Dr. Thomas Lahr of Morgan Health Services in Martinsville. Photo by Brian Culp

Dr. Thomas Lahr of Morgan Health Services in Martinsville knows the importance of proper fitness training. He helps take care of the athletes at Martinsville and Center Grove high schools. He shares with INstride the five most common sports injuries in older adults:

1. Shoulder: Rotator Cuff Tendonitis or Rotator Cuff Tear

2. Knee: Patellofemoral syndrome

3. Back: Strains of the muscles in the lumbar and thoracic back

4. Elbow: Tennis or Golfers Elbow

5. Ankle: Sprains

Most of these can be avoided by learning to exercise so that there is proper balance between the different muscle groups and learning proper techniques in their chosen sport.

Below is more information about each of the injuries gathered from Lahr and a variety of health-related Web sites, plus some additional general information provided by Lahr.

ROTATOR CUFF TENDONITIS

What causes it? There is usually an imbalance between the chest and back muscles.

What helps? Exercises that help treat the problem encourage strengthening the back to achieve the proper balance.

PATELLOFEMORAL SYNDROME

What causes it? The large anterior leg muscle overpowering the smaller inner thigh muscle causing the knee cap to run along the lateral side which damages the cartilage and causes a grinding in the knee cap.

What helps? There are two different exercises that will strengthen the inner thigh muscle which restores the balance in the knee and the grinding will stop as well as the pain.

BACK STRAIN

What causes it? A back strain occurs when you injure one or more muscles that move the spine. Most of the time, back strains are caused by lifting heavy objects with a bent spine. They might also be caused by excessive motion.

What will help? Rest, ice packs and compressions can help, according to the Cleveland Clinic Web site. Doing exercises that strengthen the back muscles will help prevent back strains.

TENNIS AND GOLFERS’ ELBOW

What causes it? Tennis elbow is inflammation and pain on the outside of the elbow; golfers’ elbow is the same thing on the inside of the elbow. Not necessarily tennis or golf; it is due to repeated motions of the wrist or forearm. Any activity that involves repetitive twisting of the wrist (like using a screwdriver) can lead to this condition.

What helps? Proper technique in the activity that is repeated; in many cases, wearing a strap with a gel pad over the forearm can help decrease the pain.

ANKLE SPRAIN

What is it? Damage to one or more of the three ligaments in the ankle.

How is it treated? At some point, Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation (RICE) will come into play.

ABOUT MEDICATIONS:

Over the counter medications can help with the pain from strains or tendonitis. However, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications or NSAID’s such as ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin carry increased risk for cardiac problems such as a “heart-attack” or acute myocardial infarction. Low dose aspirin can be protective for your heart but at higher doses it can increase the risk for stomach ulcers and GI bleeding. Medications such as Tylenol or acetaminophen help with pain but do not help with inflammation. Acetaminophen should not be used by anyone who drinks alcohol as the two can increase the risk for serious liver complications including liver failure and death.

BEWARE OF THESE:

The top activities that result in injuries in Baby Boomers, as listed by U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, are: bicycling, basketball, baseball or softball, and skiing. Older athletes are at increased risk for injuries due to the fact that the muscles, tendons, and ligaments have decreased muscle mass and that tendon and ligaments have lost some of their flexibility. This increases the risk for strains, sprains, and tears. In addition, the older athletes forget that they have not exercised in some time and try to advance too quickly.

ONE FINAL POINT:

It’s important for older athletes to remember that the No. 1 cause of death in the United States is Coronary Artery Disease. Make sure anyone with any risk factors for CAD sees their physician before starting any exercise program or an extensive sports program.