First Aid for Sports Injuries

For most people, the remedy for pain due to a sports injury is to keep working the area where the pain is being experienced. Remember our sports coaches telling us to "Just walk if off". While it may appear to be effective in some cases, the risk of permanent injury could be even greater. As a general rule to preventing additional injury to a joint that has been hurt during a sports activity or exercise session, stopping whatever you were doing may be the the most prudent course of action. Some injuries are minor, and can be treated at home without having to spend money and time on a doctor. Here are some first aide tips for sports injuries that are minor in nature.  Alway seek professional medical care if swelling, pain, or discoloration of affected area occurs.   

The RICE method is a good approach for reducing topical swelling, speeding up healing and toning down the pain levels. Follow this Rest, Ice, Compress and Elevation approach before moving on to something else. The least amount of time to repeat this method is 48 hours.

Rest – it may be good if you confined yourself to one spot to immobilize the injured area. If that is not possible, reducing your activity levels can help. For instance, if the location of injury is the ankle, knee or joint, the use a crutch can help relieve the amount of pressure that is placed directly on the injured spot.

Ice – Ice a natural anesthesia and pain reliever. An ice pack should be placed on the injured area at least four times a day for a period of 20 minutes. Use of an ice bag or cold pack is recommended because the rate of temperature release is controlled, and there is no need to keep refilling the pack with fresh ice blocks or cubes. If you do not have any of these, use a plastic bag filled with crushed ice and wrap it in a towel. To prevent cold injury, the length of time an area is exposed to cold should be strictly checked.

Compression – compression refers to the application of uniform pressure over an area that has been injured. This helps to reduce swelling and allows the blood supply to that area to remain consistent. You should however consult with a doctor to establish which compress is suited for your type of sports injuries.

Elevation – elevation is yet another step that you can take at home to help reduce the level of swelling to an injured area. The injured area should be placed at a level that is above the level of the heart, preferably using a pillow.

The need to seek further medical intervention will depend on how well the injured site responds to first aid. There is need for immediate medical attention if;
·      The pain increases in spite of all efforts to reduce it
·      Discoloration of the affect site may indicate more serious injury to the joint, tissue or bone.
·      The extent of the injury is such that it cannot be compressed
·      The site of an old injury begins to ache
·      There is swelling at a position where an injury had occurred before. 

Remember to live life to its Fullest

Dr. Kevin Crawford

4110 22nd Place Lubbock, TX 79410

(806) 792-4329

Disclaimer:  This information is provided as an educational service, and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.  Anyone seeking seeking specific medical advice or assistance should consult his or her doctor or orthopedic surgeon.

Orthopedic Services, Lubbock Sports Medicine

Dr. Kevin Crawford and Lubbock Sports Medicine offer a full array of Orthopedic Services & Specialties to the local public and athletes in the greater Lubbock area.

Initial Physician Consultation
LSM's Physicians will evaluate your condition, and present you with the most effective and advanced treatment options available.

Athletic Training Outreach programs
Lubbock Sports Medicine provides support to local sporting events, area rodeos, and Texas Tech Club athletics.  Also, our office is staffed with qualified and licensed athletic trainers, who provide service to local high schools who need coverage.

X-Rays
The LSM office is equipped with x-ray capabilities to aid your physician in properly assessing your condition.

Othopedic Physical Therapy
Lubbock Sports Rehab is one of the top physical therapy clinics on the South Plains. Click on this link, lubbocksportsrehab.com, to go to LSR’s home page

ImPACT Concussion Testing
We provide certified ImPACT Concussion Testing, Management, and treatment. The ImPACT Program is nationally recognized for being a leading source of concussion management & information.

Saturday Morning Athlete Injury Clinics

Lubbock Sports Medicine is open on Saturday mornings during high school football season. A clinic doctor volunteering his time will be available to see local athletes. No appointment is necessary. However, spaces are reserved strictly for school athletes. There is no office visit charge, but there will be a charge for any supplies or x-rays done at the time of the visit. These clinics are held during the regular football season to evaluate injuries sustained during the previous few days on the field.

Evaluation of Bone Density
The LSM office is equipped with a bone densitometer to assess the brittleness of your bones, and to help prevent osteoporosis.

Durable Medical Equipment/Sports Bracing
Our office has the most advanced equipment to help you be ready for surgery or return to activity safely.

Custom Orthotics
Based on your physician’s recommendation, our technicians can create custom orthotics for almost any type of shoe or activity.

After Hours Emergencies
Should you have an urgent problem, please call our office FIRST for instructions. Perhaps, the problem can be handled without the expense and inconveniences of an emergency room visit. After hours, calls to our office number will be forwarded to us directly. Or, the answering service will be able to locate a member of our group 24 hours a day. If your problem cannot be handled over the telephone, we can alert the emergency room personnel, saving time in ordering hospital services. If, in an emergency, you are unable to reach us, proceed immediately to the nearest emergency room, where you are entitled to request that one of us be called to provide any needed medical care for if so desired.

Lectures/Workshops/Clinics/
Our highly trained LSM physicians and staff are available to speak at clinics or workshops. They sponsor several clinics throughout the year.

Dr. Kevin Crawford

4110 22nd Place Lubbock, TX 79410

(806) 792-4329

Disclaimer:  This information is provided as an educational service, and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.  Anyone seeking seeking specific medical advice or assistance should consult his or her doctor or orthopedic surgeon.

Outreach Athletic Training

Bringing the best athletic training services to our high schools and programs is the Mission of Lubbock Sports Medicine's Outreach Athletic Training Program.

With LSM's program, we help enable our local athletic programs that lack full-time trainers to obtain the experienced medical staff needed to keep athletes off the training table and back in the game.  The LSM-affiliated network of professional athletic trainers expands to schools throughout Lubbock and the Great Plains.

Lubbock Sports Medicine provides professional care for your Sports & Active Lifestyle Injuries.

LSM specializes in advanced Sports Medicine for the serious athlete to those following an active lifestyle.  With our state of the art techniques and equipment, our experienced doctors will work with you at each step of your recovery.  From torn ligaments to concussions to knee sprains, LSM is there to help.  

Rest assured that you will receive the best care from our highly trained clinicians and doctors, providing you with top orthopedic care for your well-being and treatment.  Experience the sport medicine difference at Lubbock Sports Medicine and Lubbock Sports Rehab.

Dr. Kevin Crawford

4110 22nd Place Lubbock, TX 79410

(806) 792-4329

Disclaimer:  This information is provided as an educational service, and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.  Anyone seeking seeking specific medical advice or assistance should consult his or her doctor or orthopedic surgeon.

Regenerative Medicine

Regenerative Medicine has been at the forefront of new and emerging orthopedic treatment techniques.  Lubbock Sports Medicine provides the latest in regenerative technologies to aid, and in some cases, expedite the recovery process.  LSM offers two different techniques: Platlet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Stem Cell Therapy.  See below for patient education on these new and exciting topics!

 

 

 

Patient Education

• Stem Cell Therapy
• What is a Stem Cell?
• Platlet-Rich Plasma
  Platlet-Rich Plasma: What's Behind the Hype?

What are Stem Cells used for in Orthopedics?

Stem Cells and Orthopedics

 

Stem Cell FAQ
 

Q: What are stem cells?
A: Stem cells are unspecialized or undifferentiated cells, capable of two processes: self-renewal and differentiation.

Q: What is Regenerative Medicine?
A:  Regenerative Medicine is a new and advancing scientific field focused on the repair and regeneration of damaged tissue utilizing stem cells.

Q: What is the difference between adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells?
A: Adult stem cells are found in mature adult tissues including bone marrow and fat, while embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are not found in the adult human body. ESCs are obtained from donated in vitro fertilizations, which raises many ethical concerns.  Because ESCs are not autologous, there is a possibility of immune rejection. Adult stem cells do not raise ethical issues nor pose any risks for immune rejection.

Q: Does Celling Biosciences research or use embryonic stem cells in clinical procedures?
A: No, Lubbock Sports Medicine and Celling Biosciences’ cell therapy systems use only autologous adult stem cells isolated from the patient during surgery.  Celling Biosciences does not participate in embryonic stem cell research or use embryonic stem cells in clinical applications.

Q: Are there ethical issues associated with harvesting adult stem cells?
A: No, adult stem cells do not raise ethical questions as they are harvested from the patient’s body

Q: Where do adult stem cells come from?
A: In adults, stem cells are present within various tissues and organ systems, the most common being bone marrow and adipose or fat tissues. Other sources include the liver, epidermis, retina, skeletal muscle, intestine, brain, placenta, umbilical cord and dental pulp.

Q: How does Celling Biosciences obtain adult stem cells for use in cell treatment?
A: Celling Biosciences currently has systems that use adult stem cells from both bone marrow and adipose (fat) tissue. The stem cells are obtained through aspiration procedures during surgery.

Q: How are adult stem cells used in surgical procedures?

A: Adult stem cells are used to treat patients with damaged tissues due to age or deterioration. During a procedure, stem cells are isolated from the patient, concentrated and delivered back to the site of injury to assist in the healing process.

Q: Are there different types of adult stem cells?
A: Yes, there are many types of adult stem cells found in the body which have variable differentiation potentials. The adult stem cells that aid in the repair of damages tissue are multipotent, mesenchymal stem cells. These are located in bone marrow and adipose (fat) tissue.

Q: How do stem cells know what type of tissue to develop into?
A: The differentiation of stem cells is dependent on many factors, including cell signaling and micro-environmental signals. Based on these cues, stem cells are able to develop into healthy tissue needed to repair damaged tissue. For example, multipotent stem cells delivered to damaged bone will develop into bone cells to aid in tissue repair. The exact mechanism of lineage-specific differentiation is unknown at this point. 


Q: Will my body reject the stem cells?
A: No, adult stem cells are autologous and non-immunogenic.
 

Dr. Kevin Crawford

4110 22nd Place Lubbock, TX 79410

(806) 792-4329

Disclaimer:  This information is provided as an educational service, and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.  Anyone seeking seeking specific medical advice or assistance should consult his or her doctor or orthopedic surgeon.

Stay Hydrated & Stay Healthy

On or Off the field, it's important to stay hydrated.

So busy are we during sports activities or during the regular course of the day that we often forget to hydrate ourselves.  During moderate exercise in the Texas summer heat, that's the last thing you want to do. During intense physical activity, that's the worse thing you want to do.

If we forego water breaks, we could easily experience symptoms of dehydration.  The symptoms can range from dizziness, cramping, and headache to more serious fainting, coma, and even death.  

A multitude of dehydration-related deaths occur each year across the spectrum of highly intensive activities, and are especially prevalent throughout the South and Southwest. Therefore, not taking the necessary steps toward hydration can be a very quick and detrimental matter.  With 60% of the human body made up of water, even a slight dehydration can negatively impact an athlete's performance, putting him or her at risk even that much more.

Aside from helping to protect us from heat exhaustion and over-exertion of the body, proper water (or sports drink) intake also assists in muscle repair and function, as well as overall health.  

Fortunately, coaches and trainers in organized sports are typically ultra-aware of the need to hydrate their athletes.  Many include mandatory "rehydration periods" during practice and during the game. However, it's up to the individual athlete to drink what they need.

As untreated dehydration can quickly result in heatstroke, what are some of the telltale signs that our bodies are lacking sufficient liquid?  A lack of sweating or urination, headaches, fatigue, rapid pulse, nausea, and pale skin are some of the signs of dehydration, among others. 

Remember to keep it safe, keep it cool, and drink lots of water or sport drinks to help keep you at the top of your game.

Disclaimer:  This information is provided as an educational service, and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.  Anyone seeking seeking specific medical advice or assistance should consult his or her doctor or orthopedic surgeon.

Lubbock Sports Medicine

Dr. Kevin Crawford, MD

4110 22nd Place Lubbock, TX 79409

(806) 792-4329

Bottled Water vs Tap Water

With current global demand reaching $60 billion is sales, it actually wasn't until the last several decades that bottled water became a hit in the US. However, its wide use has been much more the norm Internationally for a much longer period. This is probably due to the fact that so many countries still haven't quite gotten the knack of providing potable water to their masses.  

Projected to become the #1 drink by 2016, the average US consumption per capita reached 34 gallons last year, as opposed to a mere 1.6 gallons per capita in 1976.  So, one would assume that bottled water is a naturally healthy alternative to that nasty-tasting tap water, right?  Well... Not so quick.

Drinking a cool bottle of water (in of course a plastic bottle, which is fodder for a whole other conversation), gives us images of fresh mountain springs, natural runoffs from the snow-capped Alps, etc.  Unfortunately for our health, we don't always get such "pure" water in our plastic bottles. Yet, some of the labeling would have us believe that we are drinking pure, liquid glaciers. We have become conditioned (thanks to effective marketing) to think that this pristine bottled water has to be better than our dirty old tap water.  Such a notion could actually be quite far from reality.

In fact, not all bottled water is the same.  And, with the lack of mandatory, precise labeling, we're often times not sure where our selected H2O in effect comes from - regardless of the mountain images and marketing campaigns.  Thankfully, people are starting to question how healthy bottled water really is, as well as the environmental impact of the packaging it comes in.  

While some bottled water does come from streams and are supposedly "treated", others come from regular municipal water supplies.  Other brands purify their water through distillation or reverse osmosis.  Regardless, we can't deny the convenience of carrying a bottle of H2O in our cars, in our office, or at the gym.  "But no one should think that bottled water is better regulated, better protected or safer than tap,” says Eric Goldstein, co-director of the urban program at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), which is a nonprofit organization whose mission is toward protecting community health and the environment.

Surprisingly, more than 25 percent of bottled water comes from a municipal supply. The water is treated, purified to some degree, and sold to us with a thousand-fold increase in price.  So what are we paying for - more healthy, purified water or simply glorified tap water? 

Three of the biggest sellers of bottled water are coming clean.  This year Nestlé Pure Life bottles will indicate whether their water comes from private, public, or deep well sources.  Aquafina will begin labeling that its contents come from public water sources.  Dasani states on its website that its water is sourced from local water, but not on the label itself.  For a health review of some of the major brands, visit http://www.cleanairpurewater.com/best_bottled_water.html.

The inconsistencies with the actual sourcing and purification processes of so many bottled water providers makes choosing a good brand that much more difficult for all of us.  Plus, there is little imperial data available on the purity of one brand vs. another vs. simple tap water.  In fact, there have been reports showing that tap water along with a good home filter can actually be one of the best solutions available.  And, if you want a bottle for the road, go for it.  Just make sure it's environmentally friendly and health-wise.

Live life to its Fullest!

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Disclaimer:  This information has been provided by Dr. Kevin Crawford, Lubbock Sports Medicine as general information only. It is not intended for any patient or specific situation.  Exercise with care and under a doctor's supervision.

Lubbock Sports Medicine

Dr. Kevin Crawford, MD

4110 22nd Place Lubbock, TX 79409

(806) 792-4329

Brief History, Professional Football Helmet

Although Professional Football originally got its roots 125 years ago (November 12, 1892), it wasn't arguably until the 1970s that the pro football helmet finally started to offer a significant level of head protection for the players.

The first attempts at any cranial protection were simple leather helmets that were so pliable and thin, that they could be folded up and stuck in the player's pocket. The technology was slow to respond over the next several decades, but eventually included thicker leather, some interior padding, and a chin strap - all of which stayed the norm until the 1950s.  

However, the athletes did have access to a hard leather nose guard, which more resembled a piece of equipment normally used to protect another part of the players (ahem... more important) anatomy.

The 1950s / 1960s saw the infusion of plastic helmets, with a bit more and enhanced interior padding, along with a single face bar.  Better and more complete face guards, stronger plastics, and impact-resistant foam wouldn't make it on the field until the latter part of the 1970s and into the 1980s.

With such enhanced computer technology, ever-improving high density foams, carbon fiber, and hardened plastic materials, today's NFL helmets (as with the rest of the gear) is now offering a tremendous level of impact protection as never before.

2014 Professional Football Helmet

When we have such an invigorating sport that involves bone-crushing hits as a matter of routine, it's imperative that we continue to safeguard the health of our top sports athletes.  Football is a game that we love.  Let's protect our players accordingly - for their sake, and for the sake of the Game.

Live life to its Fullest!

Follow Us!

Facebook       Google+

Disclaimer:  This information has been provided by Dr. Kevin Crawford, Lubbock Sports Medicine as general information only. It is not intended for any patient or specific situation.  Exercise with care and under a doctor's supervision.

Lubbock Sports Medicine

Dr. Kevin Crawford, MD
4110 22nd Place Lubbock, TX 79409

(806) 792-4329

Dr. Kevin Crawford, Leading Orthopedic Surgeon in Lubbock Texas

Meet Dr. Kevin Crawford

As a leading orthopedic surgeon in Lubbock TX, and focused on minimally invasive surgical techniques, Dr. Kevin Crawford's expertise includes arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery of the shoulder, knee, and elbow with an emphasis on advanced arthroscopic techniques.  Dr. Kevin Crawford is the premier ACL doctor in Lubbock TX, with a high emphasis on ACL Reconstruction. In 2004, Dr. Crawford was asked to serve as a U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team Physician. Since that time he has traveled the world to care for the athletes of the U.S. Men's Alpine ski team. Dr. Crawford currently serves as the Medical Director and Head Team Orthopedist for Texas Tech University Athletics. Dr. Crawford has been voted KCBD’s “Best of the West” in orthopedic surgery six times since the award’s inception in 2009, and has been named to the Texas Super Doctors list every year since 2009 (View Texas Super Doctor List).

Dr. Crawford serves on the Review Panel for the American Journal of Sports Medicine and the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery.  Dr. Crawford enjoys treating patients of all ages with activity-related shoulder and knee conditions. Dr. Crawford is a Lubbock native, having attended Monterey High School prior to graduating from Baylor University in 1987. He earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, Texas, in 1992. He completed an Orthopedic Surgery Residency at UT Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Hospital, later accepting a Sports Medicine Fellowship with the prestigious Steadman-Hawkins Clinic in Vail, Colorado. During this year-long fellowship he received advanced training in arthroscopic knee and shoulder surgery.  He returned home to West Texas to join the physicians of Lubbock Sports Medicine (formerly Lubbock Bone & Joint Clinic).

Dr. Crawford has authored several book chapters and been published in a number of peer reviewed journals. Professional interests include the use of biologics such as stem cells to aid in the healing of rotator cuff tear repairs. He has a Sports Subspecialty Certificate from the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.  He is a fellow in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery, a member of the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine, the Arthroscopy Association of North American, and is a Diplomat of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Dr. Crawford and his wife Maura have three children: Kylie, Colin, and Cadan.

Lubbock Sports Medicine

Dr. Kevin Crawford, MD
4110 22nd Place Lubbock, TX 79409

(806) 792-4329