| From tennis and soccer to football and | | | | physician immediately. |
| running, organized and individual sports | | | | |
| activities are key to any healthy lifestyle. | | | | The largest and most vulnerable tendon in the |
| But they can also result in common sports | | | | body, the Achilles tendon joins the calf and |
| injuries that require attention, either at | | | | soleus muscles of the lower leg to the heel |
| home or at the doctor, to heal properly. | | | | of the foot. While tendons are strong, they |
| | | | are not very flexible and therefore are more |
| Abrasions are perhaps some of the most common | | | | likely to become inflamed or tear and |
| sports injuries and can result from a fall on | | | | rupture. An Achilles tendon rupture can |
| a hard surface. | | | | happen suddenly and may be linked to weak |
| | | | calf muscles. Muscles that are weak and |
| As an athlete slides or falls on the ground, | | | | fatigued can be tighten and shorten, which |
| the friction from the fall causes layers of | | | | increases the stress on the Achilles tendon, |
| skin to rub off. For cyclists, these | | | | resulting in a rupture. A classic sign of |
| abrasions are often referred to as "road | | | | Achilles tendon rupture is the feeling of |
| rash" and are caused by a bike crash. While | | | | being hit in that area and often a "pop" |
| some abrasions can be severe and painful, | | | | sound is heard. While there may be little |
| most abrasions are scrapes that do not extend | | | | pain, the person will be unable to lift up |
| into the deeper layer of the skin (dermis) or | | | | onto his toes. |
| cause a great amount of bleeding. However, | | | | |
| these abrasions can cause a great deal of | | | | Ruptured Achilles tendons may require surgery |
| pain because of the exposed nerve endings. | | | | and a couple of months in a cast. Partial |
| | | | tears can sometimes be treated with surgery |
| The most standard treatment of abrasions | | | | followed by wearing a cast. During the |
| include cleaning the area with mild soap and | | | | healing process, the tendon will shorten so a |
| water or an antiseptic wash such as hydrogen | | | | heel lift is often required for six months or |
| peroxide, and then covering the affected area | | | | more after the cast comes off. Physical |
| with antibiotic ointment and a dry dressing. | | | | therapy will help to regain flexibility and |
| Some medical findings suggest that the use of | | | | strength as soon as the cast comes off. |
| hydrogen peroxide can interfere with the | | | | |
| healing process and cause harm to the skin | | | | An Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury |
| tissue. | | | | occurs when an athlete changes direction |
| | | | rapidly, twisting without moving his or her |
| Severe abrasions should be seen and cleaned | | | | feet, slows down abruptly, or misses a |
| by a doctor. However, you can do some things | | | | landing from a jump. The ACL and posterior |
| to aide in the healing of the affected area. | | | | cruciate ligament (PCL) cross each other |
| It's important to keep the injured area clean | | | | around the knee, providing stability. |
| and remove and dirt or debris. Consider using | | | | Typically, injuries to the ACL are a sprain. |
| sodium chloride or Shur-Clens in a syringe to | | | | The ligament is torn or stretched when an |
| cleanse the area. A clean gauze can be used | | | | athlete makes a sudden twisting motion while |
| to gently scrub the area. Products such as | | | | the feet remain planted. These sorts of |
| Second Skin or Bioclusive are ideal for | | | | injuries are often seen in football or |
| covering a severe abrasion wound. Dressings | | | | soccer. While the cause is not completely |
| should be changed every few days to prevent | | | | understood, women are more likely to suffer |
| infection. Keeping the area moist helps to | | | | an ACL tear than men. |
| promote healing, improve tissue formation and | | | | |
| protect from infection. | | | | ACL tears that are incomplete are treated |
| | | | conservatively to allow the body to heal the |
| Any deep lacerations may require stitches to | | | | injury on its own. Ice, rest, compression, |
| heal properly. Cuts that continue to bleed | | | | and elevation are effective immediate |
| after 15 minutes of direct pressure or extend | | | | treatments. Physical therapy is used to build |
| deep into the skin and have edges that fall | | | | muscle strength. For complete tears of the |
| apart may also require stitches. If you are | | | | ACL, surgery is usually required. |
| unsure if you need stitches, you should see a | | | | |