Hockey InjuriesÂ
The chance of sustaining an injury depends on many variables, including the level of participation, player position, protective equipment, violent behavior, and personal susceptibility due to pre-existing injuries and style of play. Injuries occur much more frequently in games and increase with each level of participation.
Cause
Studies show that most hockey injuries occur during games rather than practices. It is estimated that direct trauma (a sudden forceful injury) accounts for 80% of all injuries. Most of these injuries are caused by player contact (checking and collision), falls, and contact with a puck, high stick, and occasionally, a skate blade.
Prevention
Good equipment is only the starting point to safer ice hockey. Because of the contact nature of ice hockey, it is considered a collision sport. Injuries occur from contact with other players, the stick, the puck, and the boards. Non-contact injuries may occur from overuse or acute trauma.
Each year, more than 63,000 hockey-related injuries are treated in hospitals, doctors’ offices, clinics, ambulatory surgery centers, and hospital emergency rooms. The risk of injury cannot be completely eliminated, but most injuries are mild, and may include bruises, muscle pulls, ligament tears, and cuts. More serious injuries are rare, and may include broken teeth, concussions, broken bones, dislocations, and spine or spinal cord injuries.
In an effort to reduce hockey injuries, researchers have conducted studies to better understand the risks of play. Rule changes and better enforcement of existing rules, along with improved protective equipment, are some of the outcomes of this research. In addition, educating coaches and officials about injury risks has become a priority. Potentially dangerous actions, such as checking from behind and the using the stick or helmet as a weapon, have been eliminated from the game.
Coaches, athletes, and parents must be aware of the possible injuries and follow the rules in place to prevent them. Serious injuries can be avoided if players avoid dangerous tactics or overly aggressive play.
Diagnosis
Physical Examination & Patient History
During your first visit, your doctor will talk to you about your symptoms and medical history. During the physical examination, your doctor will check all the structures of your injury, and compare them to your non-injured anatomy. Â Most injuries can be diagnosed with a thorough physical examination.
Imaging Tests
Imaging Tests Other tests which may help your doctor confirm your diagnosis include:
X-rays. Although they will not show any injury, x-rays can show whether the injury is associated with a broken bone.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. If your injury requires an MRI, this study is utilized to create a better image of soft tissues injuries. However, an MRI may not be required for your particular injury circumstance and will be ordered based on a thorough examination by your Peninsula Bone & Joint Clinic Orthopedic physician.
Principles of Sports Medicine
-
Timely Care
-
Minimally Invasive Procedures
-
Advanced Rehabilitation
-
Injury Prevention
One of the main goals of sports medicine is to put off major orthopedic surgery (such as joint replacement) as long as possible or even remove the need altogether with physical therapy, minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery and timely care.
When everything is working well, you hardly give them a thought. But when a problem arises, it’s often impossible to ignore.
Treatment Options
Non-Surgical & Surgical
Â
Depending on the severity of your injury, your Peninsula Bone  Joint Clinic orthopedic surgeon will recommend the most appropriate treatment plant which may include non-surgical or surgical treatments solutions.
Conservative Treatment Options
Treatment Highlights
FastFix 360 – Meniscus Repair
