School Spirit and Safe StuntingTwisting. Throwing. Catching. Kicking. Flipping. “It’s serious and high-risk athleticism,” says ORA Sports Medicine Surgeon, Dr. Suleman Hussain. “It’s easy to think that only contact sports such as football and basketball cause serious injuries, and they do, but in many ways, gymnastic performers exhibit difficult skills and intense training that place significant demands on a young athlete’s body.
“Think about the tremendous variety of movements a cheerleader or dance squad member performs in order achieve the spectacular stunts we see at games.
These elite athletes are prone to injuries, especially in the shoulder, as their range of motion may cause tissues to tear and stretch.” Dr. Hussain says he also often treats bruising, elbow and wrist factures, and concussions after hard landings. “These are high-risk contact sports, and we take them seriously.
“These dedicated young men and women practice hours a day both for school performances and after-school clubs, and in doing so, can create instability in their shoulders from repetition. Rotator cuff, torn labrums, and cartilage injuries as well as foot and ankle injuries are common injuries that can occur.”
While bumps, bruises and twists are common, how does an athlete or his or her family know the difference between pain and injury?
“When the discomfort becomes limiting or affects day-to-day activities, it is time to seek treatment,” advises Dr. Hussain. “Most athletes are in tune with their bodies, and if they are noticing a loss of motion or strength, or an inability to perform at a high level, it’s time to see a physician.”
Dr. Hussain also advises that to help prevent injuries, athletes engage in strength training, take important rest days, and mix up the workouts to prevent repetitive injuries.
Pain or Injury?
When to see a doctor:
- Employ RICE: Rest. Ice. Compression. Elevation.
- Pain or swelling does not subside within one week
- Difficulty in sleeping or inability to perform daily activities or sports
- Persistent sharp pain, loss of strength or range of motion
Learn more about ORA’s Sports Medicine Center of Excellence or make an appointment with a sports medicine physician today.
