The Cobra
12-24-2010, 03:29 PM
Cobra....
I ran across this little article that I found kinda interesting so I thought I`d share it with you guys.
Feeling the pain of a Brett Favre injury
By Patrick Hruby
Sprains, strains and fractured bones: If it aches or breaks, Brett Favre probably has endured it. Yet now that the quarterback's nearly inconceivable 297-game consecutive-starts streak finally has come to an end, it's time to ask: What if Favre weren't a professional football player?
What if he worked in a office like the rest of us?
Would his streak still seem tough?
Or would it seem ... slightly nuts?
To translate Favre's iron-man run into everyday terms, Page 2 compiled a list of the quarterback's career injuries, then ran them past a group of medical experts for perspective. Curious as to how Favre's injuries would affect you? Read on:
1. First-degree left-shoulder separation
Year: 1991
Favre file: Suffered injury against Chicago, led comeback victory over Philadelphia the next week.
Feels like: Soreness of movement when lifting your arm above your head. But otherwise, not so bad -- although a third-degree sprain entails total dislocation of the joint, a first-degree change is minor. "On a [1-10] pain scale, it's probably a 3," says Stuart Yoss, team chiropractor for the Chicago Blackhawks and a former team chiropractor for the Bears.
Standard treatment: Rest, ice and anti-inflammatories. Possibly a sling.
Average recovery time: Two to four weeks.
Weekend warrior impact: Makes sleeping and getting dressed difficult. Solution? Don't sleep or change clothes. In other words, this may be the ideal injury for "Black Ops" addicts.
2. Deep-thigh bruise
Year: 1993
Favre file: Sustained injury against Tampa Bay -- then threw winning touchdown pass on the next play.
Feels like: Potentially very painful -- think the worst charley horse of all time. Standing, walking, using stairs and even sitting can be brutal, in part because sufferers can't always straighten their knees.
Standard treatment: Ice, massage, rest and light stretching. Possibly a few days on crutches. If a collection of blood forms, a needle can be placed in the thigh to remove fluid. Yuck.
Average recovery time: One to six weeks.
Weekend warrior impact: Major impairment -- and unhappiness -- until it heals. "If this happens to a normal person, they'll be limping around and complaining to their [spouse] that they can't do anything," Yoss says.
3. Severely bruised left hip
Year: 1994
Favre file: Suffered injury against Minnesota; enjoyed bye week before playing next game against Chicago.
Feels like: Also known as a hip pointer. "It's very painful due to all the nerves that cross the hip ridge," says Dr. Cindy Trowbridge, clinical education director for the Athletic Training Education Program at the University of Texas at Arlington. "It hurts to breathe, laugh and even sit up." Other than that, Mr. Favre, how did you like the play?
Standard treatment: Requires stretching and occasional injections. Avoid walking on ice.
Average recovery time: One to six weeks.
Weekend warrior impact: Joint pounding and body-twisting activities -- such as running and golf -- are out. And since laughing is painful, you're better off avoiding free to read Page 2 during your office lunch break.
4. Severely sprained left ankle
Year: 1995
Favre file: Suffered injury against Minnesota, then set quarterback rating career high the next week versus Chicago.
Feels like: Very painful, as "severe" indicates complete tearing of the ligaments on the outside of the ankle, which swells badly and can no longer bear weight. On the other hand, "the ankle turns lots of cool colors," Yoss says. Suffer for your body art!
Standard treatment: Rest, ice, elevation and anti-inflammatories. Crutches or a walking boot. Possible brace once you return to normal activities, probable rehab to prevent reinjury.
Average recovery time: Two to three months. Do not skip rehab. "Sprains that are not treated can become chronic and lead to instability of the ankle," says Dr. Gary Brazina, an orthopedic surgeon and team doctor for the Los Angeles Kings and Clippers.
Weekend warrior impact: In the short term, you can kiss rec league hoops goodbye; in the long term, you may have to remake yourself as a long-distance set shooter. "Unfortunately, when an ankle isn't fractured it usually doesn't get treated seriously in the general population," Trowbridge says. "You'll get crutches, an Ace wrap and be told to take Advil. But physical therapy is needed to restore the ankle."
5. Wind knocked out, twice, and coughed up blood
Year: 1995
Favre file: Suffered against Pittsburgh but remained in game and led Green Bay to victory.
Feels like: Getting hit by a baseball bat in your gut. Hard. "It's like you're suffocating and can't catch your breath no matter how hard you try," says Dr. Stephen Hunt, a sports health specialist at Morristown Memorial Hospital in Morristown, N.J.
Standard treatment: Rest -- that is, after you've gone to the hospital and undergone a bunch of costly tests (MRI scan, X-rays, pulmonary function studies). "A potentially serious injury," Brazina says. "More likely than not, it will cause damage to lung tissue. An individual needs to be watched closely to be sure that the lung has not collapsed and bleeding is controlled."
Average recovery time: If blood indicates rib fractures, up to six weeks; if not, a couple of days. "As long as all organs are intact," Yoss adds. Right. That, too.
Weekend warrior impact: Avoid strenuous activity for a few weeks.
6. Sprained right thumb
Year: 1999
Favre file: Suffered during preseason game against Denver and played much of the season with the injury.
Feels like: Ouch. Swelling at the base of the thumb and in the palm. Reduction in grip strength. Coincidentally, a common ski injury.
Standard treatment: Ice, rest, anti-inflammatories. Also, a splint or brace is crucial, because otherwise it's almost impossible to rest the joint and allow it to heal properly.
Average recovery time: Four to six weeks -- unless there's complete instability in the joint, in which case you might need surgery.
Weekend warrior impact: You'll be back in the office the next day. But everything -- from typing to driving to opening jars -- is going to be a literal and figurative pain. "We take our thumb for granted, but his injury brings us back to being an ape," Yoss says. "Without using our opposable thumb, there is not much of a difference."
7. Right-elbow tendinitis
Year(s): 2000, 2010
Favre file: Suffered in 2000 training camp and missed three preseason games.
Feels like: Reduced grip and wrist strength. Typically mild to moderate pain. That said, the more you use the elbow joint -- practically speaking, the more you use your afflicted arm -- the more painful it becomes.
Standard treatment: Ice, anti-inflammatories, possible brace, definite rest. Maybe a cortisone injection. Possible surgery to remove scar tissue.
Average recovery time: Four to 12 weeks. As a general rule, Trowbridge says, it takes two to three times as long to recover from symptoms as it took to develop them.
Weekend warrior impact: Like a sprained thumb, elbow tendinitis -- often called tennis or golfer's elbow -- affects every aspect of daily life. "A lot of people have trouble pouring a cup of coffee," Yoss says. Oh, and no Wii bowling, either.
8. Left mid-foot sprain
Year: 2000
Favre file: Suffered when sacked against Tampa Bay, led Green Bay to victory over Indianapolis the next week.
Feels like: An injury to the arch of the foot. Mild soreness to major pain, depending on the severity of the sprain. Can't bear weight.
Standard treatment: Rest, ice and anti-inflammatories. Possibly crutches or a walking boot.
Average recovery time: One to 12 weeks. Again, depends on the severity.
Weekend warrior impact: No recreational sports for up to three months -- including golf, as rotation of the foot would be difficult.
9. Sprained lateral collateral ligament, left knee
Year: 2002
Favre file: Suffered when sacked against Washington. Recovered during bye week and wore knee brace for most of remaining season games.
Feels like: Mild to moderate pain, and a feeling of instability in the knee. The good news? Unless you're a skier or involved in full-contact backyard Thanksgiving football games, you're unlikely to suffer a sprained LCL, which usually strikes high school and college athletes.
Standard treatment: Ice, rest and crutches. A hinged knee brace. Rehab only if you ask for it.
Average recovery time: Six to 12 weeks.
Weekend warrior impact: Office and home life are fine, but activities involving running, cutting and jumping are out. In other words: It won't get you out of raking leaves. Bleah.
10. Broken right thumb
Year: 2003
Favre file: Suffered against St. Louis; after bye week, threw three touchdown passes in victory over Minnesota.
Feels like: Moderate pain, but function can be completely impaired depending on the nature of the fracture.
Standard treatment: Arm placed in a cast for four to six weeks, followed by a splint for a few additional weeks. Next comes rehab to improve range of motion and strength. After that, you'll still be sore.
Average recovery time: Six weeks. Four months if surgery is required.
Weekend warrior impact: No sports until fully healed. Cast makes typing difficult. Anything that requires gripping is a no-no.
I ran across this little article that I found kinda interesting so I thought I`d share it with you guys.
Feeling the pain of a Brett Favre injury
By Patrick Hruby
Sprains, strains and fractured bones: If it aches or breaks, Brett Favre probably has endured it. Yet now that the quarterback's nearly inconceivable 297-game consecutive-starts streak finally has come to an end, it's time to ask: What if Favre weren't a professional football player?
What if he worked in a office like the rest of us?
Would his streak still seem tough?
Or would it seem ... slightly nuts?
To translate Favre's iron-man run into everyday terms, Page 2 compiled a list of the quarterback's career injuries, then ran them past a group of medical experts for perspective. Curious as to how Favre's injuries would affect you? Read on:
1. First-degree left-shoulder separation
Year: 1991
Favre file: Suffered injury against Chicago, led comeback victory over Philadelphia the next week.
Feels like: Soreness of movement when lifting your arm above your head. But otherwise, not so bad -- although a third-degree sprain entails total dislocation of the joint, a first-degree change is minor. "On a [1-10] pain scale, it's probably a 3," says Stuart Yoss, team chiropractor for the Chicago Blackhawks and a former team chiropractor for the Bears.
Standard treatment: Rest, ice and anti-inflammatories. Possibly a sling.
Average recovery time: Two to four weeks.
Weekend warrior impact: Makes sleeping and getting dressed difficult. Solution? Don't sleep or change clothes. In other words, this may be the ideal injury for "Black Ops" addicts.
2. Deep-thigh bruise
Year: 1993
Favre file: Sustained injury against Tampa Bay -- then threw winning touchdown pass on the next play.
Feels like: Potentially very painful -- think the worst charley horse of all time. Standing, walking, using stairs and even sitting can be brutal, in part because sufferers can't always straighten their knees.
Standard treatment: Ice, massage, rest and light stretching. Possibly a few days on crutches. If a collection of blood forms, a needle can be placed in the thigh to remove fluid. Yuck.
Average recovery time: One to six weeks.
Weekend warrior impact: Major impairment -- and unhappiness -- until it heals. "If this happens to a normal person, they'll be limping around and complaining to their [spouse] that they can't do anything," Yoss says.
3. Severely bruised left hip
Year: 1994
Favre file: Suffered injury against Minnesota; enjoyed bye week before playing next game against Chicago.
Feels like: Also known as a hip pointer. "It's very painful due to all the nerves that cross the hip ridge," says Dr. Cindy Trowbridge, clinical education director for the Athletic Training Education Program at the University of Texas at Arlington. "It hurts to breathe, laugh and even sit up." Other than that, Mr. Favre, how did you like the play?
Standard treatment: Requires stretching and occasional injections. Avoid walking on ice.
Average recovery time: One to six weeks.
Weekend warrior impact: Joint pounding and body-twisting activities -- such as running and golf -- are out. And since laughing is painful, you're better off avoiding free to read Page 2 during your office lunch break.
4. Severely sprained left ankle
Year: 1995
Favre file: Suffered injury against Minnesota, then set quarterback rating career high the next week versus Chicago.
Feels like: Very painful, as "severe" indicates complete tearing of the ligaments on the outside of the ankle, which swells badly and can no longer bear weight. On the other hand, "the ankle turns lots of cool colors," Yoss says. Suffer for your body art!
Standard treatment: Rest, ice, elevation and anti-inflammatories. Crutches or a walking boot. Possible brace once you return to normal activities, probable rehab to prevent reinjury.
Average recovery time: Two to three months. Do not skip rehab. "Sprains that are not treated can become chronic and lead to instability of the ankle," says Dr. Gary Brazina, an orthopedic surgeon and team doctor for the Los Angeles Kings and Clippers.
Weekend warrior impact: In the short term, you can kiss rec league hoops goodbye; in the long term, you may have to remake yourself as a long-distance set shooter. "Unfortunately, when an ankle isn't fractured it usually doesn't get treated seriously in the general population," Trowbridge says. "You'll get crutches, an Ace wrap and be told to take Advil. But physical therapy is needed to restore the ankle."
5. Wind knocked out, twice, and coughed up blood
Year: 1995
Favre file: Suffered against Pittsburgh but remained in game and led Green Bay to victory.
Feels like: Getting hit by a baseball bat in your gut. Hard. "It's like you're suffocating and can't catch your breath no matter how hard you try," says Dr. Stephen Hunt, a sports health specialist at Morristown Memorial Hospital in Morristown, N.J.
Standard treatment: Rest -- that is, after you've gone to the hospital and undergone a bunch of costly tests (MRI scan, X-rays, pulmonary function studies). "A potentially serious injury," Brazina says. "More likely than not, it will cause damage to lung tissue. An individual needs to be watched closely to be sure that the lung has not collapsed and bleeding is controlled."
Average recovery time: If blood indicates rib fractures, up to six weeks; if not, a couple of days. "As long as all organs are intact," Yoss adds. Right. That, too.
Weekend warrior impact: Avoid strenuous activity for a few weeks.
6. Sprained right thumb
Year: 1999
Favre file: Suffered during preseason game against Denver and played much of the season with the injury.
Feels like: Ouch. Swelling at the base of the thumb and in the palm. Reduction in grip strength. Coincidentally, a common ski injury.
Standard treatment: Ice, rest, anti-inflammatories. Also, a splint or brace is crucial, because otherwise it's almost impossible to rest the joint and allow it to heal properly.
Average recovery time: Four to six weeks -- unless there's complete instability in the joint, in which case you might need surgery.
Weekend warrior impact: You'll be back in the office the next day. But everything -- from typing to driving to opening jars -- is going to be a literal and figurative pain. "We take our thumb for granted, but his injury brings us back to being an ape," Yoss says. "Without using our opposable thumb, there is not much of a difference."
7. Right-elbow tendinitis
Year(s): 2000, 2010
Favre file: Suffered in 2000 training camp and missed three preseason games.
Feels like: Reduced grip and wrist strength. Typically mild to moderate pain. That said, the more you use the elbow joint -- practically speaking, the more you use your afflicted arm -- the more painful it becomes.
Standard treatment: Ice, anti-inflammatories, possible brace, definite rest. Maybe a cortisone injection. Possible surgery to remove scar tissue.
Average recovery time: Four to 12 weeks. As a general rule, Trowbridge says, it takes two to three times as long to recover from symptoms as it took to develop them.
Weekend warrior impact: Like a sprained thumb, elbow tendinitis -- often called tennis or golfer's elbow -- affects every aspect of daily life. "A lot of people have trouble pouring a cup of coffee," Yoss says. Oh, and no Wii bowling, either.
8. Left mid-foot sprain
Year: 2000
Favre file: Suffered when sacked against Tampa Bay, led Green Bay to victory over Indianapolis the next week.
Feels like: An injury to the arch of the foot. Mild soreness to major pain, depending on the severity of the sprain. Can't bear weight.
Standard treatment: Rest, ice and anti-inflammatories. Possibly crutches or a walking boot.
Average recovery time: One to 12 weeks. Again, depends on the severity.
Weekend warrior impact: No recreational sports for up to three months -- including golf, as rotation of the foot would be difficult.
9. Sprained lateral collateral ligament, left knee
Year: 2002
Favre file: Suffered when sacked against Washington. Recovered during bye week and wore knee brace for most of remaining season games.
Feels like: Mild to moderate pain, and a feeling of instability in the knee. The good news? Unless you're a skier or involved in full-contact backyard Thanksgiving football games, you're unlikely to suffer a sprained LCL, which usually strikes high school and college athletes.
Standard treatment: Ice, rest and crutches. A hinged knee brace. Rehab only if you ask for it.
Average recovery time: Six to 12 weeks.
Weekend warrior impact: Office and home life are fine, but activities involving running, cutting and jumping are out. In other words: It won't get you out of raking leaves. Bleah.
10. Broken right thumb
Year: 2003
Favre file: Suffered against St. Louis; after bye week, threw three touchdown passes in victory over Minnesota.
Feels like: Moderate pain, but function can be completely impaired depending on the nature of the fracture.
Standard treatment: Arm placed in a cast for four to six weeks, followed by a splint for a few additional weeks. Next comes rehab to improve range of motion and strength. After that, you'll still be sore.
Average recovery time: Six weeks. Four months if surgery is required.
Weekend warrior impact: No sports until fully healed. Cast makes typing difficult. Anything that requires gripping is a no-no.