Summer brings a welcome uptick in outdoor activity, but with it comes a predictable rise in acute injuries. From weekend warriors overextending themselves on the pickleball court to casual hikers taking a misstep on a morning trail. Summer often means more foot traffic through your clinic for strains, sprains, and tendon-related issues.
Seasonal Trends: Expect More Acute Injuries
National data consistently shows a rise in musculoskeletal injuries during the summer months. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports hundreds of thousands of ER visits annually tied to warm-weather activities like biking, soccer, running, and racquet sports. Many of these injuries are non-emergent but require timely diagnosis and treatment, making your clinic a frontline of care.
Proactive Clinic Prep: Are You Ready for the Surge?
Here are a few ways clinics can prepare to meet the increase in demand for acute injury care:
- Ensure Adequate Staffing: Consider seasonal adjustments to scheduling or float staff to cover peak times, especially evenings and weekends.
- Stock Up on Supplies: Bracing, wraps, cold therapy packs, and other injury-related supplies may see increased turnover.
- Review Diagnostic Readiness: Make sure your team is trained and confident in efficiently assessing soft tissue injuries and ruling out red flags.
- Offer Recovery-Focused Modalities: . Leverage advanced treatment technologies that expedite patient recovery from muscle sprains, strains, contusions, and tendon injuries. Modalities such as MLS® Laser Therapy can offer a time-efficient solution for patients looking to get back to their favorite activities quickly.
- Streamline Referrals: Have a clear protocol for referring patients to physical therapy or other specialists when needed.
Prevention Starts with Education
Sharing simple, high-impact prevention tips can help patients avoid injury altogether.
- Encourage a Warm-Up Routine: Dynamic stretching and gradual progression can reduce the risk of strain or overuse.
- Stress the Importance of Proper Footwear: This is especially important for runners, hikers, and court-sport athletes.
- Promote Active Recovery: Remind patients to listen to their bodies and incorporate rest days into their routines.
- Share Info Proactively: Consider a summer patient email or waiting room handout highlighting prevention strategies and what to do if an injury occurs.
Summertime injuries are inevitable, but with the right preparation, your practice can deliver faster recoveries, better outcomes, and fewer disruptions to your patients’ active lives.
