FIFA 2014 Update: Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo’s Knee Injury

Portugal lost their opening match to Germany 4-0 on June 16^th at Arena Fonte Nova Salvador, and closed out their match against the US on Sunday at Arena Amazonia Manaus with a 2-2 tie. The world has been watching closely as the world player of the year continues to attempt to shake the left-knee injury that has been plaguing him since arriving in Brazil. He has been training with the rest of his team and although nursing the injury in training, was still able to perform on Sunday, keeping the team in the running.

Ronaldo isn’t the only Portugal player suffering an injury. Defender Fabio Coentrao and striker Hugo Almeida are out of the World Cup because of their injuries. With Portugal now out, hopefully all of these players can regroup and rehabilitate those injuries and get back in top form.

Those of us watching the World Cup who are also players know just how vulnerable our knees are to injury during the game. Ligament injuries can wreak havoc on our running abilities and keep us from the pitch for significant periods of time. We may not all play like Ronaldo, but that doesn’t mean we need to suffer through these injuries. A custom knee brace can offer some much-needed relief and take some pressure off of the torn or strained ligaments.

For more about common soccer injures or to find out about a custom knee brace, please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 416 800 0800.

FIFA 2014: Update and Soccer Injuries So Far

The World Cup is officially underway and so far the games have been super exciting. From Algeria’s first goal in 28 years, to Guillermo Ochoa’s wonder save against Neymar, to Portugal’s nail-biter goal in the final seconds of their game against the US, FIFA fans worldwide have not been disappointed!

Opening week was off to a blazing start with 16 matches and 49 goals, or 3.06 goals per game (the highest average in 44 years)! Since then we have seen teams both conquer the pitch and the odds and collapse under the pressure. So far a number of teams have been knocked out of the finals, including the reigning defenders Spain, but still more will see a sad end before the tournament is over.

With the victories and defeats we have also seen a wide array of minor and major soccer injuries, some that have been treated and others that have meant a heartbreaking end at the World Cup for some players. Anyone who plays the game knows that common soccer injuries, such as tendinitis, torn ligaments, or various ankle injuries, can quickly ruin a player’s game, and the boys in Brazil are all too familiar with the results.

If you’ve been out celebrating World Cup by playing, but have found yourself in the same painful position as some of the FIFA players, suffering from one of the common soccer injuries, seek treatment right away to avoid long term impacts to your own game.

For more about World Cup 2014 injuries, or to treat your own soccer injuries, please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 416 800 0800.

Cycling Injuries – Are Your Knees Feeling the Burn (and Not in a Good Way)?

Cycling is a great, low-impact way to stay in shape – but it comes with its own risks. Injuries are an unfortunate part of any cyclist’s world – whether from overuse, a crash, or just poor bike fit. Getting out on the bike and staying pain-free can be challenging, but it isn’t impossible. With this in mind, here is a list of the most common cycling injuries – and how to prevent them.

1.     The knee is the most common pain point for cyclists, especially with regard to overuse injuries: the repetitive motion can cause distress in a number of different ways. Patellofemoral syndrome (also called cyclist’s knee), patella and quandriceps tendinitis, and medial plica syndrome are all typical cycling injuries due to overuse. Bike fit and foot position can help reduce the risk of sustaining one of these injuries, as can proper training.

2.     Achilles Tendonitis is primarily an overuse injury caused by inflammation. It often comes on gradually overtime, often causing pain which is constant if untreated or ignored. If you feel pain, take a break, and seek medical attention before it gets worse. Also, try lowering your bike seat and make sure that your cleats are not pushed all the way forward – this will alleviate pressure on the calf muscles.

3.     Lower back pain is often the result of poor bike fit or long hours out on the trail, especially if you are in an aggressive riding position. Many cyclists forget about those core muscles that are needed to sustain longer rides, causing the supporting muscles to overcompensate. To avoid this, make sure that you are doing core-strengthening exercises on a regular basis to build up those muscles.

4.     Neck pain is also common thanks to muscle fatigue caused by the neck having to hold up the weight of your head in extension for extended periods of time. Like lower back pain, this can be combatted with an exercise routine that incorporates neck and shoulder strengthening exercises.

5.     Head injuries from a crash - often unavoidable since a crash isn’t exactly something you plan for. The best advice here: protect your head by wearing a helmet every time you get out riding. And always remember: if you do fall and hit your head hard, the symptoms of a concussion may not present themselves right away, or may be hard to diagnose, so seek medical attention immediately.

If this advice is just a little too late, and you are already suffering from one of these common cycling injuries, don’t ride through the pain. Attend a sports medicine clinic to get assessed and find out about the various treatment options available.

For more about preventing or treating cycling injuries, please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today – we’ve got you covered. Call 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=blogger today.

Avoiding Common Musculoskeletal Injuries During the Dragon Boat Race Festival

On June 21st and 22nd, Toronto Centre Island will host the 26th annual Tim Hortons’ Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival. This exciting event, featuring an expected 180-200 teams with over 5000 athletes participating, not only brings together the community but raises money for the SickKids Foundation. Come out and support a very worthy cause all while joining the thrilling festivities!

Over the past decade especially, dragon boat racing has become a very popular form of exercise. Whether you are a member of a team that meets and trains on a regular basis, or just head out every once and a while for a change in exercise routine, this can be a great way to get your body moving all while having a great time.

That being said, there are some important things to keep in mind when it comes to this increasingly popular sport. Although not high impact, dragon boating is very strenuous, and as a result can wreak havoc on the body if you are not careful. This is especially true when it comes to musculoskeletal injuries.

When it comes to dragon boat racing, these are the top 5 musculoskeletal injuries:

o Low back strain – straining of the joints and lower lumbar region.
o Shoulder – tendinitis and/or bursitis in the rotator cuff muscles.
o Hand – forearm tendinitis from holding paddles too tightly.
o Wrist – carpel tunnel syndrome, hand weakness or numbness.
o Hand abrasions – a common result of hands banging on the boat.

These injuries are almost always a result of overuse, or thanks to poor conditioning or the unusual techniques required when paddling.  So what can you do to prepare for the day on the water without hurting yourself?

Since this is such a fast-paced and strenuous activity, one of the most important things to do to avoid musculoskeletal injuries from dragon boat racing is strength training, especially upper body strengthening exercises. Couple this with resistance and conditioning training to get your body in peak physical condition.

What if you find yourself struggling out there on the water already? If you have already sustained an injury, do not ignore the symptoms. Visit a sports medicine clinic today to have your injury assessed and to discuss treatment or training options to get some relief.

For more about common musculoskeletal injuries due to dragon boat racing, or their treatment or prevention, please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine Clinic today by calling 416-800-0800.

Dealing with ‘The Golf Swing Injury’

Avid golfers and weekend players alike often deal with pain after a day on the course. This can be a result of numerous factors, many of which are related to your stance and swing. Check out this video from Health Choices First. In it, physiotherapist Johnny Yiu discusses how asymmetry in the golf swing can result in injury.

Here is the link: http://www.healthchoicesfirst.com/category/golf/local-providers/golf-swing-injury

As Yiu demonstrates, hip injuries due to imbalances with the golf swing are very common, as is pelvic misalignment. Working to reduce the strain on muscles with proper techniques can greatly reduce your chance of injury on the green.

Other tips to help prevent an injury: an adequate warm-up before heading on the course, including stretches to warm up the muscles and lubricate the joints, can greatly decrease risk.

Another great way to prevent injury is to visit a clinic that offers golf injury prevention. Here you will be able to have your swing and equipment assessed to ensure proper technique. This can also go a long way as far as improving your swing, and therefore your game, overall.

Already suffering from the golf swing injury that is keeping you from the course? Contact a sports medicine clinic and speak with a physiotherapist about the various treatment options to get some relief.

For more about preventing the golf swing injury or to get relief, please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today by calling 416-800-0800.

The Run or Dye Toronto 5K – Get Ready with a Running Injury Clinic

Run or Dye is coming to Toronto on June 7^th! This fun event gets you out on the track and running (or walking) while you get showered in eco-friendly dye at every kilometre stop. Get out there with your friends, family, or co-workers and participate in what has become known worldwide as the world’s most colourful 5K.

But wait! Before you lace up those sneakers – remember: running, if not done properly, can wreak havoc on the body. Keep these tips from a running injury clinic in mind:

-          Warm up, then stretch. Going full sprint right off the mark is only going to lead to problems in the future, so make sure that you take the time to get your muscles loosened up.

-          Set a path. Determining your route, whether it be on a trail, along the sidewalk, etc., allows you to focus solely on your run.

-          Beginners – start out slow. Pace yourself. Judge minutes, not kilometres.

-          Wear good running shoes (a running injury clinic can actually assess the best pair for you).

-          Kick up that H2O intake – stay hydrated.

-          Learn the proper form. Running requires some technique, and doing it incorrectly can lead to a running injury. A great way to ensure proper technique is to seek guidance from a running injury clinic.

-          Team up. Join a local running club or recruit a friend to head out on the track or trail with you.

-          Don’t pay attention to pace, especially if you are a beginner. You are not going to be able to ‘Usain Bolt’ that track your first trip out, so keep it leisurely (try the ‘talk test’).

-          Wind down. Take the time to let your body relax properly after a run. Do some cooling down exercises and stretches – don’t just plop your butt on the couch.

-          Set goals, even if it is just an extra minute each week - this will help with staying motivated.

-          Listen to your body. If you are suffering from a running injury, don’t ignore the pain. Attending a running injury clinic can help you get relief.

Whether you want to get your body back in peak condition for the exciting tie-dye extravaganza that is Run or Dye Toronto or you just want to stop that pain from keeping you from your regular running routine, the running injury clinic at Athletic Edge Sports Medicine can help. Call us today at 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=blogger.