While you may have dreamed of being #1 in your favorite sport in Dallas, having one of the Top 5 sports injuries was undoubtedly not part of that dream. That’s a rank you don’t want to win. Unfortunately, injuries are a risk you take when you participate in sports, and they can happen in a split second.
If you’ve been injured playing your favorite game, you’re not alone. Sports injuries are one of the most common reasons why people go to an emergency room. Throbbing heads, unusable shoulders and messed up knees are only a few of the injuries that are the result of playing sports.
What are the Top 5 Sports Injuries?
We asked one of our emergency medicine physicians at Advance ER, Dr. Alan Dennington, what the most common sports injuries are that he treats and here is his answer:
5. Concussion – an injury to the head and neck. A whipping motion or a hard hit that causes the brain to move violently.
- Symptoms: Temporary loss of consciousness sometimes, disorientation, confusion, dizziness, nausea, memory loss, sensitivity to light or smells, balance problems, headaches/migraines, or difficulty waking up
- Possible Causes: Being tackled, hitting the ground, or colliding with an obstacle or another player
- Possible Treatment: Close supervision of patient, pain relievers, rest, or surgical procedure in severe cases
4. Shoulder injury – such as a rotator cuff tear or a dislocated shoulder.
- Symptoms: Difficulty moving the arm, pain, arm weakness or dull ache
- Possible Causes: Repetitive motion injury, especially from overhead motions such as tennis, archery, basketball or rock climbing
- Possible Treatment: Rest, pain reliever injections, therapy, or surgery
3. Knee injury – such as a torn ACL or torn meniscus.
- Symptoms: Hear a loud “pop” when ligament tears, extreme pain, difficulty using the knee or bearing weight, swelling, or tenderness
- Possible Causes: A sudden stop and turning motion, jumping, or pivoting such as in basketball, tennis, skiing or gymnastics
- Possible Treatment: Rest, ice, elevation, compression, pain relievers, or surgery in severe cases
2. Wrist injury – such as a sprained or broken wrist.
- Symptoms: Pain, inability to make a grabbing/pinching motion with the hand, swelling, bruising, tenderness, change in the appearance of the wrist, or numbness
- Possible Causes: Falling on the outstretched hand such as from in-line skating, skateboarding, or football
- Possible Treatment: Wrapping with an elastic bandage, ice, elevation, rest, pain relievers, cast, physical therapy, or surgery
1. Ankle injury – such as a sprained or broken ankle.
- Symptoms: Pain, swelling, redness, tenderness, inability to hold weight or function, change in the appearance of the ankle
- Possible Causes: Twisting, falling, wrenching ankle sideways
- Possible Treatment: Wrapping with an elastic bandage, ice, elevation, rest, pain relievers, cast, physical therapy, or surgery
What is the first thing I should do when I am injured?
“The first thing a patient should do when injured from sports or an accident is to stop the activity. Trying to push through the pain is not a good idea in any of these 5 injury scenarios,” said Dr. Dennington. “Stop using the affected limb or, in the case of a concussion, rest until you can get help. Come to Advance ER immediately so we can treat you.”
Getting to the nearest Advance ER right away is crucial. “It’s especially important to have a wrist injury treated in a timely manner since the blood flow to the small bones is restricted or even stopped, and damage can be taking place,” he said.
What does Advance ER do for sports injuries?
As a freestanding emergency room, Advance ER offers an excellent range of services to treat any injury. Our imaging equipment includes an MRI, X-ray and ultrasound to aid in diagnosis. You will be seen by a board-certified physician with an average of 15 years’ experience in treating sports injuries.
“Our physicians will take the time to make sure your injury is carefully assessed and to explain your diagnosis and treatment plan so you understand what’s going on,” said Dr. Dennington. “You’ll get the best care at Advance ER.”
In addition, our friendly staff will go out of their way to make your visit more comfortable with luxuries such as No Wait service, a private room, and cold drinks & snacks from our refreshment menu. On site, our pharmacy has the pharmaceuticals and the bandages that may be prescribed to support your injury. All of these services are readily available 24/7.
What if I need a specialist?
Our revolutionary SPECIALIST NOW program offers you fast access to the right specialist to aid in your diagnosis and treatment plan. This exceptional service is offered at no additional office charge from the specialist.
Advance ER is available in two locations for your convenience:
Advance ER – Galleria Area
12338 Inwood Road Dallas, TX 75244
Advance ER – Park Cities
5201 W Lovers Lane Dallas, TX 75209
Advance ER: the right care in the right place at the right time.
Meet Dr. James Alan Dennington:
James Alan Dennington, M.D., is board-certified in emergency medicine. He received his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwest Medical Center, Dallas, TX. He specializes in emergency medicine including wound care and closure. Dr. Dennington has been providing quality medical care for a decade for patients of all ages.
