Health Center Chatter:
With the beginning of another school year comes the excitement of new sports seasons. Whether your student-athlete is competing for the first time or a returning letter winner, recognizing the early signs of an injury can make all the difference between missing days, weeks, or even the entire season or year.
It can be difficult to determine if initial soreness and other symptoms are part of training and competition or something more serious. Worsening pain, ongoing swelling, gait deviations, or inability to practice at full capacity should not be ignored. Initial conversation with coaching staff and athletic trainers is a good starting point, but early diagnosis can often prevent weeks on the sidelines and may even keep it from becoming a season-ending injury.
