Q&A with Dr. Christopher George of ValleyOrtho: Common fall sports injuries and how to prevent them (Part 1)

1. Are certain sports—like football, soccer, or cross-country—more prone to specific types of injuries?

We see injuries across all sports, but patterns vary with different sports. Football is more prone to contact type injuries. These are often higher energy injuries such as muscle contusions and even bone fractures. Soccer tends to have a higher rate of noncontact injuries such as sprains and ligament tears due to the amount of running, pivoting and cutting. Cross country can certainly see its share of ankle sprains, but overtraining injuries like stress fractures are more common with these athletes.

2. What are your top recommendations for preventing common fall sports injuries?

Starting the season with a good conditioning base will put the athlete in the best position to minimize injury. Ramping up activity too quickly can increase the risk of injury as muscle and soft tissue may not be in the optimal shape to sustain activity with training or competition. Before any practice or competition, it is optimal to get a good warmup to minimize injury risk. Some simple walking/jogging or light stretching will help get blood flowing and prime muscles for activity. Additionally, ensuring the equipment is well fitting and in good condition will minimize risk of injury.

3. What signs of overtraining or fatigue should athletes be alert to?

Often the initial signs may be subtle and can be easily overlooked. Having trouble recovering between practices can be a sign of overtraining. Changes in sleep patterns or appetite can be other signs of the body struggling to recover. Aches and pains that don’t recede as they typically would are also concerning signs of overtraining.

4. How important is pre-season conditioning, and what should it include?

Having a good conditioning base is very important for a successful season. There is obvious benefit to sport specific training and drills heading into the season. However, cross training with other sports or activities can be just as beneficial. Focusing preseason conditioning on specific sport needs is also important. For example, a good cardiovascular base benefits sports like soccer and cross country, whereas more power focused training would be important for football.

5. As an orthopedic specialist, how do you collaborate with trainers, physical therapists and coaches during the season?

As the sports medicine providers for the Roaring Fork School District, we are fortunate to have our ValleyOrtho athletic trainers working directly in each of the schools. They are part of our team, know their athletes best and are typically our first point of contact when an athlete is injured. We are able to ensure that any athletes with an injury can be seen in our office within 48 hours of injury if not sooner. Recommendations for further treatment or any activity restrictions are communicated directly to the athlete, their parents and athletic trainers. We also have direct communication with our physical therapy colleagues to ensure prompt evaluation and treatment. The coaches are consistently updated on the athlete’s progress and ability to return to play.