Summer is a time for fun in the sun, but it's also a time when certain injuries and illnesses may be more common. Time spent outdoors around water, in the woods, and playing sports can lead to concussions, fractures, sunburn, dehydration, sprains and other ailments.
Founded in 1994, Oklahoma Sports Science & Orthopedics (OSSO), a division of Healthcare Partners Investments, (HPI), is a complete family healthcare provider. From orthopedics to gastroenterology, OSSO’s team of board-certified experts is committed to delivering innovative care to patients of all ages. We spoke with their physician experts about what injuries are most common during the summer and how to prevent and treat them.
“I think there is a slight increase in injuries during the summer possibly due to athletes coming back to quickly from time off and not being in the best physical fitness condition. Regardless, the most important thing is to maintain fitness and conditioning all year long,” said Ryan Nelson, DO, an Orthopedic Surgeon specializing in shoulder and knee injuries.
“Typically, in summer I see Rotator Cuff and Labral Injuries of the shoulder, ACL and meniscal injuries of the knee. The best way to avoid summer sports injuries is to participate in a sports rehab conditioning program that involves a balance of muscle groups and conditioning.”
However, while some injuries increase during the summer, others decrease. Jason Leinen, M.D., says he typically sees a decrease in football or basketball concussions, but more injuries in summer sports such as soccer or baseball or softball.
“I have also seen more than a few concussion injuries from accidents in or around the pool, giving more reason to obey parents and lifeguards to not run on the wet pavement around the pool,” said Leinen.
“Additionally, as a Primary Care/Sports Medicine physician, I have treated severe sunburns in athletes who do not think about the fact that they may be involved in a tournament and participating in several events over one or two days out in the sun. This can lead to short-term issues like missed practice or games, but also long-term risk for problems like skin cancer. So wear sunscreen, preferably with at least SPF 30, for all outdoor sports activities during the summer. “
While summer invites people outside to enjoy the warm weather and sunshine, Steven Coupens, MD Orthopedic Surgeon, said the nature of injuries tends to change. While a decrease in “team-related” injuries occurs, a significant increase in outdoor-related sports injuries like water sport injuries, running injuries and bicycle injuries go up.
“Water sports injuries can range from knee or ankle ligament injuries due to waterski/wakeboard accidents, or fractures from getting thrown off a jet ski/wave runner,” he said. “Running injuries are usually due to overuse or abrupt changes in the distance or frequency with which someone exercises. Bicycle injuries can vary from back strain, knee problems from poor bike set up or alignment, to very serious injuries from bike-car collision, or to a group of riders being involved in a wreck.”
PREVENTING INJURIES IN SUMMER
Prevention comes in all forms, shapes and sizes. Gradual increase in activities such as running to try and prevent stress related injury is important, as is proper stretching, getting adequate rest to prevent fatigue which can lead to injury, and good nutrition.
Running injuries also increase in the summer, and ankle and foot injuries can have lasting detrimental effects.
“When you suddenly increase the distance and amount of time spent running, it could lead to foot and ankle injuries like stress fractures, tendinitis, metatarsalgia, and plantar fasciitis,” said foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon, Sheri Smith, MD.
Dr. Smith adds that if you experience pain during or after a run, you should rest, ice, and take time off from exercise. If the pain does not resolve in a few days, or it hurts to walk, you should see a foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon. If the pain is sudden or so severe that you can’t put weight on your foot, seek help sooner.
Dr. Barry Northcutt, MD, a knee and shoulder specialist, said many injuries increase in summer as people return too quickly to strenuous active exercise after a less-active winter. Injuries occur when the body becomes fatigued due to not being in optimal shape.
“Patients often get injured as their body fatigues from not being an optimal shape or from returning too quickly to strenuous activities. Many injuries occur as patients push themselves beyond their current reasonable physical limits,” he said.
“The best prevention of summer injuries is by progressively returning to summer conditioning. Have a progressive plan to train and condition for your specific activity. Allow your body adequate time between workouts and activities to recover. Proper diet and hydration, warming up and stretching prior to activities and getting adequate rest when you are fatigued is important.”
“At OSSO, we provide comprehensive treatment for all sports-related injuries at multiple convenient locations across Oklahoma City and the surrounding metro areas. The OSSO fellowship-trained physicians provide treatment for all injuries from head to toe including shoulder, knee, neck, spine, hand, and foot-related problems,” said Coupens.
For more information about OSSO and their network of 33 expert physicians providing orthopedic and specialty care, call 405.427.6776 or visit ossonetwork.com.
OSSO Specialists:
Barry Northcutt, MD-Sports Medicine Specialist, Orthopedic Surgeon/Shoulder and Knee Specialty
- Ryan Nelson, D.O.- Sports Medicine Specialist, Orthopedic Surgeon/Shoulder and Knee Specialty
- Jason Leinen, MD, ATC-Primary Care Specialist, Certified Athletic Trainer, Concussion Specialist
- Steven Coupens, MD- Sports Medicine Specialist, Orthopedic Surgeon/Shoulder and Knee, Foot and Ankle Specialty, Olympic Team Treating Physician-US Cycling Team
- Sheri Smith, MD-Orthopedic Surgeon, Foot and Ankle Specialty