Golfer’s Elbow
What: Pain and tenderness at the inside of the elbow; may spread to the forearm and wrist.
Cause: Overuse, especially in gripping activities.
Symptoms: Pain, tenderness, stiffness, weakness, numbness, or tingling.
Immediate care needed if:
Elbows are hot and inflamed with a fever.
Can’t bend the elbow.
Elbow looks deformed or broken.
Sprains and Strains
What:
Sprain: Damage to ligaments connecting bones at joints.
Strain: Injury to muscles or tendons connecting muscle to bone.
Cause: Twisting, falling, overstretching, or sudden force.
Common in ankles, wrists, back, and hamstrings.
Initial treatment: Rest, ice, compression, medication.
Later treatment: Exercise and physical therapy.
Knee Injuries
What: Trauma to ligaments, tendons, cartilage, bones, or muscles of the knee.
Cause: Falls, forceful twists, or high-impact collisions.
Common injuries: Fractures, dislocations, ACL tears, meniscus tears.
Some injuries may require surgery.
Ankle Sprains
What: Injury to ligaments on the ankle’s outer side.
Cause: Awkward twisting or rolling of the ankle.
Treatment varies by severity.
Medical evaluation may be needed.
Shin Splints
What: Overuse injury with pain and inflammation in the lower leg.
Cause: Repetitive activities especially in running and jumping. Risk of developing into stress fractures.
Common in athletes, military, and osteoporosis patients.
Stress Fractures
What: Tiny cracks in weight-bearing bones.
Cause: Repetitive force, or overuse, especially in running or jumping. Also in individuals with weakened bones.
Common in lower leg and foot.
High risk in track athletes and military recruits.
Shoulder Injuries
What: Damage mostly to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons of the shoulder. Possibility of fractures in shoulder bones.
Cause: Repetitive, overhead motion in sports like swimming, tennis, and weightlifting.
Symptoms: Steady pain, arm weakness, limited joint motion.
Hamstring Injuries
What: Strain or tear in tendons/muscles at the back of the thigh.
Severity:
Grade 1: Mild pull.
Grade 2: Partial tear.
Grade 3: Complete tear.
Cause: Sudden, powerful movements like sprinting, lunging, or jumping.
Concussions
What: Traumatic brain injury affecting brain function.
Cause: Blows to the head or violent shaking.
Symptoms: Headaches, concentration issues, memory loss, balance/coordination problems.
Most recover fully.
Achilles Tendonitis
What: Overuse injury of the Achilles tendon connecting calf muscles to heel.
Common in runners or occasional middle-aged athletes.
Treatment: At-home care, prevention strategies.
Severe cases may need surgical repair.