Summer is Peak Time for Outdoor Sports Injuries

DETROIT – Summertime is the ideal time for outdoor activities like boating, swimming, barbecues and picnicking. It’s also ripe for sports injuries, says Nancy White, M.D., a Henry Ford Health System sports medicine physician.

“We encourage people of all ages to get outside and take advantage of all the activities available during the summer. It’s very important, though, that people keep safety top of mind to reduce their risk of injury,” Dr. White says.

Dr. White counts these as five most common injuries:

• Sprains and strains.

• Fractures.

• Trampoline injuries.

• Bike injuries.

• Overuse injuries.

“Trampoline injuries are mostly caused by jumping, either by an awkward landing or colliding with someone,” Dr. White says. “Overuse injuries happen when someone over extends themselves in a particular activity, whether it’s attending multiple sports camps or simply exercising outdoors.”

Dr. White recommends these three tips for reducing your risk of injury:

• Stay hydrated. Replenish your fluid intake with frequent water breaks.

• Perform warm-up exercises before your run or your game.

• Wear protective gear. Whether bike riding, rollerblading or skateboard, a helmet and protective pads are a must. Obey traffic laws and store your phone away.

For soft tissue injuries strains and sprains, Dr. White says the RICE method is an immediate at-home treatment you can apply to reduce swelling and pain. It stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.

For injuries that require medical attention, you can see a Henry Ford sports medicine doctor within 24 hours. Call 313.972.4216 between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. Monday-Friday.

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MEDIA CONTACT: David Olejarz / David.Olejarz@hfhs.org / 313.874.4094