Wham…Bam! Can I Finish the Season?
Is your team lucky enough to still be in the playoffs? How are your favorite players holding up?
Like any other sport, hockey players put their bodies through extremely intense situations.
Unlike other sports, hockey players have both the boards and the ice to contend with. These two mediums can be both helpful and cause quite a bit of pain.
The shoulders of hockey players take quite a bit of abuse. And that abuse usually increases at playoff time, as the stakes get higher, player’s bodies are tired and have been soldiering through a slew of injuries.
Perhaps there’s been an altercation between two players earlier in the season and the bad blood continued throughout the season. During playoffs, this pair charged hard for a puck and a collision was the obvious, yet unfortunate result. The inside player got wrecked in the boards, his shoulder taking the brunt.
What could it be?
- separated shoulder
- broken collarbone
- dislocated shoulder
The shoulder is a complex joint. There are many tendons, ligaments, bones, and muscles that run through the joint. With all the bumping, jostling, and repetitive motions hockey players experience during a game, let alone whole season, it’s not surprising that many have shoulder issues.
As the years go on, players could experience the same injury over and over, as the muscles have weakened, and the ligaments stretched out. OR they could experience multiple issues within the joint.
What happens next?
- get checked out by a doctor
- manage pain
- rest
- allow torn ligaments to heal
- ice
- wear a sling to decrease motion
- take anti-inflammatory meds
- work to rebuild strength (physical therapy)
- slow re-entry back into the sport
It’s true.
Playoffs are a terrible time to get injured.
It feels like there’s no good option. Do you rest for a bit, lace up your skates and hope for the best? Even though you know you’re putting your body at risk. There’s a chance you’ll be fine.
OR
Do you take yourself completely out of harm’s way and bow out for the rest of the season? Make sure to heal as well as possible. But risk your team losing, coaches, owners, and teammates getting mad?
Both scenarios stink. In the end, you’ve got to make the best decision for yourself (the athlete) both now and for the future.
Most importantly, get at least one opinion from a medical professional, if not more than one.
Healing takes time. It never rushes. And it is possible.
Whatever scenario in front of you, we’d love to help.
ABOUT MICHIGAN SPORTS & SPINE CENTER:
We’re innovative leaders utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as musculoskeletal ultrasounds, PRP, stem cell treatment, and other innovative procedures. Michigan Sports & Spine Center is committed to resolving your pain, not simply masking it. We treat the whole body, not just the injury, and perform preventative treatment so your injury doesn’t come back. Our studies prove that Michigan Sports & Spine Center has patient success rates much higher than the national average. We treat everyone from high-profile athletes to your neighbor next door. Our primary focus is getting our patients back into the game of life!