Sports Injuries
Have you been sidelined by an injury? Let the Center for Sports Medicine at Adventist Health Hanford help get you back in the game. Our team of highly trained experts specializes in the evaluation and management of injuries that affect physically active people — whether young or old, competitive athlete or weekend warrior. We will answer all of your questions and get you on the right path toward your goal.
Concussion
Concussion is a disturbance of brain function that occurs after a blow to the head. It is one of the most common sports injuries. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates 1.6–3.2 million concussions occur yearly in sports and other recreational activities. Unfortunately, many people don't realize how serious a concussion is or the potential impact it can have on your future health.
Symptoms of a concussion may include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Feeling in a "fog" or "slowed down"
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Amnesia (memory loss)
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- Poor coordination/balance
- Slurred speech
- Nausea/vomiting
Concussion treatment at the Hanford and Lemoore Physical Therapy Clinic
Knee injuries
There are many diseases and types of injuries that can affect your knee.
Some of the most common are:
- Bursitis
- Dislocation
- Fractures
- Ligament tears
- Meniscal tears
- Osteoarthritis
- Tendonitis
Immediately after an injury, follow the RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation) method. Seek medical treatment as soon as possible if your pain is severe, your knee is swollen, or you cannot move your knee and/or bear any weight. Injuries that are not treated appropriately can lead to chronic knee pain. Treatments for knee injuries range from medication and physical therapy to surgical repair.
Back injuries
Back injuries are evaluated and usually treated immediately with physical therapy in order to diminish back stiffness, improve recruitment of other muscles, and reduce muscle spasms and pain. Your injured muscles are balanced against uninjured muscles that counter force and engagement, which can often stop a back spasm earlier than if just rest is used.
We are aggressive in using ice and anti-inflammatory medications as necessary in order to stop the immediate muscle spasm and pain, as well as other activities and back exercises in order to retrain the back and core muscles to diminish the recurrence of back injuries.
Hip injuries
The hip is one of the most stable joints in the body, but its function as the body’s weight bearer makes it susceptible to overuse injury due to excessive pressure. Pain in the hip may also involve injury to muscles, tendons or bursae.
Common causes of hip pain include:
- Arthritis
- Bursitis
- Fractures
- Muscle strain
- Osteonecrosis
- Tendinitis
Hand and wrist injuries
The hand is composed of many different bones, muscles and ligaments that allow for a large amount of movement and dexterity. There are many common hand problems and injuries that can interfere with your activity level.
Hanford Therapy's certified hand specialist uses the latest techniques to treat many common problems including:
- Arthritis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Compartment syndrome
- Dupuytren's contracture
- Fractures
- Tendon injuries