Conditions We Treat

Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis is an injury of the Achilles tendon (back of ankle). This tendon, sometimes called the ‘heel cord’, attaches the calf muscle to the heel. It is important for standing on your toes or for push-off during walking, running or jumping.

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Ankle Sprain

An ankle sprain is a torn or stretched ligament in the ankle. Signs of an ankle injury include pain, swelling and tenderness in the ankle that may spread to the whole ankle and foot, and trouble walking.

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Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tear

An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is a sprain of one of the four major ligaments of the knee. The ACL is a rope-like structure that helps maintain the normal position of the femur (thigh bone) and the tibia (leg bone).

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Avulsion Fracture of the Iliac Crest

Avulsion fractures occur when a small piece of bone is separated from the main bone due to the pull of the muscle and tendon attached to it.

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Avulsion Fractures of the Ischial Tuberosity of the Pelvis

Avulsion fractures happen when a small piece of bone is pulled away by a muscle or tendon. The ischial tuberosity, located in the buttocks, is where the hamstring tendons attach to the pelvis. These fractures often occur in teenagers.

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Back Sciatica

The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body. Sciatica is caused by increased pressure placed on the sciatic nerve, most commonly from a herniated disk.

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Biceps Tendonitis and Tenosynovitis (Distal)

Distal biceps tendonitis is pain at the front of the elbow and upper arm caused by inflammation (swelling) of the biceps tendon. Tenosynovitis is inflammation of the tendon sheath that surrounds the biceps tendon.

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Chronic Ankle Instability

Chronic ankle instability happens when your ankle keeps giving way, especially after many sprains. This makes it hard to walk or play sports without your ankle feeling weak or wobbly. It can happen even when you’re just standing still.

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Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Cancer

Alternative therapy is a nonconventional approach to healing. It may be used instead of standard treatment or in combination with standard medicine. Read on to learn more.

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Contact Sports and Kids: How to Keep Your Children Safe

Kids are more susceptible to sports injuries than adults because they are still growing and developing. The risk for injury is even greater if the child plays a contact sport, such as basketball, football, or soccer.

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Elbow Dislocation

The elbow joint is made up of three bones. An elbow dislocation is an injury to the elbow joint that causes the humerus and ulna to be moved from their normal spot, so they no longer fit together. 

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Eye Medicine and Vitamin K Injection for Newborns

Newborn babies routinely receive eye medicine and a vitamin K injection soon after birth. Both prevent serious conditions.

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Femoral Anteversion

Femoral anteversion is an inward turn of the thigh bone, which can cause the knees and toes to point in.

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Greater Trochanter Bursitis

A bursa is a fluid-filled sac, like a water balloon. It reduces rubbing between the bone and the surrounding soft tissue, like muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Bursitis occurs when there is swelling and pain in a bursa.

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Growth Plate Injuries

The physis, or growth plate, is an area of growing bone near the ends of long bones. Bones grow longer from the tissue produced by the physis and then harden.

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Hip Flexor Strain

The hip flexor muscles are in the front of the thigh. They are made up of the iliopsoas (i-lee-uh-sow-uhs), sartorius (saar-taw-ree-is), and rectus femoris (rek-tuhs feh-mr-uhs) muscles. They allow the hip to lift up, or flex. Muscle attaches to bone via a tendon.

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Hip Pointer (Iliac Crest Contusion)

A hip pointer is a bruise to the bone on the side of the hip called the iliac crest. It is usually from a direct hit to the hip. Bruises cause bleeding from small blood vessels that split, allowing blood to leak into the muscles, tendons, or other soft tissues.

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Home Page - Adolescent Medicine

Detailed information on adolescent medicine, including growth and development, cognitive development, relationship development, health and injury problems, and safety

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Iliac Apophysitis

Iliac apophysitis (uh-paa-fuh-sai-tuhs) is pain and swelling (inflammation) of the growth plate along the side of the hip (iliac crest). The growth plate is an area of weakness, and injury to it occurs because of repeated stress or forceful exercise.

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Labral Tear of Hip

The labrum is a piece of cartilage that lines the socket (acetabulum) of the hip joint. It provides strength and cushions the hip joint. A tear in the labrum can result from injury, repeated wear-and-tear to the hip joint, or from a bony deformity (impingement) in the hip joint.

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Lateral Collateral Ligament Sprain

The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) is one of the 4 major ligaments of the knee. An injury to the LCL alone is not common and often occurs with knee injuries.

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Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)

Lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, is an injury to the outer side of the elbow where the muscles and tendons attach to the bone. The muscles or tendons of the forearm that pull your wrist back (extend the wrist) get damaged.

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Lateral Malleolus Avulsion Fractures

Avulsion fractures are breaks or splits in the bone.

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Lisfranc Injury

A Lisfranc injury occurs when the ligaments in the middle part of the foot are sprained. That causes some of the foot bones to move out of position. It may or may not involve a break (fracture) of the bones.

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Little Leaguer's Elbow

Little leaguer’s elbow is an injury to the medial epicondylar growth plate of the inner elbow. The growth plate is a weak area. Injury to it occurs due to repeated stress.

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Lumbar Facet Syndrome

The facet joints are the links between the bones of the spine. They allow the spine to bend and twist and keep the back from slipping too far forward or twisting too far. Injury to one or more of the facet joints can cause pain and irritation known as lumbar facet syndrome.

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Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebra (LSTV)

The lumbar spine (low back) normally has 5 vertebral bones that attach to the sacrum (bone at the bottom of the spine). The lumbosacral spine supports the majority of the body’s weight and protects the primary nerves that arise from the spinal cord.

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Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer's Elbow)

Medial epicondylitis, or golfer’s elbow, is an injury to the inner side of the elbow where the muscles and tendons attach to the bone. The muscles and tendons of the forearm that bring your wrist down (extend the wrist) get damaged.

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Medicine Rashes in Children

Medicine rashes are the body’s reaction to a certain medicine. The type of rash that occurs depends on the type of medicine that is causing it. Rashes can range from mild to severe.

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Meniscus Tear

The meniscus is a C-shaped structure in the knee that acts as a shock absorber between the thigh bone (femur) and the shin bone (tibia). The meniscus can tear due to a blow to the knee, twisting, pivoting, kneeling, squatting or fast change in running direction.

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Menstrual Dysfunction in the Athlete

Many things can cause changes in hormone levels. These changes can lead to irregular or missed periods, especially in athletes.

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Metatarsal Stress Fracture

A metatarsal stress fracture is a break in the foot which involves one or more of the long foot bones (metatarsals). It is caused by intense exercise or repeat pressure on the foot.

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Metatarsalgia

Metatarsalgia (met-uh-tahr-sal-juh) refers to pain in the ball of the foot (metatarsal heads). This is the part of the foot where you push off when walking or running. This pain can occur in one or more of the toes. It usually involves the second and third toes.

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Mid-Back Strain

A mid-back strain is an injury to the muscles and ligaments of the middle back that attach to the ribs, chest wall and the thoracic spine. 

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Morton's Neuroma

Morton’s neuroma is a nerve disorder in the foot. It causes pain and loss of feeling between 2 toes. It is caused by thickening of the tissue around the nerve (interdigital nerve) between the metatarsal bones of the foot, near the toes.

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Osteitis Pubis

Osteitis pubis (Aa-stee-ai-tuhs Pyoo buhs) is an overuse injury at the front of the hip at the symphysis pubis joint. The symphysis pubis connects 2 of the main bones of the pelvis. The symphysis pubis is made up of the pubic bones, cartilage, a joint capsule, and joint fluid.

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Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Capitellum (OCD)

Osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum (OCD) is a condition that affects the outside surface of the elbow that involves a separation of a segment of cartilage and the underlying bone. The bone underneath the joint’s cartilage is damaged due to lack of blood flow, causing pain.

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Pelvic Apophysitis

Apophysitis (uh-paa-fuh-sai-tuhs) is pain and swelling (inflammation) of a growth plate that has a muscle attached to it and can happen in many locations throughout the body. The growth plate is an area of weakness and is prone to injury.

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Pes Planus

Pes planus, also known as flat feet, is when the foot’s arch is lowered or flattened out. Some people have an arch when their foot is not in contact with the ground, but when they put their foot on the ground with weight, their arch goes away.

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Piriformis Syndrome

Piriformis (pee-ruh-for-muhs) syndrome is a rare condition in the back of the hip, causing pain and sometimes loss of feeling in the back of the thigh. Pain often goes down to the bottom of the foot.

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Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis (plan-taar fa-shee-ai-tus) occurs when there is pain and stiffness of the main fascia (a fibrous connective tissue) on the bottom of the foot. The plantar fascia connects the heel bone to the toes and gives the arch of the foot support.

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Preventing Sports Injury in Children

Detailed information on sports safety for kids, including safety gear and equipment

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Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Dysfunction

The sacroiliac (SI) joint connects the hip and pelvis with the lower spine. SI joint dysfunction is a condition with pain experienced anywhere in the lower back, hips, buttocks and sometimes lower legs. 

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Sacroiliitis

Sacroiliitis is the swelling (inflammation) of either one or both of the sacroiliac (SI) joints. 

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Scaphoid Fracture

The scaphoid is one of 8 carpal bones located in the wrist. A scaphoid fracture is a break of the scaphoid bone.

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Scheuermann's Disease

Scheuermann’s disease is a condition of the mid-back related to the shape of the vertebrae and the curve of the spinal column. Normally, vertebrae are about the same size and rectangular-shaped. With Scheuermann’s disease, the vertebrae become wedge-shaped and a person’s posture may change. 

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Schmorl's Nodes

A Schmorl’s node is a bulge (protrusion) of the jelly-like contents of the vertebral disc into the growth cartilage of bone (vertebra) above or below the disc. 

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Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a condition where there is an abnormal curve of the spine. Most cases are idiopathic, meaning there is no known cause. However, some cases are related to neurological conditions or seen in children with birth defects.

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Sesamoid Stress Fracture

A sesamoid stress fracture is an overuse injury of the sesamoid bones in the foot. Sesamoid bones are bones that develop in the tendons. 

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Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE)

Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis is a hip injury that involves the growth plate (physis) of the thigh (femur) bone. This injury occurs when the neck of the femur (metaphysis) moves in relation to the ball on the top part of the femur (epiphysis).

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Snapping Hip Syndrome

Snapping hip syndrome is caused by tendons snapping over bony bumps (prominences) in the hip.

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Spinous Process Apophysitis

Spinous process apophysitis is an injury to an apophysis in the low back.

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Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis is the slippage of one or more of the bones of the spine (vertebra) from its correct position. There are many causes for the slippage, but most cases are due to overuse.

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Spondylolysis

Spondylolysis is a stress fracture of the vertebrae (back bones). The fracture does not involve the main weight-bearing part, or body of the vertebrae.

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Sports and Children with Special Needs

Children with special needs are sometimes not encouraged to exercise, because their parents or guardians fear they'll be injured. But physical activity is as important for children with special needs as it is for any child.

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Sports Hernia

A sports hernia is a soft tissue injury in the groin area. It often occurs during sports that require repeated kicking or quick change of direction.

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Sports Injuries and Children

Detailed information on sports injuries in children, including overuse injuries, sprains, strains, and heat-related illnesses

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Sports Medicine: Adductor Muscle Strain

Adductors are a group of muscles that go from the pelvic bone down to the inner thigh and knee. An adductor strain is an injury to one of these muscles.

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Sports Medicine: Ankle Dislocation or Subluxation

The ankle joint is made up of two lower leg bones and a foot bone. A dislocation is an injury to a joint causing the bones to no longer meet together correctly. In the ankle, this can occur when the talus no longer is in position with the tibia and fibula. A subluxation is a partial dislocation.

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Sports Medicine: Anterior Ankle Impingement

Anterior ankle impingement is pain and pinching of bone, soft tissue or scar tissue at the front of the ankle. This can happen after a new or old injury.

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Sports Medicine: Anterior Tibialis Tendonitis

Anterior tibialis tendonitis is an injury of the anterior tibialis tendon in the front of the ankle where it meets the foot. The tendon is important in pulling the foot up (dorsiflexion), lifting the foot off the ground while running, and in turning the foot inward (inversion).

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Sports Medicine: Apophysitis of the 5th Metatarsal Iselin’s Disease

Iselin’s disease is pain and swelling of the growth plate (apophysis) of the 5th metatarsal. 

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Sports Medicine: Cervical Strain and Sprain

A cervical strain or sprain is an injury to the muscles or ligaments in the back of the neck.

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Sports Medicine: Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease is the slow breakdown of one or more intervertebral discs.

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Sports Medicine: Deltoid Ligament Sprain

The deltoid ligament is a triangle-shaped ligament on the inner ankle which is stronger and more compact than the outer ligaments. Deltoid injuries are very rare and most happen with eversion or along with a high ankle sprain.

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Sports Medicine: Herniated Disc

A herniated disc is a condition that affects the spine. A disc has a tough outside shell and jelly-like center. A herniated disc occurs when the jelly-like contents of the disc leak out.

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Sports Medicine: High Ankle Sprain

A high ankle sprain is the stretching and/or tearing of the ligaments that connect the shin bones just above the ankle. High ankle sprains are less common than other ankle sprains and typically more severe.

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Sports Medicine: Kyphosis and Lordosis

Kyphosis and lordosis refer to the natural curves of the spine in the mid-back and low back. Sometimes these curves can be larger than normal which can lead to pain.

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Sports Medicine: Low Back Strain/Sprain

The low back is a complex structure of bone and muscle that is supported by cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and fed by a network of blood vessels and nerves. Certain motions, such as bending, twisting or lifting, can sometimes lead to a low back strain or sprain.

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Sports Medicine: Osgood Schlatter Disease

Osgood-Schlatter disease is an inflammation (swelling) of the growth plate of the leg just below the knee at the tibial tubercle (the bump below the kneecap).

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Sports Medicine: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFS)

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome is pain in the knee due to increased pressure between the kneecap and the thigh bone. Usually a result of poor alignment or sudden growth spurts, this pain may also come from an injury to the knee.

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Sports Medicine: Posterior Tibialis Tendonitis

Posterior tibialis tendonitis is an injury of the posterior tibialis tendon in the back of the inner ankle.

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Sports Medicine: Salter-Harris Fracture-Type I of Distal Fibula

A Salter-Harris type 1 fracture is the mildest type of fracture that can occur to a growth plate.

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Sports Medicine: Sever's Disease

Sever’s disease is a painful condition of the heel that occurs in growing children.

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Sports Medicine: Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

Impingement syndrome is pain in the shoulder caused by pinching of the rotator cuff muscles beneath the edge of the shoulder blade (acromion).

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Sports Safety for Children

Because they are still growing, children are more susceptible to sports injuries. Half of those injuries could be prevented with proper safety gear, safer playing environments, and established safety rules.

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Sports Safety for Teens

Detailed information on sports safety

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Sports Safety—Identifying High-Risk Situations

Playing sports has many benefits for a child. But the correct safety measures need to be taken. Read on to learn more.

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Stress Fracture

A fracture is a broken bone. A stress fracture is a complete or incomplete break in a bone. It is caused by repetitive activity.

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Tarsal Coalition

Tarsal coalition occurs when there is an abnormal connection between the bones in the back of the foot (tarsal bones). There may be no symptoms, but often some develop in the early teens or as a young adult.

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The Pediatric Sports Medicine Specialist

A pediatric sports medicine specialist is a healthcare provider who helps children with injuries caused during sports or athletic activities.

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Tibial Stress Fracture

The tibia (shin bone) is the larger, and major weight bearing bone, of the two lower leg bones. A tibial stress fracture is a complete or incomplete break that develops over time, usually as a result of repeated activity.

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Topic Index - Adolescent Medicine

Detailed information on adolescent medicine, including growth and development, cognitive development, relationship development, health and injury problems, and safety

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Turf Toe

Turf toe is an injury to the capsule and ligaments of the joint at the base of the big (first) toe. Pain is usually worst on the bottom of the foot.

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Vertebral Compression Fracture

A vertebral compression fracture happens when the backbone (vertebra) breaks by being squeezed.

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Watching for Internal Sports Injury in a Child

Internal abdominal injuries from blunt trauma are serious injuries that occur when the body hits or collides with a large object. These types of injuries are most common in contact sports like football, ice hockey, soccer, and lacrosse.

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What Is Sports Medicine

Sports medicine healthcare providers have special training to restore function to injured patients so they can get moving again as soon as possible. They are experts on preventing illness and injury in active people.

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Workouts to Help Prevent Sports Injuries

It may not always be possible to avoid injury when playing sports, especially physical contact sports. But there are things kids can do to protect themselves. Preparing before and after a game or practice session by warming up muscles and then stretching can help.

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Helping Hands Patient Education Materials

Written and illustrated by medical, nursing and allied health professionals at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Helping Hand instructions are intended as a supplement to verbal instructions provided by a medical professional. The information is periodically reviewed and revised to reflect our current practice. However, Nationwide Children's Hospital is not responsible for any consequences resulting from the use or misuse of the information in the Helping Hands.