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Sports Medicine
A Crucial Period
Good Pain, Bad Pain
On Your Knees
Secondary Injuries
Imaging Technology
What's Sciatica?
The Female Athlete
Putting Your Feet First
Itis Schmitis
Too Much, Too Soon
Under the Influence
Twisted
What's Goin' On?
Think Inches, Not Pounds
Preventing Vaginitis
That Painful Pull
Athlete's Heart
Exercise & Arthritis
Chilled to the Bone
Measuring Body Fat
Exercise and Your Breasts
Choosing a Sports Doctor
Lean on Me (Shoulder)
Exercise & Anemia
Exercise Abuse
Pelvis Sighting
Hand Aid
It's All in the Wrist
Back in Action
Altitude Adjustment
Tennis Elbow, Anyone?
Exercising in the Heat
Agony of the Feet
Restless Legs
Night Time Cramps
Birth Control Concerns
No Periods, No Babies?
Post Partum Prescription
Weight Loss Mystery
Undesirable Cooldown
To Brew Or Not To Brew
Fitness After Baby
Biking and Back Pain
Swimmer's Shoulder
A Hidden Athlete
Avoiding Osteoporosis
Drug Testing
Maximum Heart Rate
Headway Against Headaches
Torn Rotator Cuff
Fat Figures
SOS About PMS
Bloody Urine
Sag Story
Lackluster Leg
Bothersome Bulge
Gaining in Years
Taking It On the Shin
Aching Ankles
Hoop Help
Tender Toes
Meals For Muscle
Growing Pains
Hot Tips
High Altitude PMS
Personal Bests
Air Pollution
Ankle Blues
Heartbreak Heel
Yeast Relief



Secondary Injuries

Continued...

Another predictor of secondary injury potential is level of experience. More than three years of experience doing a sport or activity reduces your chance of injury. In addition, the frequency or amount of exercise can have an effect.

Running more than 40 miles per week, for instance, greatly increases your chance of injury. And running on concrete more than two-thirds of the time more than triples the chance that you'll be injured. Reducing mileage and running on grass or a track made of synthetic material may help. Similarly, aerobic dance enthusiasts may benefit from choosing a cushioned workout surface.

Increasing the intensity of your activities also may predispose you to a secondary injury Experts haven't come to a consensus yet on how much of an increase is too much, but most suggest increasing intensity time or distance by no more than 10 percent a week.

Don't Forget the First Injury

A secondary injury is not the only injury that requires treatment; the primary injury also needs to be considered. A good sports-medicine physician will gather a complete medical history to help diagnose the cause of the injuries and establish a comprehensive program for rehabilitation.

The first injury may not fully heal if the original cause of the injury remains or if the repaired tissue functions abnormally. Some injuries are so severe that they may develop into a permanent condition. For example, a broken leg could cause a permanent leg-length discrepancy, which, unrecognized and left untreated, could result in knee, hip or back pain.

Injuries like this may necessitate taking a new course with your exercise program. Instead of pounding out the miles on pavement, switch to watching them roll smoothly by on a bicycle. This will remove the repeated stress and trauma of weight-bearing impact on the ankles, knees and hips.

So what is the best way to avoid a secondary injury?

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Table of Contents

Foreword: Billie Jean King

Comments by Barb Harris
Editor in Chief,
Shape Magazine


General Health
Nutrition
Exercise
Common Medical Problems
Dental Health
Emergency!
Infectious Disease
Sexual Health
Emotional Well-Being
Eating Disorders
Alcohol & Other Drugs
Environmental Health
Prevention


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The information in this web site is for educational purposes only and is not providing medical or professional advice. It should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. If you have or suspect you might have any health problems, you should consult a physician.


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