Team of Experts

A sprain is a stretch and/or tear of a ligament, the fibrous band of tissue joining the end of one bone with another that stabilizes and supports the body's joints. As with burns, there are three "degrees" of sprains: mild (first-degree), moderate (second degree) and severe (third-degree). While the intensity varies, pain, bruising, and swelling (inflammation) are common to all three categories. All can be treated in a doctor's office. Whether an x-ray is required depends a fracture is suspected.

New CPR Rules Don't Apply To Kids

Perhaps no other topic sparks as much heated debate among parents as the practice of cutting potential players from middle or high school teams. While there are two sides to the argument, I believe the practice is outmoded and needs to be reexamined in light of twenty-first century realities.

In the July-September 2001 issue of the Journal Of Athletic Training devoted exclusively to the subject of concussions in athletes, I proposed some modifications to a set of concussion grading guidelines I first issued in 1986 based on my experience in the fifteen years since.

The finding by a neuropathologist that brain damage from repeated concussions suffered by former NFL star Andre Waters likely led to his depression and ultimate death by suicide in November 2006 highlights once again the critical need for parents and youth athletes to become educated and proactive about concussions.