Monthly Archives: March 2014

How Do I Handle a Sports Related Injury?

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With the seasons changing and spring underway, time spent outside being active increases for many people. Children go back to playing outside, organized sports like baseball, softball and soccer start back up, and outdoor enthusiasts may go hiking or biking.

All of these activities are wonderful for our health – from the exercise to the fresh air, getting back outside after a long winter is always refreshing. That is until someone slips on a rock or takes a ball to the hand!

Knowing what to do immediately after an injury happens is critical to the long-term healing of the affected area of the body. We have compiled a list of a few simple steps that will help you manage your hand/wrist related sports injury effectively.

  • Stabilize the hand/wrist. You want to make sure that no further damage takes place.
  • Apply cold therapy to the injured area. This will help reduce swelling making it easier for the medical professional to assess the injury.
  • DO NOT self diagnose! Seek a doctor who handles all aspects of hand/wrist trauma, such as Dr. Rehman, who can analyze, treat and rehab the injury. Having comprehensive care makes it easier on you as a patient.
  • Follow up – whether it’s physical therapy or just an appointment to check up on the healing process, do not skip these steps. The post-trauma care is just as important to long-term success in rehabilitation.
  • Take preventative measures to prevent future injuries, like soft tissue massage!

While we know you might want to get back out on the field, on the road or into the woods, we strongly urge you to follow our guide to managing sports injuries. Dr. Rehman and her team are here to help you through each step of the process.

Help! The Point of My Elbow is Swollen!

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If the point of your elbow is swollen the cause or the condition could be a number of things. Before reading on, know that the best thing you can do for upper extremity pain or injury is see a medical professional board-certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery. Don’t panic though; just because you see someone qualified in orthopedic surgery does not mean you need surgery!

At Midwest Hand Therapy a common elbow condition we see among patients is bursitis. Bursa can be found throughout the entire body; its function is to decrease friction between two surfaces that move in different directions. Bursa is a slippery fluid-containing sac and can be found in our elbows, to allow the skin to move without rubbing against the bone.

When our elbow experiences a repeated injury (such as falling onto the elbow) or is continually rubbed against a hard surface it can irritate the bursa, thus causing bursitis. Olecranon bursitis (bursitis of the elbow) results in pain or swelling at the point of the elbow. It may also hurt to bend or straighten your arm and may have some warmth and redness.

Upon reviewing your symptoms and examining your elbow, your health care provider may recommend a number of treatments including but not limited to: ice packs, wrapping an elastic bandage around your elbow to keep the bursa from swelling more, removal of some of the bursa fluid , and/or taking anti-inflammatory medicine.

Midwest Hand Therapy sees patients of all ages including infants, athletes, musicians, office workers, as well as people recovering from surgery. We encourage you to contact us for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan if your elbow is bothering you. Also, avoid direct contact to the point of your elbow until you’re able to get an appointment. Bursa can be further irritated by leaning your elbow onto a surface such as a desk or countertop.