| From tennis and soccer to football and running, | | | | stitches, you should see a physician immediately. |
| organized and individual sports activities are key | | | | The largest and most vulnerable tendon in the |
| to any healthy lifestyle. But they can also result in | | | | body, the Achilles tendon joins the calf and soleus |
| common sports injuries that require attention, | | | | muscles of the lower leg to the heel of the foot. |
| either at home or at the doctor, to heal properly. | | | | While tendons are strong, they are not very |
| Abrasions are perhaps some of the most | | | | flexible and therefore are more likely to become |
| common sports injuries and can result from a fall | | | | inflamed or tear and rupture. An Achilles tendon |
| on a hard surface. | | | | rupture can happen suddenly and may be linked |
| As an athlete slides or falls on the ground, the | | | | to weak calf muscles. Muscles that are weak and |
| friction from the fall causes layers of skin to rub | | | | fatigued can be tighten and shorten, which |
| off. For cyclists, these abrasions are often | | | | increases the stress on the Achilles tendon, |
| referred to as "road rash" and are caused by a | | | | resulting in a rupture. A classic sign of Achilles |
| bike crash. While some abrasions can be severe | | | | tendon rupture is the feeling of being hit in that |
| and painful, most abrasions are scrapes that do | | | | area and often a "pop" sound is heard. While there |
| not extend into the deeper layer of the skin | | | | may be little pain, the person will be unable to lift |
| (dermis) or cause a great amount of bleeding. | | | | up onto his toes. |
| However, these abrasions can cause a great deal | | | | Ruptured Achilles tendons may require surgery |
| of pain because of the exposed nerve endings. | | | | and a couple of months in a cast. Partial tears can |
| The most standard treatment of abrasions include | | | | sometimes be treated with surgery followed by |
| cleaning the area with mild soap and water or an | | | | wearing a cast. During the healing process, the |
| antiseptic wash such as hydrogen peroxide, and | | | | tendon will shorten so a heel lift is often required |
| then covering the affected area with antibiotic | | | | for six months or more after the cast comes off. |
| ointment and a dry dressing. Some medical | | | | Physical therapy will help to regain flexibility and |
| findings suggest that the use of hydrogen | | | | strength as soon as the cast comes off. |
| peroxide can interfere with the healing process | | | | An Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury |
| and cause harm to the skin tissue. | | | | occurs when an athlete changes direction rapidly, |
| Severe abrasions should be seen and cleaned by | | | | twisting without moving his or her feet, slows |
| a doctor. However, you can do some things to | | | | down abruptly, or misses a landing from a jump. |
| aide in the healing of the affected area. It's | | | | The ACL and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) |
| important to keep the injured area clean and | | | | cross each other around the knee, providing |
| remove and dirt or debris. Consider using sodium | | | | stability. Typically, injuries to the ACL are a sprain. |
| chloride or Shur-Clens in a syringe to cleanse the | | | | The ligament is torn or stretched when an athlete |
| area. A clean gauze can be used to gently scrub | | | | makes a sudden twisting motion while the feet |
| the area. Products such as Second Skin or | | | | remain planted. These sorts of injuries are often |
| Bioclusive are ideal for covering a severe abrasion | | | | seen in football or soccer. While the cause is not |
| wound. Dressings should be changed every few | | | | completely understood, women are more likely to |
| days to prevent infection. Keeping the area moist | | | | suffer an ACL tear than men. |
| helps to promote healing, improve tissue | | | | ACL tears that are incomplete are treated |
| formation and protect from infection. | | | | conservatively to allow the body to heal the |
| Any deep lacerations may require stitches to heal | | | | injury on its own. Ice, rest, compression, and |
| properly. Cuts that continue to bleed after 15 | | | | elevation are effective immediate treatments. |
| minutes of direct pressure or extend deep into | | | | Physical therapy is used to build muscle strength. |
| the skin and have edges that fall apart may also | | | | For complete tears of the ACL, surgery is usually |
| require stitches. If you are unsure if you need | | | | required. |