This time of year, the rise in outdoor activities means there is more chance for related injuries. Some common joint injuries that we see with the change in the weather and the increased outdoor activity are sprains (ankles, wrists, etc.), tendinitis, and tennis elbow.
A sprain occurs when the ligaments holding a joint together are overstretched or torn. The most typical sprain is of the ankle and occurs when the foot is rolled over on the outer edge causing the ligaments on the outer side of the foot to be overstretched or torn.
Tendinitis is an inflammation of a tendon generally caused by overuse. Common forms are jumpers knee (patellar tendinitis) typically caused by repetitive jumping and landing, and swimmers shoulder (rotator cuff tendinitis) typically caused by overuse of the shoulder.
Tennis elbow is an inflammation of the ligaments of the elbow and similar to tendinitis in that it is generally caused by overuse. Tennis elbow can be caused by a variety of repetitive activities, such as tennis, swimming, climbing, or even certain work-related repetitive tasks.
If you have a common joint injury and live in the Greater Atlanta area, drop into your neighborhood WellStreet Urgent Care center. A board-certified physician will conduct a thorough exam to determine the extent of your injury. This may include an x-ray to access the severity of the injury and to check for any broken bones. If the injury is minor, then the treatments may include stabilizing the joint, rest, ice and over the counter anti-inflammatory medication to reduce the swelling. If the injury is more severe, the physician may refer you to an orthopedic specialist who can provide the necessary injury specific treatments. Either way, we’ll help you get you the proper treatment so that you can get well on your way… fast!
