CINCINNATI (WKRC) — As high school football games kick off on Friday nights, excitement fills the air with competition, family time, and fun gatherings. However, medical teams at OrthoCincy are preparing for an uptick in patients, particularly for initial injury evaluations.
Dr. Nicholas Early, a sports medicine specialist at OrthoCincy, said, “So fall’s a very busy time, we see a lot of injuries related to ankle sprains, knee injuries, shoulder injuries, everything like that. It’s not even just football, we’ll also see a lot of soccer-related injuries, volleyball-related injuries. Another big one is cross country starts, and we see a lot of stress and running-related injuries as well.”
Dr. Early, who specializes in knee and shoulder surgery, emphasized the importance of the RICE method for treating injuries. He recommended resting the injured area, applying ice to reduce swelling and pain, using compression, and elevating the injury above the heart if possible.
He advised seeking medical attention if severe pain worsens instead of improving, swelling does not subside, or if there is an inability to move or walk on the injured area.
For those in need of urgent care, OrthoCincy offers several after-hours and weekend orthopedic urgent care centers for sports injuries, which can reduce wait times and provide care outside of regular hours. You can also click here to book an appointment online.
