Pain On and Off the Ice: Ice Hockey Shoulder Injuries

With the hockey season in full swing, many of you are out there on a regular basis, hitting the ice as part of an organized league or just for some fun competition among friends. Ice hockey is a fantastic way to stay fit during the winter, and it offers many fitness benefits. However, it also comes with its own host of risks, not least of which are hockey shoulder injuries – often the result of contact injuries – and therefore unavoidable.

Check out this video from Health Choices First, Hockey & Shoulder Injuries. In it, physiotherapist Behnad Honarbakhsh discusses common hockey shoulder injuries. These typically include:

• shoulder dislocation
• fractured humerus
• damaged collarbone or AC joint (often the result of being checked into the boards)

Depending on the severity of the injury, there are a number of different methods for treatment. These may include bracing for stability and to retain range of motion and avoid stiffness, kinesiotaping for stability and control, or physiotherapy to rehabilitate the injury to achieve normal functionality.

For more about treating hockey shoulder injuries, and how physiotherapy can help you deal with an injury that is causing pain both on and off the ice, please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today by calling 416 800 0800 or visit us online at www.aesm.ca.

Happy Holidays From Athletic Edge Sports Medicine

It is that time of year again! The decorations are out, the plans for holiday parties and get-togethers are made. The gifts are wrapped and the radio is playing nothing but holiday tunes.

Athletic Edge Sports Medicine wants to wish you a very happy holiday season and wonderful 2015! We are very excited for the year ahead!

Treating Osteoarthritis of the Knee with Hyaluronic Acid Injections

In Canada, 10 percent of adults are living with osteoarthritis, and osteoarthritis of the knee is one of the most common types of osteoarthritis, making life for those who struggle with this degenerative disease that much more difficult.

Osteoarthritis of the knee, or osteoarthritis in general, occurs when the natural cushioning (cartilage) between joints wears away, causing the joints to rub together without the necessary protective layer, leading to pain, swelling, stiffness and the decreased ability to move fluidly. This can flare up on occasion or constantly present problems, making even the most mundane daily activities difficult.

What causes osteoarthritis of the knee? It is difficult to determine the cause, but osteoarthritis is typically attributed to wear and tear on the knee joint. However, there are actually many different contributing factors which can lead to this condition, which whether hereditary, or resulting from trauma suffered to the knee, can include:

• Trauma to knee joint, including tearing of the meniscus
• Recurrent patellar dislocation or patella fracture
• Ligamentous instability, such as an ACL injury
• Fractures of the knee or knee dislocation
• Various genetic factors, including the presence of arthritis in family medical history

One of the most effective methods for relief of this painful condition is hyaluronic acid injections. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring fluid in your body, one that helps to lubricate the joints, allowing them to move smoothly, as well as acting as a shock absorber. When you suffer from osteoarthritis, this fluid is thinned, meaning that protective layer is compromised.

For those unfamiliar with the process, hyaluronic acid treatment involves the injection of this substance directly into the cavity around the knee joint, helping to add to your body’s natural supply. Following an injection, your doctor might suggest taking it easy for a few days, but after that things should start to improve. Also called viscosupplementation, this can significantly increase your body’s ability to combat the symptoms of this condition.

Depending on your unique situation, your doctor might use a combination of treatments to deal with your knee osteoarthritis along with the hyaluronic acid injections. This may include custom knee bracing to help provide stability, or physiotherapy to assist in increasing movement and reducing pain.

For more about the benefits of hyaluronic acid injections to soothe your osteoarthritis of the knee please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today by calling 416 800 0800 or visit us online at www.aesm.ca.

Winter Running Tips Just in Time for The Santa Shuffle

This weekend, Toronto is host to the third annual Santa Shuffle Fun Run and Elf Walk in support of the Salvation Army. This exciting event offers something for everyone – a 5km run for the more ambitious, and a 1km run for those that just want to take their time. The only real requirement? A Santa suit! Get ready to have some fun at this great, family-friendly occasion!

In the spirit of the season, we thought we’d provide you with some winter running tips to both prepare you for this event and winter running in general – check them out!

1. Wear layers – allows the warm air from your body to act as an insulator – but look for articles made of synthetic materials that will wick moisture away from the skin, rather than retaining the moisture and causing discomfort. Also, consider dressing as though it were warmer than it is – you should be chilled when you leave the house, otherwise you are just going to overheat as you get going.
2. Consider stretching indoors – avid runners know the importance of warming up before a run – but in the winter, think about doing these exercises inside – you are more likely to do a thorough warm up in a warm, comfortable environment.
3. Protect your eyes and skin. The cold can be a killer on the skin, and the glare from the snow can be harsh on the eyes. Wear sunglasses, and a thin layer of Vaseline on the face and lips can go a long way as far as preventing your skin from cracking from the cold.
4. Preplan your run according to the conditions. Ice, snow drifts, closed trails- these can all impact your running route, so be prepared. And, if it is beyond freezing, know when it is best to run indoors instead.
5. Hit up a running injury clinic to get more tips and ensure that you are protecting yourself from a running injury while enjoying the winter weather.

Use these winter running tips to get yourself ready for the winter weather. Whether you are an avid runner or just a beginner, the snow and cold does not mean that you need to take a running hiatus. Just be prepared for everything that winter has to throw at you.

For more winter running tips or to find out more about a running injury clinic please call Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today at 416 800 0800 or visit us online at www.aesm.ca. 

Skiing Knee Injuries: How Physiotherapy Treatment Can Help

Snow-lovers rejoice – winter is finally showing itself, and that means that it is time to get back out on the hill and enjoy some fresh powder. There really is nothing quite like the anticipation of taking the lift to the top, standing with the sun shining down on you, and then racing to the bottom with the wind rushing past.

All of that sounds amazing, but skiing does come part and parcel with its own set of risks. Whether you are an avid skier, or just a beginner, being out there on the slope can sometimes lead to knee injuries – more specifically meniscus tears, which are very common in downhill skiing.

Check out this video from Health Choices First: http://www.healthchoicesfirst.com/videos/meniscus-injuries

In it, Physiotherapist Behnad Honarbakhsh discusses meniscus tears, the symptoms of them, and how physiotherapy treatment is the best place to start for rehabilitation.

According to Honarbakhsh, “the meniscus is sort of a wedge-like, rubber-like piece of tissue that sits between your femur and tibia. And usually with compression and twisting, you end up straining this tissue. It'll feel like there's something in your knee, or something's catching, and it could be quite painful, especially with weight bearing.”

As soon as an injury is sustained, seek medical attention and physiotherapy treatment as soon as possible to determine the severity of the injury as well as the best course of action for treatment.

For more about avoiding downhill skiing injuries or to speak to an expert about physiotherapy treatment please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today by calling 416-800-0800.

Get Back in the Game: ACL Injury Treatment

No matter how you slice it, an ACL injury can be a terrible condition to deal with, causing significant pain and keeping you from the activities you love. Many individuals, after sustaining an ACL tear, whether partial or full, are concerned that surgery is the only option, or are not even fully aware that the injury sustained is actually an ACL injury at all.

The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is one of the four ligaments in the knee that provides stabilization. That being said, it is also one of the ligaments of the knee most commonly injured. An ACL injury occurs when that ligament is stretched (partial tear) or torn completely. It has been estimated that approximately 70% of all ACL injuries are a result of non-contact (usually when the knee locks and twists or pivots), although 30% are attributed to direct contact.

When an ACL injury is sustained, it is usually accompanied by pain and swelling and instability. This can later manifest as a loss of full range of motion and further pain and swelling. Although some choose to ignore the pain in the hopes that rest will make it go away, this is often the worst thing that you can do. An ACL injury can be quite serious and so seeking medical attention and ACL injury treatment right away is critical to avoid further damage to the knee.

As mentioned, many are concerned that the only option for treatment is surgery, but this may not be the case. Speaking with an experienced sports medicine specialist will help you better understand the various options that exist as far as treatment. Depending on the severity of the injury, surgery might be the only option – but assuming that it is and thus avoiding seeking medical advice is never a good idea.

As far as non-surgical ACL injury treatment, there are a variety of methods. The most common method is physical therapy to help rehabilitate the knee to a condition as close to the pre-injury state as possible.

Another form of non-surgical treatment may include the use of a custom ACL knee brace, one designed to meet your body’s exact specifications. This can help to stabilize the knee and reduce the pressure place on the joint.

Don’t just suffer through the pain of an ACL injury. There are options available and those options don’t always involve surgery. Speak to an expert in sports medicine right away to find out how you can get relief.

For more about ACL injury treatment please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today by calling 416-800-0800.

Staying Active in the Winter: Tips from a Sports Injury Clinic

For many people, the leaves changing colour and the weather becoming colder is a sure sign that life will quickly become much more indoor-based. The temptation of trading a day outside for one curled up in front of the fire can be hard to ignore, but when it comes to staying in shape, this can make things a bit more difficult. Don’t stress – it is actually pretty easy to stay active during the winter. 

Check out this list of tips from a sports injury clinic to stay fit even when the weather is acting up!

Indoors:

1.      Clean. Yes, clean. Housework is a great way to burn calories – and since you have to do it anyways you might as well be happier. Just think, not only will your home be tidy, you’ll feel better too.

2.      Walk. Go to the mall, head to a local museum, really anywhere that offers the space to make this a worthwhile exercise, while staying warm, is great.

3.      Join a gym or do workouts at home. If your summer workout routine generally involves being outside, and therefore the winter means you take a break, think about heading indoors to get that body moving.

4.      Take advantage of the stairs. Whether at home or work, make the most of this often-ignored yet highly effective workout machine.

5.      Join a dance class – this can really help you work up a sweat and burn calories, all while having fun and learning some new moves.

Outdoors:

1.      First tip – warm up before heading out. Cold temperatures can make your muscles tight, and therefore more prone to injuries – so get them warmed up first.

2.      Head to the local rink for some ice time - a great way to get out with family and friends. Check out the free skates at arenas and outdoor rinks close to you and this activity doesn’t have to cost you a thing.

3.      Hit the slopes – skiing and snowboarding are a great form of winter exercise and are both really fun.

4.      Shovel snow – you have to do it anyways, but instead of being grumpy about it, think about how many calories you are burning out there! Just make sure to do it properly, or you might end up hurting yourself.

5.      Go outside and play. Buddle up with the family or a group of friends and head outside for a brisk snowball fight or build a snow fort. Just because you aren’t 7 anymore doesn’t mean that these things are any less exciting than they used to be – you might actually be surprised.

Winter doesn’t have to drag you down. Whether you change your exercise routine to fit the season indoors or outdoors, there are a ton of ways to stay active during the winter months.

For more ideas about staying active even when the weather outside is frightful, please contact sports injury clinic Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today by calling 416-800-0800.

AESM Hosting Active Shoulder Clinical Seminar

As part of our continuing commitment to education, AESM will be hosting an “Active Shoulder Clinical Seminar” on November 15-16.

This workshop is designed to help any clinician focus on the key anatomy of the shoulder, refine their diagnostic skills and examine better ways to treat the shoulder. These seminars will offer a comprehensive look at what the clinician needs to successfully treat a variety of shoulder problems. Interactive lectures, live demonstrations, video reviews and extensive Q&A.

Call us @ 416.800.0800 for more information.

NHL Season Has Started: Be Prepared – Check Out This Hockey Concussions Video

Hockey season is here again, and that means that fans will be out in full force cheering on their favourite teams and leagues will be out on the ice for their weekly bouts of competitive action. During the winter months, hockey is a great way to stay in shape and have fun – but it also comes with its own risks, not least of which are hockey concussions.

Check out this video from Health Choices First, “Hockey Concussions” http://www.healthchoicesfirst.com/category/hockey/sports-medicine/hockey-concussion. In it, Dr. Larissa Roux discusses this head injury, which she states, in hockey, is often the result of trauma – such as a blow to the head.

For many, an unfortunate yet common assumption is that not all concussions are serious, but according to Roux, concussions are always serious, no matter what. Since they can cause neurological impairment, no matter how mild they may seem at the time, all concussions should be examined by a physician right away. Evidence has shown that a series of concussions, even if mild, can lead to long term impairment if left untreated, making immediate diagnosis and treatment essential in every case.

If you or someone you care about has suffered what might be a concussion, it is critical to seek out medical advice and treatment as soon as possible.

For more on treating hockey concussions please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today by calling 416-800-0800.