Common Football Injuries: Shoulder, Knee & Hip

Football in Texas!

It’s that time of year again and in the state of Texas it’s not pumpkin-spice lattes we look forward to most in the fall, but FOOTBALL.  (Well, most of us!)  Friday night lights, cheering crowds, marching bands, drill teams; you name it, we are passionate about football in Texas!

You know what we are not passionate about?  Injuries in football! In a recent study of high school football players in Texas, half of the players in the state of Texas suffered a football injury during an average 4-year high school career. That’s a lot of injuries!

Football Injuries:

It can occur at any level from pee-wee football to high school, college and even at the pro-level. It’s a universal truth that if you play a contact sport like football, you’re most-likely going to get injured. The key to football injuries? Get them diagnosed early and taken care of properly by an expert in Sports Medicine and football injuries. Dr. Ronak Mukesh Patel, Orthopedic football injury doctor specializes in taking care of players at all ages and skill levels. He helps players in Sugar Land, Pearland, and the Houston Texas area overcome an injury and get back in the game.

What kind of football injuries can Dr. Patel take care of?

Dr. Patel specializes in sports medicine and takes care of athletes who get injured while in a game, at practice, or even if they were just goofing around with friends. Some of the sports injuries he specializes in are:

• Torn ACL in the knee
• Other knee ligament injuries (PCL, MCL, LCL)
• Patellar dislocation
• Shoulder separation
• Dislocated shoulder
• Hip injuries
• Hip labrum tears
• Groin injuries
• FAI (Femoroacetabular Impingement)

What is a torn ACL?

One of the most common football injury occurs in the knee when a player plants their foot and twists the leg or torso. The knee doesn’t twist with them and they hear a distinct “pop” followed by incredible pain. An injured or torn ACL will take a player right out of the game. However, with help from a specialized knee doctor, like Dr. Patel, they won’t stay out of the game forever. ACL injuries often require surgery and it’s important to know your options.

Can my ACL heal without surgery?

The short answer is no, not if you have a complete tear. The good news is football players who have torn their ACL don’t always need a complete reconstruction. In fact, with the new BEAR implant, the ACL can be repaired without the need for a graft.

There are some limitations that can be discussed with a knee specialist. The athlete needs to be in a specific age-range, health and be willing to complete an individualized physical therapy protocol.

If my ACL is repaired with the BEAR Implant, will I be as strong as before my injury?

This is the best part! Yes, athletes are finding that with the proper post-surgery protocol and rehabilitation, they can come back to the game. Research is still ongoing but this new innovative surgical technique is promising. We are happy to discuss your candidacy and fit for ACL repair.

What if my ACL can’t be helped with the BEAR Implant?

Dr. Ronak Patel also specializes in ACL reconstruction. Reconstruction is a great option if your specific tear doesn’t meet the requirements for the BEAR Implant. Dr. Patel can expertly reconstruct the ACL, giving you the same fighting chance of getting back into the game. Let’s break down the other football-related sports injuries Dr. Patel treats:

Shoulder Dislocation:

If you suspect a shoulder dislocation, you need to see Dr. Patel. Dr. Patel handles a lot of serious football injuries like shoulder dislocations or shoulder separations. You should call him if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Instant and extreme shoulder pain and/or swelling
• Recurrent dislocations
• Decreased range of motion
• Difficulty with arm movement
• A “popping” or “crunching” sensation

Hip Injuries common in football players:

Hip injuries can plague athletes and the most common are muscle strains. While many hip injuries require rest, ice and anti-inflammatories, here are the injuries that need to be addressed by an expert:

Hip Labrum tears:

In football, a fast change of direction can cause a hip labrum tear. You’ll know you’ve injured your hip labrum if you have one or more of the following symptoms:

• Pain in the hip around the front, groin or side area
• Hip tightness or stiffness
• A “locking” or “clicking” sound with hip movement
• Pain with walking or running
• Pain with sitting and squatting
• Feeling unsteady on one’s feet or hip giving out

Hip injuries of the labrum are often misdiagnosed as “groin” pulls or strains and should be properly checked by an orthopedic hip expert. These are most often related to the labrum related to hip impingement.

Fractures in the Knee or Shoulder:

If you’re keeping track of Football, you probably just saw the Detroit Lions star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson suffer a nasty tibia break when they played against Dallas. In the past, a break like this would end a players career. However, with new advances in orthopedics, these types of injuries can heal and players can come back. Shoulder fractures in football can also occur. In fact the most commonly broken bone in football is the clavicle (collarbone). Other football related shoulder fractures are not as common, leaving dislocations and labral tears as the main injury that occurs.

What about hip fractures and dislocations in football?

Hip fractures in football are (thankfully) fairly rare. They can occur, but the incidence is rare. Hip dislocations do occur, but not as frequently as knee or shoulder injuries.

Do I need to see a doctor about my football injury?

We get it, you want to stay in the game and who has time to nurse an injury? Muscle strains or pains from playing this fast-paced contact sport are normal, so it is important to listen to your body. Prolonged symptoms and any of the following symptoms in any joint should be a signal for you to seek Dr. Patel’s expert opinion:

• Pain that increases with activity
• Instant pain that takes your breath away
• Sharp or throbbing pain
• Pain that keeps you awake at night
• Weakness of the affected joint
• Shoulder, knee or hip feeling unstable
• Sudden weakness or inability to play the position you have in football
• Recurring dislocations

Sudden injuries are difficult to ignore and usually require immediate intervention. However, often chronic injuries need as much care as a sudden injury. Pay attention to your body, where it hurts and for how long. You can always come in for a consultation and we’ll tell you the best way to get back in the game.