feet, ankles, shoulders, elbows, knees and hips; or robotic-assisted joint replacement techniques and custom planning for replacements that last longer and feel more natural.
We pride ourselves on our team approach to care: Surgeons, nurses, therapists, and case managers all working together to guide your recovery. From prevention to recovery — imaging, therapy, surgery and rehab — it’s all connected through St. Peter’s Orthopedics.
For more information, please call 518-269-4690 or visit St. Peter’s Orthopedics – Moves – Services | St. Peter’s Health Partners.
