CU Women's Sports Medicine

Common Active Women's Injuries Treated

• Stress fracture - A repetitive overuse injury most commonly seen in running activities that leads to an injury to the bone.​
• Osteoporosis - A thinning of the bone prematurely which can lead to a susceptibility for developing fractures in young and older woman.
• Knee pain and hip pain in adolescent girls - One of the most common problems affecting active and athletic girls and women. Issues regarding the alignment of muscles and boned and soft tissues contribute to pain in front of the knee.
• Scoliosis - Curvature of the spine occurs commonly in adolescence. This should be monitored to determine if options such as bracing are needed.
• ACL injuries- The ACL is a major stabilizing ligament in the knee. It is much more common for ACL injuries to develop in girls and women than boys. There are educational materials developed that can help prevent this injury in girls and women.
• Hand and wrist and elbow injuries - Depending on the sport and/or activity, injuries such as tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, and carpal tunnel syndrome are commonly seen. Instruction on how to prevent and treat overuse injuries are available.
• Shoulder pain- Girls and women often have loose ligaments that may predispose them to developing shoulder injuries. These require a rehabilitation program to help re-educate the muscles about the shoulder to help compensate for the loose ligaments.
• Running injuries- Wider hip bones, more angles between the hip, knee, and ankle predispose girls and women to developing knee and shin pain, and foot and ankle pain. Attention to these differences in alignment help us treat these injuries in girls and women.
• Low back pain - Depending on the sport and/or activity, girls and women are susceptible to developing low back pain. Addressing the mechanics of the sport and the posture, strength and conditioning of the athlete, help us to diagnose and treat these conditions.
• Menstrual disturbance/amenorrhea - It is important for girls and women to understand the importance of having regular menstrual periods throughout their teenage and adult years. This has a direct effect upon their bone health. Disorders in this area can lead to susceptibility of fractures. Achieving a balanced exercise program and diet in order to keep menses regular is very important.
• Disordered eating - Avoiding certain foods or using laxatives and diuretics to control one's weight are known techniques that girls and women use to control weight for sports or personal reasons. Education regarding the consequences of this approach is provided.