Injuries are a part and parcel of the sports world. And sometimes you need to undergo full rehabilitation following treatment before returning to the arena. This week, our panel of experts answers your questions on sudden injuries on the field that might leave you with a bloody nose or a twisted ankle while competing in a cycling contest.

Q: I am a squash player and am 27 years old. A few months ago while playing my left ankle twisted, and I was brought to the hospital where my ankle was plastered due to a hair-line fracture. I was recovered in a few weeks time but when I started to play again, my left ankle developed a sharp pain. Please advise which doctor to visit? —Ibrahim Khan

A: Dear reader, squash is a game in which players are prone to ankle injuries due to frequent, repetitive, fast and explosive movements. These sudden movements potentially lead to sprains and fractures around the ankle. You mentioned fracture in ankle which was managed with conservative treatment suggesting an injury of low intensity. Before return to sports after fracture there is a full session of rehabilitation in order to restore muscular coordination of ankle for aggressive movements. There is always a chance of again developing a sprain in ligaments around the ankle after fracture healing. It is strongly advised that you hold your sports activities and visit an orthopedic surgeon with special interest in foot and ankle surgery for complete evaluation.

Dr. Muhammad Sufyan

FCPS (Ortho) AO Fellow (Germany), Sports Medicine Fellowship (Singapore)

Assistant Professor | Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

Liaquat National Hospital & MedicalCollege

Q: I am a cyclist and participate in various tournaments held all over Pakistan. For the last two months I’ve been suffering pain in my right knee while cycling. My friends say some kind of arthritis has developed in my knee. I am 28 years old. Please advise. —Mansoor Qaiser

A: Dear Mansoor, cycling is one of the best exercise, which strengthens the whole body, it keep your muscles, tendons, ligaments strong and restrain them from sprain, strain or any deep injury due to trauma. Cycling itself off loads the joints and further prevent from joint arthritis. In this age that you mentioned the arthritis is least likely and the reason for your pain might be another cause which requires thorough examination and assessment by your doctor. The correct diagnosis and treatment will lead to relief from your pain and allow you to return back to your routine activity.

Dr. Muhammad Kazim Rahim

MD, FCPS (Ortho) AO Fellow (Germany), Sports medicine Fellow (IRI) (France), Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Fellowship (PAS, Pak)

Assistant Professor | Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

Liaquat National Hospital & Medical College

Q: I am 24. While participating in a Kung-Fu bout I experienced an unbearable pain in my spine and I had to leave the fight. The pain is still there and my coach says that it could be a “slipped- disc”. I want to see a good specialist doctor. Please suggest one. —Naveed Bhatti

A: Slipped disc or Herniated disc can occur due to multiple reasons. When it happens, it usually causes back pain, leg pain and numbness in legs as the most common symptoms.

I suggest if you have such complaints, visit a neurosurgeon. He will examine you and may order MRI and other required investigations. Furthermore, he will guide you with precautions such as no bending; no lifting weight etc. He may also prescribe some medications if required.

Dr. Saad Akhter Khan

FCPS

Assistant Professor | Department of Spinal and Neurosurgery

Liaquat National Hospital & Medical College

Q: While playing hockey, the ball hit my nose and bleeding started. After a few minutes the bleeding stopped but since then I don’t smell and while sleeping I snore. I am 31 years old. Please advise. —Khurshid Alam

A: The nerve endings for sense of smell are located in the area of the roof of the nose. The injury to the nose may have caused damage to this area resulting in disruption of the nerve fibers causing loss of sense of smell. Similarly you may have suffered damage to your nasal septum causing nasal obstruction resulting in snoring. Do you have clear watery discharge from your nose since the injury?

Please get in touch with an ENT surgeon who would be able to examine, investigate and tell you what is wrong and suggest a treatment.

Dr. Saeed Akhtar

FRCS (Edinburgh)

Assistant Professor | Department of E.N.T-Head and Neck Surgery

Liaquat National Hospital & Medical College

(All the specialists on our experts’ panel are associated with Liaquat National Hospital. Please send your queries at khalidhraj@gmail.com or Anjum.Rizvi@lnh.edu.pk.)

– Khalid Hussain