Series Foreword Acknowledgments Introduction Guide to Health Literacy Common Misconceptions about Sport Injuries Questions and Answers The Basics 1. What are sport injuries? 2. How common are sport injuries, and who gets them? 3. What is the cost of sport injuries? 4. Can sport injuries have lifelong effects? 5. Are certain sports more or less likely to lead to injury? 6. Who is a weekend warrior? Why is being one a problem? 7. Does specializing in a sport increase the likelihood of injury? 8. What tissues of the body can be affected by a sport injury? 9. What are the basic stages of injury and healing, and how long do they last? 10. What is the difference between an acute injury and an overuse injury? Common Sport Injuries 11. What is a muscle strain, and which muscles are most likely to be strained? 12. What is a sprain, and which ligaments are most commonly sprained? 13. What are tendonitis and tendinosis? 14. What is a fracture, and which bones are most likely to be fractured? 15. What are stress fractures, and who tends to get them? 16. What is a concussion, how do you get one, and what are the risks associated with an undiagnosed concussion? 17. What is the rotator cuff, and what happens when you injure it? 18. What other injuries can affect the shoulder? 19. What are the most common causes of pain in the elbow? 20. What are the most common problems with the back and trunk muscles? 21. What are the most common problems with the hip and thigh? 22. What are the most common injuries to the knee? 23. What are shin splints? 24. What are the most common injuries to the foot and ankle? 25. What is a heat illness? Treating Sports Injuries 26. What is the typical therapy for different stages of healing for strains and sprains? 27. What is the typical treatment for an overuse injury? 28. What is the treatment for a concussion? 29. If you're injured while playing a school sport, how can an athletic trainer help with your injury? What about a strength and conditioning coach? 30. When should you see a physical therapist? 31. How do you select a physical therapist or a surgeon? 32. What are the most common surgeries to address sport injuries? 33. What if I continue to injure myself and need more surgeries? 34. Why is rehabilitation so important? 35. When can I return to participation? Preventing Sport Injuries 36. Can sport injuries be prevented? 37. How do I start a fitness program without hurting myself? 38. What is energy system training? 39. How do you train to prevent overuse injuries while also improving performance? 40. What is overtraining syndrome, and how can I prevent it? 41. What's the best way to strength train, and how will this help prevent injury? 42. How flexible do I need to be? Should I do a lot of stretching before I play? 43. How can I minimize the chance of getting a concussion? 44. How do I reduce the frequency of shoulder and elbow injuries? 45. How should I train for a healthy back and core, and how will this help prevent injury? 46. How can I train to prevent hip and thigh injuries? 47. How do I stabilize my knee and reduce the frequency of knee injuries? 48. Are there specific ways to increase my ankle stability? What about ankle supports? 49. How can I prevent a heat illness? 50. How can I avoid common injuries while running, cycling, and skiing? Case Studies Glossary Directory of Resources Index