All males, regardless of age, gender, or degree of athletic aptitude, are susceptible to orthopedic injuries. These musculoskeletal injuries, which affect the bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons, are particularly common in males who play sports, work in physically demanding occupations, or perform repetitive tasks.
Maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle requires knowing the causes of orthopedic injuries and how to prevent them, according to Dheeraj Yalamanchili, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist at Loma Linda University Health.
Orthopaedic injuries that are common
An active lifestyle can be negatively impacted by orthopaedic injuries, which can arise unexpectedly or develop progressively over time.
Men who work in jobs that require heavy lifting, repeated motions, or extended periods of sitting or standing are more likely to sustain overuse injuries, which are caused by repetitive movements or excessive strain on a specific body area.
The repetitious nature of sports makes athletes especially vulnerable to overuse problems. According to Yalamanchili, younger athletes are more likely to sustain injuries while participating in sports like football, baseball, basketball, and soccer, but senior athletes are more likely to sustain injuries while cycling, swimming, tennis, pickleball, or golf.
Overuse injuries fall into a wide range of categories, some of which include:
- Tendinitis is the term for inflammation of the tendons in the shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, or ankle.
- Bursitis is the term for inflammation of the bursae of the shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee.
- Pressure on the median nerve in the hand or wrist is known as carpal tunnel syndrome
ACL tears, meniscus tears, rotator cuff tears, Achilles tendon tears, fractures, and dislocations are all examples of acute injuries that are caused by direct trauma or a single non-contact incident.
According to Yalamanchili, “the most common orthopedic injuries include various sprains or strains of muscles and tendons, despite these operative injuries.” “In general, this can include anything in the lower either in the upper extremities, such as the shoulder, elbow, wrist, or hand, or in the lower extremities, such as the back, hip, knee, or ankle.”
How to avoid orthopaedic injuries
Maintaining mobility, minimizing pain, and guaranteeing long-term health all depend on preventing orthopedic injuries. Yalamanchili offers a few easy ways to help avoid getting hurt.
- Stretching: By strengthening muscles and joints, proper stretching can help avoid a number of orthopedic injuries.
- Nutrition: Maintaining a healthy weight through exercise and proper diet improves overall health and reduces the risk of injury.
- Equipment: Wearing a helmet or shoes that fit properly are examples of protective gear that can help shield the body from severe traumatic injuries.
Yalamanchili suggests consulting with your orthopedic specialist for additional assessment in the event of an orthopaedic accident. The RICE regimen (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) and anti-inflammatory medication are two initial therapy choices. Physical treatment and immobilization with splints or casts may be necessary for severe injuries in order to restore strength and range of motion.
