Health and Wellness
Don’t get benched with injuries during holiday pick-up games
’Tis the season to dust off the pigskin and join in the fun of pick-up games with family and friends. Remembering a few safety tips can prevent fumbling any holiday cheer.
Dr. Patrick McCulloch, assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, expects to be busy with many sprains, strains and tears this season.
"This time of year, people who aren’t normally physically active join in some holiday pick-up games like a game of touch football," he said, "but these games are only fun until someone gets hurt."
The most common injuries are muscle strains or joint sprains. Ankle sprains are the single most common injury, said McCulloch, who specializes in sports medicine. "However, it’s not uncommon to see finger fractures, ankle fractures, and knee and shoulder ligament tears," he said.
"If you have suffered a knee injury and you felt a ‘pop,’ that usually indicates a torn ligament," said McCulloch. "If the knee buckles on you or develops significant swelling, you should see a sports medicine physician."
In order to escape injury, McCulloch offers the following tips:
o Always stretch and warm up tight muscles before a game.
o Wear appropriate footwear. If you don’t have cleats, wear sneakers that have lower heel support than running shoes and can help you avoid ankle sprains.
o Try not to play with anyone half your age or twice your size.
If you get injured, remember RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) which is the preferred treatment for a sprained ankle, for example. "The sooner you start, the faster you will get back on your feet," McCulloch said.
Even more common than an acute injury is next-day soreness. "A lot of people will make it through the game and the rest of the day without any particular injuries," said McCulloch, "but they’ll wake up the next day incredibly sore."
He recommends stretching after the game and again the next day as well as taking an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen.
Hike the ball, score a touchdown, and do a victory dance, but remember to stretch and warm-up beforehand to avoid being tackled by injury.
