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Release Date: May 2008

CARING FOR SPORTS INJURIES

If you want to dance like a star or shoot hoops like a pro, you need to be prepared for injuries. Don’t take valuable time away from the dance floor or the court because you get hurt—learn how to recognize injuries and how to heal faster once they happen. Caring for Sports Injuries, a free package of brochures from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and the Federal Citizen Information Center is just what you need to get yourself back in top form.

Sports injuries can hit anyone, even children. Sprains, fractures, dislocations, shin splints—each one causes pain. And no matter whether you’re young, old, male, female, often active, or exercise irregularly, you should be on the lookout for signs of an injury. Acute injuries, such as a sprain, strain, or fracture, happen suddenly: you may feel sudden pain, tenderness, swelling, or weakness. Chronic injuries stem from overuse over long periods of time. Bursitis and tendinitis are common chronic injuries. You might feel pain, swelling, or a dull ache when you’re at rest if you have one of these injuries. Learn more about the common types of injuries and how to recognize them with the Caring for Sports Injuries package.

If you are injured, take action immediately—STOP what you’re doing! You have no reason to “work through” the pain, and it probably won’t just “work itself out.” If you have severe pain or swelling or if you can’t put weight on the area, call a health professional right away. If you don’t have those symptoms, use the RICE method to ease your discomfort: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. You may still want to consult a health care provider at some point, however; when you do, use the Caring for Sports Injuries package to learn more about which types of doctors can treat you.

Whether you regularly pick up a racket for the school team or occasionally play backyard games with your kids, sports injuries are a possibility. Be prepared with the information in this free package, and then get back to having fun! There are three easy ways to place your order:

  • **This package is no longer available for order. You may read the publications it included by following the links above in the body of the release.**

Get even more information and take advantage of online government resources at www.USA.gov and www.GobiernoUSA.gov—your official English and Spanish web portals to the Federal government.

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  • Please check with Rebecca Fulcher if you plan to use this release after August 15, 2008.
  • If you would like to receive these releases by e-mail send a request to rebecca.fulcher(at)gsa.gov or call (202) 501-1794.

GSA #2875

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