It’s time for this week’s HSS Injury Report! Last week, we discussed some of the injuries that we saw after the first week of preseason football action. See below for a breakdown of some injuries that have taken place.
To read last week’s Injury Report, click here. Check back next week for the next installment of the Injury Report!
Oblique Tear: The oblique muscles vertically run along the rib cage on each side of the abdomen, helping the torso to bend forward and back and twist from side to side. Strains can occur from overworking the muscle group with a set of repeated motions that continually aggravate the area. Oblique strains can be difficult to treat and a physician will most often advise that the athlete immediately avoid any activity that affects the muscle. Rest is the most effective treatment for the injury.
Hamstring Injury: The majority of acute hamstring injuries are partial thickness tears. These can most often be treated successfully with rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Return to full activity is usually allowed when the patient is pain free, has full range of motion, and full strength. More severe injuries, such as partial tears with significant loss of strength and complete tears, lead to longer periods of rest with conservative management.
MCL Injury: Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries refer to a sprain, partial tear or complete tear of the ligament that traverses the inside of the knee. The MCL stretches from the thighbone (femur) to the shinbone (tibia) and helps to stabilize the inner or medial part of the knee. MCL sprains and tears are identified by a ripping or popping sensation on the inner line of the knee. Immediately following the injury, the MCL should be iced and the joint elevated above the heart to control swelling. The prognosis for mild MCL sprains is usually good as long as the patient avoids activity and wears a knee brace or splint.
