By Robert Swift, D.O.
Board Certified Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine
It’s back to school for our kids and Football season is around the corner and for a lot of people It can’t come soon enough. However, with the onset of football season a lot of athletes can and will suffer injuries. High school and college football camps start and unfortunately injuries can occur. Hopefully many athletes took the opportunity to rest and recover during the off-season, have any ailments addressed and undergo rehabilitation recovery. Or started a rigorous off-season training program.
The highest rate of injuries occur in the preseason, followed by the regular season and then the playoffs or post season. The most common injuries typically are ligamentous injuries involving the ankle, the knee, the shoulder and the hip. Athletes who play football are seven times more likely to get injured in a game than in practice. Unfortunately, despite the improvements in equipment, and tackling techniques, concussions are still a significant part of the sport. Repeat injuries are common, as well as injuries occurring to compensate for a recovering body part. It’s important to get the appropriate rehab, rest, and treatment to avoid significant season ending injury.
What can the college or high school athlete do to prevent these injuries? First, get a preseason physical. Make sure your previous ailments were addressed and you have no other injuries that require rehab before you get involved with your preseason conditioning program. Second, be involved in a preseason conditioning program that also includes cross training and participating in other sports.
Understand the importance of nutrition and hydration when training and recovering from your previous season. Single sport training can result in overuse injuries. 10% of athletes will have an injury from over training. Mix up your training. Consider bike riding, hiking, swimming, yoga, or beach volleyball to keep your whole body in shape. Isolating your training within a single sport can result in injury and loss of playing time.
With many nationally recognized high school and college football programs in the state of Florida, appreciate that summer camps are hot and humid. It’s important to drink crystal clear, cold water as well as sports drinks to keep yourself hydrated, prevent cramps, and heat related injuries. Make sure all of your protective equipment fits and is in good serviceable condition. A piece of tape should not replace a broken strap or snap.
If an injury occurs in preseason, the regular season or game, no matter how slight, let your trainer or orthopedic sports medicine doctor know. Early intervention, bracing, rehab, and exercise can often quickly get you back in the game safely, preventing a season ending injury. The goal of athletic trainers and orthopedic professionals is to get you back on the field of play, provide education and intervention so you can return safely and successfully to the game of football. Help us do our job by keeping us informed early so we can keep you on the field and in the game.
About Dr. Robert D. Swift, D.O.
Robert D. Swift, D.O. is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and a Fellow of the American Osteopathic Association of Orthopedics. He has advanced training in minimally invasive surgery of the shoulder, knee, ankle, hip, and orthopedic trauma training.
Dr. Swift attended medical school at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed a general surgery internship with the US Army at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center. While stationed in Europe as an army physician, he supported missions and troops throughout Bosnia and Kosovo.
Dr. Swift completed his orthopedic residency training at the University of Medicine Dentistry of New Jersey, also known as UMDNJ-SOM/Copper Medical Center. After residency, he rejoined the military and was stationed at Ft. Campbell, KY. He was deployed as Chief of Orthopedics in Bagram, Afghanistan. His services are decorated by the Bronze Star Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Dr. Swift is accomplished in his field. He has been a course instructor, presenter, and author on fracture care and on the minimally invasive shoulder and knee surgery.
Dr. Robert D. Swift, D.O., Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon, is a national leader in sports medicine and orthopedic joint care with over 20 years of experience in:
• Shoulder, rotator cuff injuries, dislocations, replacement, fractures, and regenerative treatments
• Knee, meniscal tears, ACL, ligament injuries, replacement, and fractures regenerative treatments
• Elbow, tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, ligament injuries, impingement and arthritis
• Hip, tendon injuries, bursitis, sports hip injuries, replacement and regenerative treatments
• Ankle, tendon and ligament injuries, sports injuries, sprains, fractures, regenerative treatments
American Spine and Orthopedic
9410 Fountain Medical Ct, Suite #201
Bonita Springs, FL 34135
(239) 877-4662 | www.drrobertswift.com