If you’re a fan of baseball — or any other sport for that matter — you’ve heard the following words: strain, sprain, tear, pull, dislocation, and overuse.
As fans of America’s favorite pastime cheer for their teams in the post-season, these are words that no one wants to hear.
With partners like the Milwaukee Brewers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Schaumburg Boomers, plus club, high school and college teams, the physical therapists and athletic trainers at ATI Physical Therapy are all too familiar with these conditions. They understand the mechanics behind the injury and what needs to be done to get the players back on the field safely and quickly.
- Strain: This injury affects the muscles or tendons (the bands that attach muscles to bones). A strain is caused by a quick pull, twist or micro-tear of the muscle, especially when muscles are not stretched or warmed-up properly. This acute injury causes pain and weakness. A strain can also be referred to as a “pulled muscle,” and depending on the severity of a strain, other terms such as “muscle tear” have been used.
- Sprain: Unlike a strain (which many use interchangeably with the term “sprain”), this injury affects the ligaments, the bands of tissue that attach bones to other bones. A sprain is caused by the ligament being stretched beyond its capacity, and can range from a mild stretch to a complete tear. Bruising, lack of stability, swelling and pain are common symptoms one might experience from this injury.
- Dislocation: A dislocation is the displacement of a bone from a joint. The most common dislocations involve a finger, thumb, shoulder, or hip. A dislocation can cause loss of movement, temporary joint paralysis, pain and swelling.
- Overuse: An injury of the musculoskeletal system that results in tissue damage from repetitive demand over the course of time.
“With many of these common baseball injuries, the key to prevention and treatment is to have a good strength and conditioning program, good body mechanics, and the proper amount rest of for the body,” says Kimberly Kollwelter, physical therapist and vice president of operations with ATI Physical Therapy.
Fortunately for baseball fans, most injuries are not life (or career) threatening for your favorite players. With the proper diagnosis, rehabilitation and preventative care, these injuries can be short lived with little to no long-term effects.
As the season winds down, let’s hope it ends with your favorite team and players making it to the “big game” on the diamond injury free. If not, there’s always next year!