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Sports Medicine

Top Five Sports-Related Orthopedic Injuries

Whether they’re training or competing, athletes are at a higher risk of getting injured. At Paris Orthopedics, we specialize in the treatment and prevention of these sports-related orthopedic injuries. While there are ways to minimize this risk, such as staying hydrated, stretching, and getting the appropriate amount of rest, there is no way to eliminate the possibility of injury. If you find yourself with a sudden, nagging, or reoccurring sports injury, the providers at Paris Orthopedic are here to help. We are committed to helping our patients overcome and avoid these conditions through proper diagnosis, treatment, and education. While we treat a wide array of conditions, some sports injuries are more common than others. This is why we’re taking time to outline the most common sports-related orthopedic injuries 

Ankle Sprains

Sprained ankles are an incredibly common sports injury, with an estimated 2 million occurring each year in the United States. In fact, nearly half of all ankle sprains occur while taking part in an athletic activity. While sprained ankles can typically be mended at home with ice and rest, they can potentially result in tendon or ligament tears that may require professional medical attention. 

Shoulder Injury

Many different types of shoulder injuries can occur while playing sports. Shoulder instability, impingement, frozen shoulder, and rotator cuff tears are all conditions specialists can treat at Paris Orthopedics. Sports that most commonly cause shoulder injuries include football, weight lifting, swimming, and volleyball. 

Runner’s Knee

Runner’s knee is caused by overuse of the joint in the knee, leading to stress on the tendon below the kneecap. Because Paris Orthopedics aims to exhaust all conservative treatment options first, the initial treatment plan typically consists of ice, elevation, and rest, with the possible addition of short-term medication. Once the inflammation has subsided, physical therapy can help restore your knee’s strength and range of motion. If the cause of runner’s knee is due to underlying problems with the cartilage, then surgical options may be the best option.

Tennis Elbow/Golfer’s Elbow

The degeneration of the tendon on the outside of the elbow is commonly referred to as either tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow since both of these sports require repetitive motions of the wrists and arm that can lead to overuse of the tendon. This condition is typically painful but fortunately can be treated by non-surgical options most of the time. If standard ice and rest practices are not effective, cortisone injections and physical therapy may be able to help. If symptoms do not improve over time, contact a provider at Paris Orthopedics.

Ligament/Tendon Tears

Ligaments, muscles, and tendons are present in every area of the body, making it possible for an athlete to suffer a strain or tear while playing sports. While specific treatments depend on the area and the severity of the teat, general rest, elevation, and ice are recommended initial courses of action. Seek medical attention if you hear a popping sound or if you’re unable to walk.

Consult an Orthopedic Specialist

The team at Paris Orthopedics and Sports Medicine is dedicated to helping our patients recover from a wide range of orthopedic conditions. Our services include general orthopedic medicine, joint replacement, sports injury treatment, and osteoporosis treatments at our bone health clinic. If you have questions about sports-related orthopedic injuries, call (903) 737-0000 to make an appointment.

 

Pediatric Ortho

What to Do If Your Child Breaks a Bone

With summer in full swing, we have the opportunity to spend more time outdoors. Particularly with the kids out of school, they’re likely spending their free time playing sports, catching up with friends, and engaging in summertime activities. With this uptick in activity comes the possibility of injury, particularly bone fractures, in children. Most broken bones in kids are a result of falling, whether that’s falling off a bike, a horse, or even slipping while running or moving around the pool. If it’s your child’s first broken bone, they may not know how to react, leading to a delay in treatment. To ensure you’re getting your child the medical attention they need and promoting healthy bone repair and growth, we’re breaking down what to do if your child breaks a bone.

Signs the Bone Might be Broken

In our past blogs, we have discussed how tricky it can be to self-diagnose your own broken bone, but it can be even more challenging to diagnose a broken bone in your child. Some indications of a broken bone include hearing a cracking sound or a snap, but if you weren’t around your child at the time of the fracture, there’s no way of knowing how the fracture happened or how it sounded. Fortunately, there are other signs to look for that would indicate a broken bone. Some of these signs include:

  • Bruising, discoloration, or swelling
  • Crookedness or deformation
  • The inability or unwillingness to move or put weight on the injured area

If you can identify any of these signs in your child, seek medical attention immediately. Leaving a broken bone untreated can lead to the bone healing incorrectly, which can leave your child with mobility problems down the line. Keep in mind that an injury that doesn’t immediately look like a fracture may end up being a broken bone. In some cases, your child may still be able to use the injured area immediately after the break, or the swelling may not take place until a couple of hours after the initial injury. If your child is still reporting pain after several hours, it’s a good idea to get the injury checked out just in case.

What to Do If Your Child Breaks a Bone

After you’ve suspected your child has broken a bone, head straight to the emergency room. You can make the trip more comfortable by propping up the injured area with a towel or pillow and using an ice pack to reduce swelling. If the fracture is more severe, resulting in your child being in too much pain to move, or if the broken bone protrudes from the skin, it’s better to call an ambulance rather than drive your child to the hospital yourself. Moving your child in the event of a severe fracture may make the injury worse.

Follow-Up Care

In addition to the cast, splint, or other treatment ordered by a doctor, there are additional steps you can take to promote recovery. Ensuring that your child receives a nutritious diet with calcium and vitamin D can help support healthy bone development. It’s also essential that you go to all necessary follow-up appointments to avoid growth-plate fracture, a condition more common in children that occurs when the layer of growing soft tissue is damaged. For any complications with fractures or any questions about bone care, call Paris Orthopedics. Fracture care is one of our specialties, and one of our expert providers will be sure to give you and your child the highest quality of care.

Consult an Orthopedic Specialist

The team at Paris Orthopedics and Sports Medicine is dedicated to helping our patients recover from a wide range of orthopedic conditions. Our services include general orthopedic medicine, joint replacement, sports injury treatment, and osteoporosis treatments at our bone health clinic. If you have questions about the broken bones or bone health, call (903) 737-0000 to make an appointment.

Joint Replacement

3 Treatment Options for Arthritis

Arthritis is a prevalent joint condition that affects nearly a quarter of all adults. While a large portion of the population deals with arthritis, there are many forms that develop from various causes. Fortunately, there are a couple of different treatment options available to best suit individual cases of arthritis. Depending on the type or severity of arthritis, treatments typically range from medication to surgical procedures. To help give you an idea of what may work best for you, we’re explaining three different treatment options for arthritis.

Medication

Arthritis can attack different areas of the body, which means that there are many kinds of remedies within each treatment category. This is certainly the case when it comes to medication. Depending on the type and severity of your arthritis, medications such as NSAIDs, painkillers, DMARDs, corticosteroids, or counterirritants may help. These medications come in various forms, including creams, ointments, injections, and pill forms. If you’re experiencing chronic pain associated with arthritis, contact your doctor to see if medication is the right option for you.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy is also an effective way to increase mobility and range of motion in various areas of the body. Depending on your arthritis, a physical therapist may help teach you proper posture and body mechanics to reduce pain in your day-to-day life. They may also teach specific exercises to improve strength and flexibility. Working one on one with a physical therapist allows for an opportunity to discuss your specific form and severity of arthritis. These appointments also allow for personalized suggestions when it comes to extra support materials, such as braces or shoe inserts, in addition to specific instructions on hot and cold therapy practices to ease joint pain and stiffness.

Surgery

Joint Replacement

No matter if your joint pain is due to age, disease, or other causes, Paris Orthopedic offers joint replacement surgery to help you achieve a better quality of life. Depending on your specific needs, Paris Orthopedics provides both partial and total joint replacement procedures. Our team prefers to exhaust all non-surgical options first, but if these treatments are not effective, there are minimally invasive joint replacement procedures available. Some of these minimally invasive surgical options include joint realignment, ligament reconstruction, and arthroscopy, all of which are performed through tiny incisions rather than open surgery.

If your specific condition requires open surgery, you can be assured that you are in the hands of six skilled and experienced orthopedic surgeons. During joint replacement surgery, your surgeon will remove all or part of the damaged joint and place a prosthesis, a type of artificial joint, in its place. Before any surgery, either open or minimally invasive, you will have ample time to discuss with your provider to ensure the best possible treatment for you.

Consult an Orthopedic Specialist

The team at Paris Orthopedics and Sports Medicine is dedicated to helping our patients recover from a wide range of orthopedic conditions. Our services include general orthopedic medicine, joint replacement, sports injury treatment, and osteoporosis treatments at our bone health clinic. If you have questions about joint pain, arthritis, or treatment plans, call (903) 737-0000 to make an appointment.

General Ortho

Is Your Footwear Causing your Foot Pain?

As the weather gets warmer, we all start to transition from our winter footwear to our summer footwear. While our cold-weather boots may be heavy and bulky, they’re typically more supportive and secure than many sandals and other warm-weather shoe styles. There are a number of criteria footwear needs to meet in order to be considered supportive. When choosing shoes, you should consider ankle, arch, and heel support as well as protection and shock absorption. Footwear that doesn’t meet these requirements can lead to foot pain, plantar fasciitis, blisters, strained tendons, and more. To help prepare you for the summer season, we are running through a list of instances where your footwear could be causing your foot pain. 

Flip Flops

As convenient as flip-flops may be, this popular summer style could single-handedly be causing your foot pain. Flip-flops flat-soled shoes don’t offer any support or stability. Prolonged wear may even affect how you walk or stand. In addition, running or jumping in flip-flops puts you at a higher risk of injury. A good alternative to this warm weather shoe style is a well-fitted supportive sandal with secure straps around the foot and ankle that is made out of a quality fabric like leather.

High Heels

High-heeled shoes put your feet in unnatural positions that can lead to pain and foot problems down the road. This style creates pressure on the toes and can disrupt your balance and increase the risk of injury like sprained or broken ankles. High-heeled shoes not only contribute to causing your foot pain while you wear them, but they may also cause foot pain even after you take them off.

Pointed Shoes

Shoes with a pointed toe also constrict the natural shape of your foot. By squeezing your toes together at the front of the shoe, this style can cause blisters, bunions, and even nerve pain. 

Old Athletic Shoes

While sneakers are typically one of the best options for supporting your feet, you can still run into issues over time when your shoes are worn out. At Paris Orthopedics, sports medicine is one of our specialties, so we regularly treat athletes that spend a lot of time on their feet. Depending on the sport, the appropriate footwear is designed to offer optimum support, motion control, and cushioning to minimize foot injuries. As a general rule of thumb, if the lining of your athletic shoe doesn’t bounce back when you press on it, it’s likely time to get a new pair of shoes.

Ill-Fitting Shoes

While there are specific shoe styles that lend themselves to be either better or worse for your feet, the primary element when it comes to foot health is the fit of the shoe. To get the correct fit, we recommend getting your feet measured. Shoe size may change as you age, and in many cases, feet are different sizes. Having a professional measure your feet will help ensure that you are optimizing the health of your foot. 

Consult an Orthopedic Specialist

No matter what may be causing your foot pain, the team at Paris Orthopedics and Sports Medicine is here to help. Our staff is dedicated to helping our patients recover from a wide range of orthopedic conditions. Our services include general orthopedic medicine, joint replacement, sports injury treatment, and osteoporosis treatments at our bone health clinic. If you have questions about the options available to treat shoulder pain, call (903) 737-0000 to make an appointment.

 

Injury Prevention

Exercising Through Pain: When to Keeping Going and When to Rest

Whether you’re new to working out or if you exercise regularly, it’s likely that you’ve experienced some form of pain. When it comes to fitness, the saying “no pain, no gain” is commonly used, and while there is some truth to this, it’s also essential to stay in tune with what your body needs. Sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish when your body should rest and when you should push through the pain to achieve your fitness goals. Because each body is unique, there’s no one size fits all answer when it comes to exercising through pain, so we urge you to review the following factors to decipher when to keep going and when you should rest.

Check-in with your body

Many athletes credit pushing past the pain of working out to create a breakthrough in their fitness goals. Both weight-bearing and cardiovascular exercise inflict stress on the body to help build endurance and strength. While exercising, some of the immediate “good” pain you may feel is commonly referred to as “the burn,” or you may become winded. It’s important to check in with your body throughout your workout, as you may also feel a burning sensation if your form is incorrect, which can lead to injury. It’s also important to slow down or rest if you feel lightheaded or dizzy while exercising.

Exercising through pain: when to keep going

After a workout, it’s normal to feel sore. Soreness is a product of microtears that allow your muscles to become stronger and larger. While it may feel like you are too sore to do anything after a particularly strenuous workout, it’s OK to exercise. In many cases, exercising may actually help you feel less sore. Pain after working out, including soreness or mild joint pain, can also be lessened or avoided by decreasing your resistance, the number of reps, or adjusting your form.

Exercising through pain: when to rest

Any “burn” you may feel while working out should be gradual and subside after the workout concludes. This means that any sudden, sharp, or persistent pain acts as a sign that it’s time to stop. This type of pain indicates injury or possible injury and can occur with overuse or incorrect form. If you experience any nagging, sharp, or sudden pain, take some time to rest, ice the area, and take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. If the pain persists after this recovery period, it may be time to contact a specialist at Paris Orthopedics. You should also consider contacting us for:

  • Pain that prevents you from moving a body part or decreases your range of motion.
  • Pain in an area that was previously injured or where you’ve had surgery before.
  • Pain that accompanies deformity or massive swelling.
  • Constant pain or pain that worsens in severity.
  • Pain that also has pressure or bruising in the area.
  • Intense pain that causes nausea or vomiting.
  • Pain that is accompanied by fevers and chills.
  • Pain that interferes with your sleep or keeps you up at night

Avoiding painful exercise

The best way to avoid exercise-induced injuries is to start at your own pace and skill level and check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program. If you’re new to working out, it’s probably not a good idea to jump straight into CrossFit. Take time to learn the proper form in all activities, and then slowly increase the intensity, resistance, or duration of your workout over time. If you have past injuries, be mindful of certain exercises that may be too hard on your body. Activities like swimming, Pilates, or yoga are low impact but can still target the whole body. Whenever you start a new exercise program, we recommend that you start with an instructor to help ensure that you’re practicing with the correct form. 

Consult an Orthopedic Specialist

The team at Paris Orthopedics and Sports Medicine is dedicated to helping our patients recover from a wide range of orthopedic conditions. Our services include general orthopedic medicine, joint replacement, sports injury treatment, and osteoporosis treatments at our bone health clinic. If you have questions about pain while exercising, call (903) 737-0000 to make an appointment.

General Ortho

How to Treat Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain is one of the most commonly reported ailments by Paris Orthopedic patients. While shoulder pain may seem one-dimensional, many underlying causes contribute to the area. In some cases, pain from the neck can radiate towards the shoulders, and in other cases, the pain may be caused by the joints, ligaments, or tendons. Depending on the cause of the shoulder pain, treatment options vary between non-surgical options, minimally invasive surgery, and open surgery. In this blog, we will go through the four primary categories of shoulder problems and the options available to treat your shoulder pain.

We have found that most shoulder problems can be sorted into four categories: tendon inflammation, instability, arthritis, or fracture. It’s important to note that if your shoulder pain prohibits using your arm, or is accompanied by a fever or pain that worsens at night, you should immediately seek medical attention.

Tendon Inflammation

There are many different conditions that can lead to the inflammation of the tendons. Bursitis occurs when excessive shoulder use leads to swelling and inflammation of the small, fluid-filled sacs in the joints called bursae. Another condition that may lead to tendon inflammation is tendinitis or tendon tears. Tendinitis is classified as either acute or chronic. Acute tendinitis is typically caused by activity, while chronic tendinitis comes about with age or as a result of arthritis. Fortunately, most conditions leading to tendon inflammation can be treated with non-surgical options such as rest, application of heat and ice, and over-the-counter pain relievers. If the pain does not subside or worsens, visit a Paris Orthopedics specialist to resolve your symptoms.

Instability

Shoulder instability or dislocation occurs when the upper arm is dislodged from the shoulder socket. Dislocation can be partial (known as subluxation) or complete and may be caused by overuse or sudden injury. After the initial dislocation, treatment usually begins by resting, icing, and taking pain relievers to reduce inflammation. A sling can temporarily immobilize the shoulder and help with pain. Once the inflammation has subsided, physical therapy can help strengthen and regain the range of motion. Depending on the severity of the dislocation, the shoulder may still feel loose or unstable after physical therapy. In some cases, surgery can help reattach or tighten ligaments that were altered at the time of the dislocation.

Arthritis

Shoulder arthritis is a condition that we commonly treat at Paris Orthopedics. The most common form of arthritis in the shoulder is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is typically caused by years of use in work or sports. Non-surgical treatments for shoulder pain caused by arthritis include hot or cold therapy, stretching, and weight training, or physical therapy. Medicines like cortisone injections may also aid in pain relief. In some cases, joint replacement surgery may become necessary when all other treatments have been ineffective in reducing pain and improving mobility.

Fracture

Bone fractures, commonly known as broken bones, occur from sudden injury and require immediate medical attention. The most frequently broken bone is the collarbone or clavicle, with other shoulder fractures taking place in the upper arm bone or shoulder blade. While fractures in other body parts may require surgeries or operations, shoulder fractures are most commonly non-displaced, which means that the bones just need time immobilized in a sling to heal properly. In about 20% of cases, shoulder fractures will be classified as displaced and may require additional medical intervention to restore the normal bone structure.

Consult an Orthopedic Specialist

No matter what may be causing your shoulder pain, the team at Paris Orthopedics and Sports Medicine is here to help. Our staff is dedicated to helping our patients recover from a wide range of orthopedic conditions. Our services include general orthopedic medicine, joint replacement, sports injury treatment, and osteoporosis treatments at our bone health clinic. If you have questions about the options available to treat shoulder pain, call (903) 737-0000 to make an appointment.

General Ortho

Top Five Myths About Arthritis

Arthritis is defined as the swelling or tenderness of one or more of the joints. In the United States, 23% of adults have some form of this condition. Considering this percentage amounts to more than 54 million people having arthritis, it’s not surprising that myths have formed and continue to circulate surrounding this common condition. In order to supply information that can help you with your arthritis, it’s important to know what is fact, and what is fiction. In this blog, we aim to debunk the top five myths about arthritis and educate you on tried and true treatment plans.

1. Joint Pain = Arthritis

While the primary symptoms of arthritis include joint pain and stiffness, not all joint pain is indicative of arthritis. Various other conditions including tendonitis, sprains, and bursitis can all lead to swelling and pain around the joints. Visiting a specialist at Paris Orthopedics can help determine what is causing your joint pain.

2. Arthritis only occurs in the elderly

While the risk of arthritis increases with age, it can occur at any age. In fact, juvenile arthritis affects nearly 300,000 children. Some of the primary arthritis risk factors are completely unrelated to age, such as family history, obesity, and previous joint damage.

3. Exercising is bad for your arthritis

Arthritis may make exercise more difficult, but that doesn’t mean that you should stop exercising. In fact, the opposite is true. Staying active can actually help manage pain associated with arthritis. The CDC recommends that adults with arthritis should aim to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week. Walking, aerobics and elliptical training are all examples of weight-bearing activities that can help treat arthritis.

4. Arthritis can’t be prevented or treated 

While there are certain risk factors that cannot be prevented or avoided when it comes to arthritis, there are ways to delay the onset of certain types of arthritis and to reduce your overall risk. Maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, wearing proper protective sports equipment, and practicing good form during physical activity can all help to prevent certain types of arthritis. If you currently have arthritis, there are ways to treat the condition or to help manage symptoms. A specialist at Paris Orthopedics can help you determine certain lifestyle changes, medications or vitamins that can work for you.

5. Heat is better for arthritis than ice

Both heat and cold can be useful for arthritis. Heat can help relax the muscles and relieve joint stiffness, and cold can help to reduce inflammation and pain. While you can opt for whatever feels comfortable, oftentimes alternating between heat and cold, or using heat in the morning and cold at night can be effective in reducing joint pain associated with arthritis.

Consult an Orthopedic Specialist

The team at Paris Orthopedics and Sports Medicine is dedicated to helping our patients recover from a wide range of orthopedic conditions. Our services include general orthopedic medicine, joint replacement, sports injury treatment, and osteoporosis treatments at our bone health clinic. If you have questions about joint pain, arthritis, or treatment plans, call (903) 737-0000 to make an appointment.

General Ortho

Why You Should See an Orthopedic Doctor

Between home remedies and a variety of doctors and specialists to choose from, it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish between what injuries you should see a doctor for, which injuries to try and mend at home, and which injuries require the specialized qualifications of an orthopedic doctor. As a general rule of thumb, any persistent joint pain, daily soreness or stiffness, or injury that is taking a long time to heal could all be reasons to see an orthopedic doctor. For more specific reasons why you should see an orthopedic doctor, read about some of the ways an orthopedic specialist can help you.

Diagnosing and Treating Pain

Orthopedic doctors specialize in the entire musculoskeletal system. This system includes joints, muscles, nerves, bone, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. This vast understanding of the musculoskeletal system makes orthopedic doctors experts on pain. Chronic pain is one of the most common reasons why patients visit an orthopedic doctor in the first place. Orthopedic doctors can help diagnose and treat pain in:

  • Shoulders
  • Knees
  • Hips
  • Ankle & Feet
  • Wrists and Hands
  • Elbows
  • Neck

Improve Range of Motion

Inflammation, stiffness, swelling, and pain can all contribute to a limited range of motion. So many people just accept the limitation as a part of growing older or having been injured, but orthopedic specialists can actually help treat or improve your range of motion. If pain or stiffness makes it difficult to perform everyday tasks, physical therapy, no-surgical treatment, or surgery may be able to help.

Injury Treatment and Prevention

Patients are referred to orthopedic doctors after experiencing injuries such as broken bones, fractures, dislocations, ligament tears, and more. Orthopedic doctors repair and treat these injuries while also working to reduce or eliminate pain. In order to optimize recovery, orthopedic doctors will often work alongside physical therapists and pain management specialists to create a more complete recovery. Athletes and patients alike see orthopedic doctors not only to repair injuries but to prevent them as well. Whether you’re dealing with a minor condition like an ankle sprain or carpal tunnel, or if you have a more serious injury like a hip fracture, orthopedic doctors can help.

Perform Surgical and Non Surgical Procedures 

While certain injuries require surgical treatments, there are many non-surgical procedures that can help with a wide variety of injuries and conditions. While patients may see an orthopedic doctor with surgery in mind, orthopedic specialists can actually help determine whether or not surgery is even necessary. More often than not, surgery is only considered when all other nonsurgical alternatives have been exhausted. This is why orthopedic doctors are a viable option when patients need a second opinion. 

Diagnose and Treat Musculoskeletal Conditions

Orthopedic doctors don’t just work with athletes and broken bones, they also work with conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis. These chronic conditions require treatment just as much as broken bones because they continuously worsen over time. 

Consult an Orthopedic Specialist

If you are experiencing chronic pain in the musculoskeletal system, or have recently undergone an injury, our specialists can help. The team at Paris Orthopedics and Sports Medicine is dedicated to helping our patients recover from a wide range of orthopedic conditions. Our services include general orthopedic medicine, joint replacement, sports injury treatment, and osteoporosis treatments at our bone health clinic. If you have experienced limited mobility, joint pain, or chronic stiffness, call (903) 737-0000 to make an appointment.

Injury Prevention

7 Common Winter Sports Injuries

The winter season is full of various sports and activities to participate in. Whether it’s snow or ice, these seasonal sports give us something to look forward to in an otherwise cold and dark season. When it comes to winter sports, it’s easy for us to try and pick up where we left off last year without easing back into it, and being this overzealous can often lead to injuries. Even day-to-day activities can become compromised by snow and icy and cause an increase in visits to the E.R. Today we’re examining some of the most common winter sports injuries, and what you can do to prevent them from happening to you and your family.

1. Ankle Sprains and Fracture

It is estimated that around 25,000 people sprain their ankle each day, so it’s not surprising that this is one of the most common winter sports injuries. Ankle injuries typically occur while moving on slippery or uneven surfaces, so whether you’re playing a sport or simply walking down an icy sidewalk, it’s easy to see why winter weather can cause an increase in ankle sprains and fractures. 

If you injure your ankle, it’s a good idea to elevate the injury and to use ice packs to bring the swelling down. Although it may not seem too serious, it’s imperative that you keep weight off of the injury to avoid more serious issues down the line.

2. Concussion

Although helmets are not mandatory when it comes to winter sports, we highly recommend the use of them. Concussions can occur at any point in the year, but sports such as skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating definitely carry the risk of head traumas. In addition to wearing a helmet, ensure all of your winter equipment is in good condition before heading out.

3. Knee Injuries

Knees are used to absorbing the shock of most of our day to day activities like running and walking, but winter sports like skiing can put even more pressure on our knees as well as their joints and ligaments. To avoid falls that can put your knee in a compromising position, make sure that you’re practicing the safest technique that your sport requires. Lessons can teach the foundations of any sport that can ultimately prevent future injuries. 

4. Dislocated Shoulder

Both skaters and skiers are at risk of dislocated shoulders. This injury can occur when you fall from high heights, like after going off of a ski jump, or if you hit a hard surface like ice. If you dislocate a shoulder, it’s important to seek medical attention right away to prevent more serious issues such as a frozen or immobile shoulder. Paying attention to the weather forecast, and staying mindful of your experience level can help prevent injuries like dislocated shoulders.

5. Spinal Injuries

Spinal injuries can be painful, scary, and disruptive to your life. High-intensity sports carry a higher risk of spinal injuries, but even sports like sledding can cause back problems and injuries, especially when you’re snow tubing down a lope face-first. Avoid unforeseen obstacles in the snow by making sure you know your surroundings. It’s also a good idea to avoid engaging in any winter sport on your own.

6. Skier’s Thumb

Skier’s thumb occurs when a ligament is torn in the thumb. Skiing is one of the only winter sports that require regular use of the hands and the wrists while incorporating the use of poles, which makes this the second most common skiing injury behind knee sprains. 

7. Broken or Dislocated Elbow

Elbow injuries can occur when the elbow is impacted in a fall, or if it’s overused. If you use your hands and outstretched arms to break a fall, it’s not uncommon to push your elbow joint out of its normal position, causing a fracture or dislocation. Avoid muscle fatigue and strain by taking multiple breaks and letting your body recuperate after a long day out on the ice or in the snow.

No matter what winter sport you decide to participate in this year, make sure you take the necessary precautions to avoid these common injuries. A fresh blanket of snow might make us want to get out as fast as we can, but it’s important to go at your own pace and to warm up your muscles before strapping up your ice skates or ski boots. 

Consult an Orthopedic Specialist

The team at Paris Orthopedics and Sports Medicine is dedicated to helping our patients recover from a wide range of orthopedic conditions. Our services include general orthopedic medicine, joint replacement, sports injury treatment, and osteoporosis treatments at our bone health clinic. If you have questions about the risks or injury prevention of your favorite winter sport, call (903) 737-0000 to make an appointment.

Bone Health

How to Know if Your Bone is Broken

Broken bones can sometimes be tricky to self-diagnose. On the one hand, you could stub your toe and feel a level of pain that convinces you that it’s broken even when it’s not. On the other hand, you may be surprised to learn that it’s not uncommon for someone to walk around with a broken bone without realizing it. This is especially concerning because an untreated broken bone has the potential to mend at an incorrect angle that can leave you immobile or less capable. While the best way to truly know if your bone is broken is to visit your doctor, we’ve compiled a list of the most common signs of broken bones. 

Hearing or feeling a snap

One of the first signs of a broken bone that you may experience can occur at the very moment the bone breaks. As soon as the injury occurs, you may hear or feel a snap or a crunch. This is usually the first indication of the broken bone. After the initial break, you may also be able to feel crunchiness underneath the skin, which is a sign that broken pieces of bone are rubbing against each other.

Bruising or discoloration

Following the initial breaking of the bone, bruising and swelling is very common. Large bruising is due to the blood escaping from the capillaries within the damaged tissues. 

Tenderness

When a bone is broken, it is typically incredibly painful to touch, press, move, or put weight on it. A good way to see if the bone is broken is to try and move the injured body part. While tenderness is common with bruising of any kind, the tenderness of a broken bone is usually far more intense. 

Loss of function

In addition to not being able to move your injury due to pain, a broken bone may also make it so you’re physically incapable of moving your body part due to the fracture of the bone. If you are able to move it but feel pain, it’s probably not broken. If you have a complete loss of function, however, this is usually indicative of a broken bone.

Deformation

If you need a clear indication of a broken bone, deformity is a sure signifier to help you know that your bone is broken. If your bone is ever bending in an abnormal direction, this means that it is definitely broken. In some cases, the bone may also be poking out of the skin, which means that it is either dislocated or broken. 

After you’ve broken a bone, it’s not uncommon to feel faint, sick, or dizzy as a result of the shock. If you suspect your bone is broken, it’s important to seek medical treatment right away. If a broken bone isn’t corrected right away, you may be subjecting yourself to the possibility of developing an infection or a permanent deformity. 

Broken bones that are not realigned and healed properly may also create long-term joint problems. As you grow older, it’s important to be extra careful, as bones become weaker with age. 

Consult an Orthopedic Specialist

The team at Paris Orthopedics and Sports Medicine is dedicated to helping our patients recover from a wide range of orthopedic conditions. Our services include general orthopedic medicine, joint replacement, sports injury treatment, and osteoporosis treatments at our bone health clinic. If you have questions about the broken bones, or bone health call (903) 737-0000 to make an appointment.