Spring Sports Injury Series: Common Baseball Injuries

The 2015 baseball season is up and running, and that means that pros and amateurs alike are out there on a regular basis running the bases and hitting home runs (we hope)! In the midst of all of this excitement however, sometimes we lose sight of the fact that baseball can be a source of major strain on the body, and for regular players, baseball injuries can be quite common.

What kind of injuries are we talking about? The most common occur as a result of contact (odd in a non-contact sport, we know), and as a result of repetition. These often include muscle strains and ligament sprains.

We’ve compiled a short list of some of the most common, what their symptoms are, and some of the most popular treatment options.

• The repetitive yet abrupt motions unavoidable in baseball often lead to shoulder injuries, including a torn rotator cuff, rotator cuff tendonitis, shoulder tendonitis or shoulder instability. Symptoms of these types of injuries may include decreased range of motion, pain, and weakness in the shoulder. Treatment varies, and depends on the severity of the injury - but ignoring the pain in the hopes that it will go away will likely only make it worse - see a sports medicine physician right away.

• Tennis elbow is another common baseball injury, occurring as a result of repetition or an abrupt injury. Symptoms typically include pain in the area, usually worse with movement, and weakness. Treatment: physical therapy to improve the muscle or a custom elbow brace.

• Knee injuries, including ligament injuries (ACL, MCL), torn cartilage (meniscus tears), and ruptured tendons, are also common baseball injuries. These can be the result of overuse and thus degradation, or because of a sudden, sharp twist or stop that puts too much pressure on the knee. Pain and decreased movement are typical symptoms. Depending on the severity of the injury, treatment may include rest, physical therapy, knee bracing and sometimes surgery, but seeking medical advice is always the best place to start.

• Although not as common as some of those listed above, a herniated disk is also a common problem in the sport. A herniated disk occurs when the disc is damaged - there are a number of different causes - but in baseball it is usually the result of a fall, repeated straining of the back, or a sudden sharp twist of the back. Symptoms may include pain, weakness, or numbness or tingling. Treatment for a herniated disk usually involves rest, physical therapy and massage therapy, or injections to reduce pain and inflammation.

• Concussions are also a problem in baseball, and even with the use of helmets (and these make a huge difference), a concussion can still occur. A fall or a hit to the head can lead to a concussion - but since they are so difficult to diagnose they sometimes go untreated (leading to further issues). If you believe a concussion has been sustained, contact a sports injury clinic that specializes in concussion management right away.

No matter the level of play, baseball injuries need to be treated correctly to help get you back on the field. The best thing to do if you suffer an injury is seek treatment from a sports injury clinic to avoid further injury and decrease pain.

For more about dealing with one of these baseball injuries, please call Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today at 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca.

World Series Comes to a Nail Biting Finish – Beat Your Baseball Injuries

The 2014 World Series of Baseball is now coming to an end, and teams like the Giants and the Royals are out there on the field playing their hearts out trying to win that ever-elusive world championship. No matter the outcome of the series though, each of these teams has finished the season with a bang – but not without suffering some setbacks along the way – mostly in the form of baseball injuries that kept players from the plate for often extended periods of time.

Baseball injuries are a common risk in the game, and if you play you know that soft tissue injuries, even those that are not severe, can be devastating to your own game.

Check out this video from Health Choices First: http://www.healthchoicesfirst.com/category/baseball/local-providers/soft-tissue-injuries-in-baseball-1. In it, physiotherapist Johnny Yiu discusses the most common soft tissue injuries in baseball and how they occur, including hamstring pulls, groin strains and ankle rolls.

When it comes to soft tissue injuries such as these, a great option for treatment and relief is physiotherapy. Through a combination of different treatments, which may include acupuncture, manual therapy or strength and conditioning, physiotherapy can help to restore function, improve movement, increase strength and flexibility and prevent future injuries.

Don’t let a baseball injury bring you down. For more about the benefits of physiotherapy in the treatment of baseball injuries please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today by calling 416-800-0800.

Avoiding Baseball Injuries - 2014 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

Baseball fans: the 2014 Major League Baseball All-Star Game is just around the corner! This year, the best of the best will face off at Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins, for an exciting five day event culminating in the 85^th All-Star Game on July 15^th!

Baseball players: Whether you play in an organized league, on a regular basis, or just have the odd meet-up on the diamond with friends, before heading out there and putting on the glove, be aware of the fact that baseball can be accompanied by a number of unfortunate pains – so be prepared!

Here is a list of the top 5 baseball injuries, their respective symptoms, and treatment options for each.

·       Torn rotator cuff – this is when one or more of the tendons of the rotator cuff muscles is torn. This can be caused by an injury (such as an over extension), or degeneration (repetition), and the severity ranges from a partial tear to a full tear. Pain and inflammation are common symptoms of this type of injury. Treatment can included physical therapy to improve flexibility and the strength of the muscles surrounding the joint, or may require more extensive treatment if the injury is severe.  

·       Tennis elbow – this is the result of an abrupt or subtle injury to the muscle and tendon area on the outside of the elbow. This manifests as pain, usually worse when shaking your hands or squeezing objects. Treatment may include physical therapy or a custom elbow brace.

·       Knee injuries – most commonly caused by an impact against the knee or a sudden twist of the joint which can rip the cartilage in the meniscus, usually resulting in significant pain. Strained or torn ligaments are also common, and are also quite painful and can decrease movement. Treatment includes rest, physical therapy and knee bracing. 

·       Head injuries – concussions are also one of the most common baseball injuries, and even with a helmet, concussions can occur as a result of a fall or a hit, or of course a baseball to the head. Since they are so difficult to diagnose, the threat of a concussion needs to be examined by a physician right away. 

·       Wrist injuries – wrist sprains and strains are common in baseball, often due to falls. Wrist tendinitis can also be a problem for many baseball players. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and a decrease in the range in motion. Common treatment may include a wrist brace or medication – but always speak to a physician for a diagnosis.

It doesn’t matter if you play at the same level as those players participating in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game or you just like to play on Sunday afternoons, baseball injuries are an unfortunate reality of the game. The best thing that you can do if you suffer an injury is to seek treatment from a sports injury clinic to avoid further injury and decrease pain.

For more about dealing with one of these baseball injuries, please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine. Call us today at 416-800-0800.

MLB World Series Kicks Off: Avoiding Baseball Injuries Like The Pros

This month's kick-off of The World Series of Major League Baseball sends players to the field to compete for the championship title. Whether you're an avid fan who plays on a weekly team or just like to head out for a friendly weekend face-off, baseball injuries are a common hindrance to any player’s game - not to mention potentially debilitating – keeping you from the plate for weeks at a time (or longer)! 

There are two main types of baseball injuries: cumulative and acute. Cumulative injuries occur overtime, largely as a result of overuse. Aches and pains caused by stress on the muscles, soft tissues or joints can quickly turn into incapacitating injuries if left untreated. 

Acute injuries are caused by sudden impact or force, rather than from stress. These can be quite dramatic.

The most common baseball injuries include damage to the shoulder, elbow, back, hand and wrist or knee.

Shoulder:

-        Shoulder tendinitis, bursitis

-        Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)

-        Torn rotator cuff or rotator cuff tendonitis

-        Shoulder separation

Elbow:

-        Medial epicondylitis (also known as golfer’s elbow)

-        Bursitis

-        Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)

Back:

-        Lower back pain

-        Herniated disks

-        Muscle strains

Hand and Wrist:

-        Sprains and fractures

-        Tendinitis

-        Tenosynovitis

Knee:

-        Injuries to the ACL, PCL, MCL or LCL

Whatever your game style, it's crucial to avoid these injuries wherever possible. Stretching, proper warm up and cool down routines, and appropriate gear go a long way in remaining pain-free on the field.  Also staying in shape, rather than just infrequently moving from the couch to the diamond, is the best way to avoid many of the common baseball injuries that players suffer from.

If you have already sustained a baseball injury, whether cumulative or acute, it is important to seek treatment immediately. Ignoring an ache or pain hoping it will improve on its own will often lead to further deterioration – and leave you in far worse shape.  Instead, head to a sports injury specialist for individualized treatment. Trusting a specialist with your sports related injury is a superior strategy to ensuring effective and efficient treatment!

For more information about common baseball injuries, how to avoid them, or how to treat them, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca