Medical experts say sport injuries increase during the fall season

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)-

MU Health Care medical experts say the start of the school year often sees a noticeable increase in sports-related injuries, as athletes begin preparing for their seasons.

Dr. Clayton Nuelle, an orthopedic surgeon at MU Health Care said that a sudden spike in physical exertion can elevate the risk of injury, as athletes may not be fully conditioned for the season.

"It's a combination of factors. You know, kids and students and athletes have been gone all summer, going on vacations in summer and then they get back into school and they get highly active," Nuelle said. "The level of intensity and the frequency with which they do certain activities greatly increases."

The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 5-10% of athletes will suffer a concussion during any given sports season. Dr. Nuelle said any signs of altered consciousness should be treated as a serious red flag because it could indicate a possible head injury.

“If an athlete or player shows any signs of altered consciousness, that's an immediate red flag for a potential head injury," Nuelle said.

The sport of football is commonly known for uniting people across the country, but the athletes on the field endure a significant toll on their bodies.

Michael Egnew, a former Mizzou football player who went on to play in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins for several years now serving as the head coach of Tolton Catholic High School Football for the past few seasons Egnew, said that major injuries rarely occur.

“There’s definitely a risk-reward element to playing football and sports in general,” Egnew said. “We know that you're taking a risk by stepping on a field, but I don't think I'd ever want to have players avoid risk,"

According to the NFL, there were 219 reported concussions during the 2023 regular season and preseason, a slight increase from 213 the previous year. The highest number of concussions over the last nine years occurred in 2017, with 281 reported cases. Over 1,600 players make up the NFL, indicating the number of concussions is relatively low in comparison to the size of the league.

Miami Dolphins Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was recently placed on injured reserve, after he was diagnosed with his third concussion in two years during a Thursday night game versus the Buffalo Bills.

Egnew said he believes football can have a negative perception when it comes to injuries, but says he thinks the risks are often exaggerated.

“We wear armor, you know, and so it gets this image that it's this dangerous thing, but it’s not as dangerous as people make it seem," Egnew said.

Dr. Nuelle said that the most common sports injuries are sprains and strains, such as ankle, knee, or shoulder injuries.

"These injuries usually occur when an athlete overexerts themselves or is placed in a twisting or turning position, resulting in muscle strains or ligament sprains," Nuelle said.

Egnew agrees, noting that while injuries happen, it’s rare for them to escalate into more serious conditions.

"I think the most common stuff is like your sprains and minor tears, stuff like that," Egnew said. "Usually, typically, probably once a year someone will have to have something that needs a surgery."

For athletes coping with injuries, Egnew emphasizes the importance of trusting medical professionals and taking time to reflect on the challenges they're facing.

"Have them (medical professionals) look at the injury and at the same time take their advice fully. At the same time learn what you can do. I'll tell you right now, me as an athlete, I was never 100% healthy," Egnew said. "These things (injuries) happen, so it's like how can I perform at my best while fighting through minor injuries and also thinking about the long term and my career and life?"

Dr. Nuelle said that preparation is crucial to staying healthy, which includes getting the proper rest and nutrition.