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Newark, NJ-- From college warriors to Baby Boomers, sports
injuries are a common occurrence on playing fields. About 30 million
children and teens in the U.S. participate in organized sports,
and more than 3.5 million experience injuries each year. Baby Boomers
also drive sports and exercise participation and are generating
higher sports injury rates, according to a comprehensive study
by American Sports Data, Inc.
“While some contact sports are more dangerous that non-contact
sports, like swimming, all types of sports have a potential for
injury,” relates James M. Lee Sr., MD, orthopedic surgeon
and head of the Institute for Sports Medicine and Total Joint Reconstruction
at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. “Injury can occur from
the trauma of contact with other players and also from overuse
or misuse of a body part.”
The Division of Orthopedic Surgery at Newark Beth Israel Medical
Center provides orthopedic care for adult patients and patients
ages 13 and older for sports injuries. Orthopedic surgeons offer
the latest in minimally invasive surgical techniques for faster
recovery from both minor joint injuries and major impairments.
The staff evaluates and treats adults with traumatic and systemic
diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
- Wear and
use proper gear.
- Understand
the game rules and follow them. They make the game safer.
- Stretch and
warm up before competition. This is especially important in older
adults and "weekend warriors."
- Proper "mechanics" is critical in sports involving repetitive
stress to the upper extremities. If you are going to pitch, play
tennis, lift weights, throw a javelin, etc. frequently, you should
get qualified coaching or instruction.
- severe pain, or if pain persists for more than two weeks in
a joint or bone.
- any injury to a joint that produces significant swelling. If
left untreated, joint injuries can become permanent.
- persistent numbness and/or weakness in the injured part.
- no ability to move the injured part.
- an injury that doesn't heal in three weeks.
- an infection with red streaks, a fever, or swollen lymph nodes.
- Fractured
finger: 3 weeks for children, 3 to 5 weeks for adults
- Broken
collar bone: 4 weeks in children, six to ten weeks in adults
- Broken
toe: 3 weeks on average
- Sprained
ankle: minor - 5 days; severe - 3 to 6 weeks
- Mild thigh
contusion: 5 days
- Simple
shoulder separation: 7 to 14 days
One way to increase recovery time is to return to activity too
soon. “Do not exercise the injured part if it hurts at rest,” says
Dr. Lee. “When the injured part no longer hurts at rest,
start exercising it slowly. If you feel pain, stop. Increase intensity
of exercise only when you can perform without pain.”
To reach the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at NBIMC, please
call (973) 926-7846 or (973) 92-ORTHO.
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, a 673-bed regional care teaching
hospital, provides comprehensive health care to its local communities
and is a major referral and treatment center for the northern New
Jersey metropolitan area. With more than 800 physicians, 3,200
employees and 150 volunteers, the Medical Center has over 300,000
outpatient visits and 25,000 admissions annually. The
main phone number for Newark Beth Israel Medical Center,
located at 201 Lyons Avenue at Osborne Terrace in Newark, is (973)
926-7000, or visit www.barnabashealth.org. For physician referral
information, please call 1-888-724-7123. Follow us on Twitter:
get real time news from the Saint Barnabas Health Care System at www.twitter.com/barnabas_health.
Date: November 11, 2009
Contact: Beth Salamon
Public Relations
Phone: 973.322.4926
esalamon@barnabashealth.org
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