How to Treat 5 Common Summer Injuries

As temperatures rise, people gravitate toward spending more time outdoors. While it is great to get Vitamin D, it can also cause an increased risk for injuries. Prepare for common summer injuries that might cause you to see new patients this summer.

Key Takeaways

• Practicing proper techniques can help reduce the chances of an injury
• More physical activity causes additional stress on the knees and joints
• Paying attention to ergonomics can protect someone from wrist pain or injury

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Treatment for 5 Summer Injuries

Back Pain

Wrist Pain

Tennis Elbow

Knee Pain

Ankle Sprain

1. Back Pain

You may have heard the phrase “Lift with your knees!” at least once in your life, and in a way it is true. Many people tend to move into a new home in the summer, as the weather is nicer. However, if they don’t bend their knees when moving items, it can be a recipe for disaster. Practicing proper techniques like warming up, having a good grip, and bending your knees can make a world of difference.¹

While some may think back pain is only caused by lifting something incorrectly or too heavy, there are a variety of other causes for back pain. Pulling weeds, trimming bushes, mowing the lawn, planting flowers, and planting trees – all these gardening activities can also cause back pain. In the same way we mentioned technique matters for moving, it also matters for all the other summer activities. Some tips for summer, aside from those mentioned above, are taking smaller loads to haul, and knowing when to take breaks.²

Should you manage to find yourself treating a patient with an injury like this, there are products to help relieve their pain. While rest is important, heat and cold therapy can also help aid an injury quickly, as well as braces in more serious cases. By utilizing cold therapy first, it will allow the inflammation of the injured area to decrease. Then, patients should use heat therapy to relax the area.³

2. Wrist Pain

While wrist pain is often caused by a sprain or fracture from an injury, it can also be a result of long-term problems. This might be from arthritis, repetitive stress, or carpal tunnel syndrome.⁵

In the summer, people who aren’t usually very active may find themselves outside playing sports more. Others may also find the nice weather as a time to use tools to work on DIY home improvement projects or garden work. Paying attention to ergonomics and building bone strength can help offer protection from wrist pain or injury.⁴

If someone does have a wrist injury, it is best to get it treated as soon as possible to avoid more repetitive stress. These injuries can be treated with several hand therapy products Rolyan provides from hand braces and splints to grip strengthening tools.

3. Tennis Elbow

Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow are most common among people who have jobs with repetitive arm motions. The repetitive movements cause microtears in the tendons between the forearms and the outside of the elbow, which then causes elbow pain.⁵

Some common causes for elbow pain, aside from tennis and golf, include home improvement activities. This could be shingling a house, plumbing, painting, or carpentry work. Along with rest or a tennis elbow splint, eccentric exercises can also help aid pain relief in those with a tennis elbow injury.

4. Knee Pain

In the summer months, many people are more apt to go outdoors and be more active. However, with more physical activity also comes more pressure on knees, which can lead to short or long-term pain.⁶ Some summer activities that cause knee pain are pick-up games of sports, hiking, and running. While it can happen to everyone, some people are more likely to experience knee pain.

People more at risk for knee pain are those who are overweight, participate or used to participate in sports, have a lack of strength or muscle, or who have had a previous injury.⁷ Some of the best ways your patients can prevent knee pain include knowing their limits, stretching, and losing extra weight if they can, as that extra pressure can take a toll on their joints.⁶

Being conscientious of other injuries patients have is also important when it comes to knee pain. For instance, often people with foot or ankle pain/injury can also have knee pain. This is due to conditions like osteoarthritis.⁸ One way to try to combat this issue is to know the top causes of foot pain and have ways to treat it, like having the correct insoles and wearing the right kind of shoe for your arch.

5. Ankle Sprain

Ankle sprains can be caused in a variety of ways, but some of the more common ways are falling wrong, landing awkwardly after jumping, and walking or exercising on an uneven surface. Sprains happen when your ankle is forced out of its normal position, which then leads to ligaments stretching or tearing.⁹

In the summer, this could be caused by activities like running or walking, jumping on a trampoline, or playing games at the beach, like sand volleyball.

After having an ankle sprain, people should treat the injury with balance and weight bearing exercises. However, if someone is known to have weaker ankles, a great way to prevent an injury is by wearing a brace for support. This can protect an injured ankle or reduce the risk of injuries with minimal impact on athletic performance and range of motion.

References

1. "Proper Lifting Techniques." Princeton University, 22 June 2022, https://bit.ly/3y0Mylk
2. “Tips for Preventing Back Pain After Yard Work.” Sonoran Spine, 27 June 2022. https://bit.ly/39R7nrK
3. “Is Ice or Heat Better for Back Pain?” Desert Institute for Spine Care, 27 June 2022. https://bit.ly/3ymE9Kq
4. “Wrist pain.” Mayo Clinic, 27 June 2022. https://mayocl.in/3nhSbH2
5. “Tennis Elbow.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 14 Feb. 2019. https://mayocl.in/2wZGBd8
6. “Summer Knee Pain.” Cedar Rapids Pain Associates, Cedar Rapids Pain Associates, 27 June 2022. https://bit.ly/39U4S7Z
7. “Knee pain.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 27 June 2022. https://mayocl.in/3A8mlUW
8. Paterson, Kade L et al. “Impact of concurrent foot pain on health and functional status in people with knee osteoarthritis: data from the osteoarthritis initiative.” Arthritis care & research vol. 67,7 (2015): 989-95. doi:10.1002/acr.22537
9. “Sprained ankle.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 27 June 2022. https://mayocl.in/3xTjcp8

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