The sports schedules of student athletes can be grueling and tough on growing bodies. The CDC estimates that high school athletes account for 2 million injuries, 500,000 doctor visits. and 30,000 hospitalizations annually.
These injuries can be more severe than they outwardly appear and sometimes have long-lasting effects. On the inside, bones are still growing and, while doing so, pull on muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
At the same time, these same muscles, tendons, and ligaments are being stretched to the limits, being put through rigorous and repetitive exercises. This can cause pain, have an ill-effect on the young athlete’s coordination, and increase risk of injury.
Frequently, sports injuries involve ankles, knees, shoulders, elbows, and hips. Sprains and strains are common and can be difficult to diagnose properly. If you played sports growing up or you have a student athlete at home, you have likely experienced your fair share of sports-related mishaps.
Why a preventative MRI can help
A legitimate and serious risk of playing competitive sports is brain injury. Some sports, like soccer and football, also see a relatively high number of concussions. If a student athlete suffers a concussion, it is vital to measure the function of the brain post-injury.
A preventative MRI for student athletes can help establish a baseline. In the case of a concussion, for example, a scan during pre-season gives professionals more information to assess the impact of such an injury should it occur.
Equipped with before-and-after images, your doctor can draw comparisons and create a treatment plan based on the exact knowledge of the injury’s extent. An early and correct diagnosis promotes faster recovery so you (or your student athlete) can safely return to the sport you love. It can also prevent an injury suffered as a young athlete from creating irrevocable damage into adulthood.
Cardiac MRI — another helpful scan
A less common, but highly dangerous, condition in athletes is heart disease. Cardiac MRI has emerged as an important imaging technique, particularly well-suited to provide detailed images of the heart. It’s also an important aid in the diagnosis of underlying heart disease in athletes and in identifying inflammation of the heart muscle.
A cardiac MRI can help determine when athletes, who have recovered from the illness, can safely return to competitive sports. Any injury, whether it’s from trauma, illness, or overuse, should be seen by the athlete’s primary care doctor. From there, the doctor may determine further testing is required and/or a consult with a specialist is needed. It is only then that a proper treatment plan can be created.
Listening to the body
Student athletes should listen to their body and freely communicate any pain or concerns they have to their coach, parent, or trainer. If something doesn’t feel right, it is not wise to push through the pain without consulting with your doctor first. Without proper care, a small injury can get worse with time.
We can help
High quality images will provide invaluable information to help your family doctor make better decisions regarding the severity of your child’s injury and when it is safe to get back into the game.
Contact UMI for more information regarding MRIs and sports injuries. The quality of your medical imaging is everything to us.