Scenarios
A gymnast lands on their hand and feels pain in the wrist, which becomes swollen. What is the best step for a sports medicine doctor?
A. Apply heat to relax the muscles around the wrist
B. Ice the wrist and recommend rest to reduce swelling
C. Stretch the wrist gently to improve flexibility
D. Have the gymnast continue practice to see if it improves
B. Ice the wrist and recommend rest to reduce swelling
Toward the back of the body
Posterior
A crack, break, or shattering of a bone
Fracture
An acronym for rest, ice, compression, and elevation, a common first aid protocol for acute injuries
RICE
Inflammation of a tendon, often due to overuse
Tendinitis
A basketball player falls and hits their head on the floor. They feel dizzy and a little confused afterward. What should a sports medicine doctor do?
A. Remove the player from the game and check for concussion symptoms
B. Give the player water and let them return if they feel better
C. Ask the player to run a sprint to test coordination
D. Allow the player to rest for a few minutes, then continue
A. Remove the player from the game and check for concussion symptoms
Away from the midline of the body
Lateral
A jarring injury in the brain that can cause temporary dysfunction
Concussion
Treatment using cold, such as ice packs
Cryotherapy
Pain along the shin bone (tibia), typically caused by overuse
Shin Splints
After swimming many laps, an athlete’s shoulder feels sore and stiff, making it hard to lift the arm. What is the best advice from a sports medicine doctor?
A. Keep swimming at a slower pace to stay active
B. Push through the pain to build strength
C. Apply heat right away to loosen the muscles
D. Rest the shoulder and use gentle stretches to recover
D. Rest the shoulder and use gentle stretches to recover
Closer to the center of the body or the point of attachment of a limb.
Proximal
The complete displacement of a bone from its normal position in a joint
Dislocation
Treatment using heat
Thermotherapy
A group of muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint
Rotator Cuff
During a soccer game, a player lands awkwardly and feels sharp pain in the ankle, making it hard to walk. What should a sports medicine doctor do first?
A. Apply ice and elevate the ankle to control swelling
B. Wrap the ankle tightly and send the player back in
C. Massage the ankle to improve circulation
D. Encourage the player to jog slowly to test it
A. Apply ice and elevate the ankle to control swelling
Movement of a body part toward the midline
Adduction
A stretch or tear of a muscle or tendon, which connects muscles to bones
Strain
A program of exercise and therapy to restore an athlete's physical function after an injury
Rehabilitation
A crescent-shaped cartilage in the knee that provides cushioning and stability
Meniscus
After a long run, a runner’s knee feels sore and painful, especially when bending. What should a sports medicine doctor recommend?
A. Rest and ice the knee to reduce pain and swelling
B. Keep running shorter distances to build endurance
C. Suggest stretching before future runs to prevent pain
D. Ignore the soreness since it’s part of training
A. Rest and ice the knee to reduce pain and swelling
A bending movement that decreases the angle of a joint
Flexion
A persistent, long-term injury that develops over time, often due to overuse
The body's ability to sense it's position and movement. Rehabilitating this sense is crucial for preventing re-injury
Proprioception
A ligament on the inner side of the knee that prevents it from bending inward
Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL)