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Dr. Ryan Dunlay, a specialist in Sports Medicine at ORA Orthopedics and team doctor for the Pleasant Valley Spartans, explains three common injuries suffered by football players of all ages and skill levels.
The ORA Playbook is a new LMQC feature providing practical health and training tips to athletes of all skill levels and ages – from the team doctors and sports medicine specialists of ORA Orthopedics.
Three common football injuries – a doctor’s perspective
Dr. Ryan Dunlay, ORA Orthopedics
Blocking, tackling, pivoting, and big hits can all take their toll on young football players’ knees. Just ask ORA Orthopedics’ Team Physician for the Pleasant Valley Spartans and St. Ambrose Bees, Dr. Ryan Dunlay. Dr. Dunlay says common knee injuries can be game- , season- ,or even career-ending without proper and immediate treatment.
“Our student athletes are passionate about their sport and they train well, but the excitement and the contact nature of football means I see a lot of knee injuries, especially among linemen.”
Dr. Dunlay identifies the most common football injuries he treats in Quad City area players:
MCL Sprains and Tears
According to Dr. Dunlay, knee braces on offensive and defensive linemen are often used to prevent MCL injuries to the knee.
“This ligament stabilizes the knee and keeps it from turning in. MCL tears and sprains are most common in offensive and defensive linemen.” Dr. Dunlay says MCL’s don’t usually need surgery if it’s an isolated injury. “You’ll often see players wear braces to prevent this injury from occurring in the first place.”
ACL injuries
The ACL or “anterior cruciate ligament” is found inside the knee joint and, along with the posterior cruciate ligament, forms an “X” to control the back and forth motion of your knee. Dr. Dunlay says the ACL helps provide rotational stability to the knee, and when it tears, it usually requires surgery.
“ACL injuries can either occur in direct contact or non-contact situations. Football demands that players change direction rapidly and make sudden stops, which can result in an ACL injury.
Players who engage in a direct contact or collision can also injure their ACL. Most often these injuries are season-ending and will require surgery and physical therapy before return-to-play.”
MCL vs ACL: How to tell the difference?
A trainer or team physician will assess the player’s knee injury. Dr. Dunlay says MCL injuries are not associated with significant swelling, but for ACL injuries, swelling is the telltale sign.
While ACL injuries can be season-ending, they are not necessarily career-ending with surgery, rehab, and rest. “I have seen many, many players recover from torn ACL’s and go on to have successful athletic careers.”
Knee cap dislocation
A dislocated kneecap is painful – and while the kneecap can be manipulated back into position, it often results in the player sitting out the rest of the game.
“It’s an acute or sudden injury that forces the kneecap to slide to the outside. The player cannot extend their knee when the kneecap is out of joint,” explains Dr. Dunlay.
“I have seen this at both the high school and collegiate level, and even the pros can suffer this type of injury, such as Patrick Mahomes, starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs.
“It’s usually a contact injury that forces the kneecap to dislocate to the outside. Usually, I can gently manipulate the kneecap back into position, but the player is done for the game.
“They need further evaluation and return-to-play depends on what, if any other injury, may be present in the knee.”
ORA brings their “A” game to area schools
Dr. Dunlay is one of 12 ORA team physicians for Quad City area high schools, universities, and professional teams – the largest contingent of team physicians in the region. “As sports medicine physicians, we believe every athlete should play safely and reach their athletic potential.”
For more information on sports-related injuries and treatment, visit ORA Orthopedics Sports Medicine Center of Excellence.
Three common football injuries – a doctor’s perspective
Dr. Ryan Dunlay, ORA Orthopedics
Blocking, tackling, pivoting, and big hits can all take their toll on young football players’ knees. Just ask ORA Orthopedics’ Team Physician for the Pleasant Valley Spartans and St. Ambrose Bees, Dr. Ryan Dunlay. Dr. Dunlay says common knee injuries can be game- , season- ,or even career-ending without proper and immediate treatment.
“Our student athletes are passionate about their sport and they train well, but the excitement and the contact nature of football means I see a lot of knee injuries, especially among linemen.”
Dr. Dunlay identifies the most common football injuries he treats in Quad City area players:
MCL Sprains and Tears
According to Dr. Dunlay, knee braces on offensive and defensive linemen are often used to prevent MCL injuries to the knee.
The MCL or the “medial collateral ligament” is one of the ligaments in the knee joint and is located on the part of the knee inside or closest to the other knee.
“This ligament stabilizes the knee and keeps it from turning in. MCL tears and sprains are most common in offensive and defensive linemen.” Dr. Dunlay says MCL’s don’t usually need surgery if it’s an isolated injury. “You’ll often see players wear braces to prevent this injury from occurring in the first place.”
ACL injuries
The ACL or “anterior cruciate ligament” is found inside the knee joint and, along with the posterior cruciate ligament, forms an “X” to control the back and forth motion of your knee. Dr. Dunlay says the ACL helps provide rotational stability to the knee, and when it tears, it usually requires surgery.
“ACL injuries can either occur in direct contact or non-contact situations. Football demands that players change direction rapidly and make sudden stops, which can result in an ACL injury.
Players who engage in a direct contact or collision can also injure their ACL. Most often these injuries are season-ending and will require surgery and physical therapy before return-to-play.”
MCL vs ACL: How to tell the difference?
A trainer or team physician will assess the player’s knee injury. Dr. Dunlay says MCL injuries are not associated with significant swelling, but for ACL injuries, swelling is the telltale sign.
While ACL injuries can be season-ending, they are not necessarily career-ending with surgery, rehab, and rest. “I have seen many, many players recover from torn ACL’s and go on to have successful athletic careers.”
Knee cap dislocation
A dislocated kneecap is painful – and while the kneecap can be manipulated back into position, it often results in the player sitting out the rest of the game.
Contact injuries or swift pivots can also cause the kneecap to dislocate.
“It’s an acute or sudden injury that forces the kneecap to slide to the outside. The player cannot extend their knee when the kneecap is out of joint,” explains Dr. Dunlay.
“I have seen this at both the high school and collegiate level, and even the pros can suffer this type of injury, such as Patrick Mahomes, starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs.
“It’s usually a contact injury that forces the kneecap to dislocate to the outside. Usually, I can gently manipulate the kneecap back into position, but the player is done for the game.
“They need further evaluation and return-to-play depends on what, if any other injury, may be present in the knee.”
ORA brings their “A” game to area schools
Dr. Dunlay is one of 12 ORA team physicians for Quad City area high schools, universities, and professional teams – the largest contingent of team physicians in the region. “As sports medicine physicians, we believe every athlete should play safely and reach their athletic potential.”
For more information on sports-related injuries and treatment, visit ORA Orthopedics Sports Medicine Center of Excellence.
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