Now accepting Telehealth appointments. Schedule a virtual visit.
Skip to main content

Tips for Preventing Common Summertime Injuries

Summer Activity Advice from a Leading San Francisco Sports Injury Specialist

Clear blue skies, brilliant sunrays, and light-filled days have a way of spurring physical activity and motivating even the most sedentary of persons. Unfortunately, summer is notorious for being a high-injury season. Nearly two million people suffer a sports injury annually, and much of this takes place during the warm and welcoming summer months. If you plan on getting involved in summer sports or simply want to be more active, make sure you take the necessary safety precautions to avoid injury and frequent visits to a San Francisco sports medicine doctor.

 

Warm Up
Poor bodily form and cold muscles can lead to unnecessary injuries. Easing your body into an activity by starting with a good warm-up is a great way to begin any sport. If it’s been awhile since you’ve played a sport, or if you are new at something and not sure of the correct body position, take time to work on form before fully engaging in the activity. This will be the best thing for your body in the long run.

Take it Easy
If you weren’t very physically active during the cold months, don’t expect to come back full force. Doing too much too soon can lead to serious injury. For example, shoulder injuries such as Impingement Syndrome, Bursitis, Tendinitis, and Tendon Ruptures are common during the summer months because they are caused by repetitive movements that are inherent in some summer activities (volleyball, yardwork, baseball, painting, basketball, etc). Easing your way into an activity and doing preventative exercises can diminish the possibility of getting injured.

Stay Hydrated
Once the temperature surpasses 90 degrees, the likelihood of experiencing heat related injuries increases greatly. Try to avoid playing or doing activity during the peak hours of summer (10am–3pm). Your body can generate 15–20 times the amount of heat it normally does when it is engaging in hard physical activity. Staying hydrated is more important than ever on those grueling summer days. Dehydrated muscles do not work as efficiently as hydrated ones, and simply drinking enough liquids could be the difference maker in staying healthy.

Proper Shoes
Many San Fransico orthopedic surgeons agree that one of the best ways to prevent injury and surgery is simply to wear the proper shoes. People complaining of pain, especially in their feet, shin or calf area, need to determine if their shoes are the culprit. Having good arch and heel support are two things to look out for when buying shoes. Stick to wearing the shoes that are made for the specific sport you are engaging in—avoid wearing tennis shoes on a golf course for example.

Find a Friend
Having another person with you not only makes your experience more enjoyable, it can also be very helpful in identifying potential issues. A friend may be able to spot when your form is compromised, or other harmful things you could be doing with your body. In the worst case scenario, having another person there to help if you fall or encounter an injury will be very useful.

A Bay Orthopedic Doctor is Available to Treat You

Sports medicine and proper treatment can cure many injuries that take place during summer. Still, the best remedy of all is prevention. If you are currently dealing with a sports injury or want to learn additional ways you can avoid injury, call us at 415-923-0944 today! You can also conveniently schedule an appointment online right here from our website.

You Might Also Enjoy...

Woman stretching, Bay Area sports medicine doctor

Top 5 Benefits of Stretching 

We all hear how important stretching is for our body, but how important is it? What are the benefits? When should we be stretching? Below we look at the top 5 benefits of stretching from a Bay Area sports medicine doctor's perspective.
San Francisco sports medicine doctor, ACL doctor

Is ACL Surgery Necessary to Continue Playing Sports?

Deciding if you need ACL reconstruction surgery depends, in large part, on what activities you want to return to after treatment. If you’re an athlete, these thoughts from a Bay Area ACL Surgeon may help you make a decision.
Bay Area sports injury specialist, Bay Area sports medicine

Minimize Risk of Serious Gym Injuries

Before starting a new workout routine, learn to understand your limits, consult a San Francisco sports medicine doctor about your training regimen and follow the tips in this article to avoid unwanted injuries.
San Francisco orthopedic surgeon, people skiing,  Bay Area sports injury specialist

Exercise Advice for Cold Weather Conditions

It may be more difficult to work out in the cold, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible. Research suggests that even in extremely cold weather, the body knows how to regulate itself to maintain a temperature of 98.6 degrees.
Man Skiing, San Francisco Ski Doctor, San Francisco Orthopedic surgeon

5 Common Ski Injuries: Prevention and Treatment

Skiing is an incredibly popular — and can be an incredibly dangerous — sport. For thrillseekers, there’s nothing better, but what are the risks of injury, and how can you safeguard against them? Our San Francisco Ski Doctor weighs in.