American Medical Association Family Medical Guide - American Medical Association [683]
To prevent baseball finger:
• Learn catching techniques that don’t expose the tips of your fingers to injury.
• Work with a trainer or physical therapist to strengthen the tendons in your finger.
• Avoid playing 16-inch softball.
Skier’s Thumb
Skier’s thumb is a partial to complete tear in the ligament that attaches the thumb to one of the bones in the palm. The injury causes immediate pain and swelling at the base of the thumb. Skier’s thumb occurs when the ski pole forces the thumb away from the fingers during a fall.
To prevent skier’s thumb:
• Work with a trainer or physical therapist to strengthen the tendons and ligaments in your hand.
• Learn how to manipulate the ski pole in a fall to avoid injuring your thumb.
Hip Pointer
A hip pointer is severe bruising or a tear in the muscle that attaches to the top of the hipbone at the waist. The injury causes pain and bruising of the hip. A hip pointer usually results from a direct blow to or fall on the hip.
To prevent hip pointer:
• Wear proper padding around the hips when you engage in contact sports.
Runner’s Knee
Runner’s knee refers to damage to the cartilage that covers the undersurface of the kneecap. The resulting discomfort can range from a dull ache to sharp pain on or behind the kneecap when the knee is bent. The knee may also be swollen and may grind or pop. Runner’s knee results from sudden stress on the knee, usually brought on by a change in the running routine or in the running surface.
Runner’s knee sometimes refers to pain on the outside of one or both knees caused by a tear in connective tissue that runs from the hip to the top of the tibia (the inner, thicker bone in the lower leg). The pain is worse when the foot hits the ground at an angle. In this type of runner’s knee, the knee may also be swollen or may grind or pop.
To prevent runner’s knee:
• Use good judgment when increasing your running mileage and the intensity of your workout or when running on a different surface.
• Work with a trainer or physical therapist to strengthen and stretch the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the legs.
• Wear shoes that fit properly and that are appropriate for the sport or activity; replace them when they wear out, especially when the heels wear down.
• Put shoe inserts in your running shoes to help your feet strike the ground at the correct angle.
Torn Knee Cartilage and Torn Knee Ligament
Torn cartilage in the knee is a partial to complete tear of one of the pads of cartilage inside the knee caused by a severe twist of or forceful blow to the knee. The injury causes pain in the knee, and the knee may be swollen or may grind, buckle, lock, or pop.
A torn ligament in the knee is a partial to complete tear in one of the two ligaments that crisscross inside the knee. The injury is caused by a sudden strain or twist of the knee, or a blow to the knee. Symptoms include swelling, pain, and limited movement in the knee.
To prevent torn knee cartilage or torn knee ligament:
• Work with a trainer or physical therapist to strengthen the muscles in the upper part of your leg, which will stabilize your knees.
Pulled Hamstring Muscle
A pulled hamstring is a partial to complete tear in the large muscle at the back of the thigh. The resulting pain ranges from a dull ache to severe pain that makes it difficult to walk, sit, or bend over. A pulled hamstring usually occurs in runners during a sprint and in people who have overdeveloped or naturally tight hamstring muscles.
To prevent a pulled hamstring muscle:
• Warm up before exercising or running.
• Work with a trainer or physical therapist to strengthen the muscles in the upper part of your leg.
Calf Muscle Tear
A calf muscle tear is a partial to complete tear in the calf muscle. Symptoms include sharp pain, swelling, and possibly a snapping sensation in the middle of the calf. The injury usually occurs when people who are not used to athletic activity jump and land on their toes.
To prevent calf