St. Francis Sports Medicine Newsletter |  February 2009

About Us

St. Francis
Sports Medicine


Physician Network

Injury Prevention Tips

Call 675-HURT
if you have a sports
injury, or if you are
interested in having
one of our Certified
Athletic Trainers
speak to your group
or cover your event.




Physician
Spotlight

baumgarten

Dr. Tom Baumgarten

 


Community
Calendar

Come visit
St. Francis Sports
Medicine at these
community events:
 
2/7
 
Injury Clinic with
Kenny Cabe, ATC

2/22
2/24

Injury Clinic with
Kenny Cabe, ATC
 
2/28
 



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Greetings!

February is the time when many folks begin to  gear back up their training, whether it's on the bike or running. Remember, we're here for all you sports medicine needs and are on hand 24/7 at 864-675-HURT.


Road Rash: Treat Abrasions Right


By Kenny Cabe, ATC
Athletic Trainer - St. Francis Sports Medicine
 
The Greenville and Spartanburg areas have become a hot bed of cycling in recent years. We are seeing everything from road racing to mountain biking, and with each of them comes the inevitable crash. One cyclist told me "if you ride enough, it's not a matter if you will crash, but when and how often". Abrasions occur in other sports and activities as well, it is vital that the wounds be cleaned properly in order to facilitate healing and speed recovery, but also to prevent complications. The complications that can occur can range from simple infections to the extremely serious MRSA or staph infection. MRSA has become more and more prevalent in our society.
 
Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to simply as "staph," are bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people. Approximately 25% to 30% of the population is colonized (when bacteria are present, but not causing an infection) in the nose with staph. Sometimes, staph can cause an infection. Staph bacteria are one of the most common causes of skin infections in the United States. Most of these infections are minor (such as pimples & boils) and can be treated without antibiotics. However, staph also can cause serious infections (such as surgical wound infections, bloodstream infections, and pneumonia). Some staph bacteria are resistant to antibiotics. MRSA is a type of staph that is resistant to some antibiotics. While 25% to 30% of the population is colonized with staph, approximately 1% is colonized with MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).
 
Community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) are MRSA infections in persons who have not been recently (within the past year) hospitalized or had a medical procedure. Staph or MRSA infections in the community are usually manifested as skin infections, such as pimples and boils, and occur in otherwise healthy people.
 
The CDC has investigated clusters of CA-MRSA skin infections among athletes, military recruits, children, and other populations having close contact with each other or share communal facilities. Factors that have been associated with the spread of MRSA skin infections include: close skin-to-skin contact, openings in the skin such as cuts or abrasions, contaminated items and surfaces, crowded living conditions, and poor hygiene.
 
How can I prevent staph or MRSA skin infections?


Practice good hygiene:
Keep your hands clean by washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed.

Avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages.

Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or razors.

Shower immediately after activity.


How should I care for my wound when I do get one?

Clean the affected area immediately with an antiseptic, antimicrobial skin cleanser. One of the more widely used is hibiclens.

Apply an antibiotic ointment.

Cover the wound with a sterile dressing.

Change the dressing daily or multiple times daily as needed.

Keep the wound covered until it has healed.

Do not allow the area to scab over, as this will trap bacteria in the wound.


If you have any questions, ask one of our Certified Athletic Trainers by calling our 24/7 hotline, 864-675-HURT.



Event Photo of the Month

ankle

January | ClubSouth Volleyball at the Pavilion

If you are interested in having a St. Francis Sports Medicine trainer speak or be present at your athletic event, please send us an email.
 
Sincerely,
The St. Francis Sports Medicine Team