Expert sports injury advice from Dr J.

Sports physican Dr John Orchard works with the Sydney Roosters, the AFL and Cricket Australia. If you've got a question for the doc, don't hesitate to send it through here.

 

 

Q:I have been suffering from elbow and wrist pain. I’ve used steroids in the past. Could this be the problem? What should I do to relieve the pain?

- KH


A: I chuckled at your admission, as there are two types of steroids (anabolic and cortisone) and both may have been harmful! Anabolic steroids cause problems by making your muscles too big for the tendons and joints around them. Corticosteroids are prescribed by doctors and they shrink (rather than strengthen) tissue, which can sometimes give great pain relief, but can weaken tissue if overused. The good news is that most elbow and wrist pain comes from tendons, meaning it can generally be fixed, but you should visit a professional to get a diagnosis.

 

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Q: I’ve had osteitis pubis for eight years and I’ve been going to physio, but it still isn't much better. Could you recommend any exercises to overcome this injury?

- DS



A: Eight years is obviously very chronic. Hopefully as you get older and do less change-of-direction sports, the pain will diminish naturally. I presume you have already done many core-stabilising, gradual-strengthening exercises. If you can’t play sport and are desperate to get back, you could consider injections or even surgery. The major types of operations are adductor releases and conjoint tendon repairs, with both having moderate (but not 100 per cent) cure rates.

 

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Q: My right knee has been locking up causing pain down the back of my right leg. It goes away after warming up. Is this a hamstring or knee related injury and what can I do?

- AD

A: Almost all cases of knee “locking” (meaning the joint gets temporarily stuck at a certain angle) are due to cartilage problems inside the joint, as opposed to hamstring or calf strains. You may need to head in the direction of a knee surgeon to have the problem fixed. The good news is that in 2008 you’ll probably be given an X-ray or MRI scan prior to being offered surgery, which can identify the cause of the locking before you go under the knife.

 

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