Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.

1. Should I put ice or heat on my chld's injury?
2. How do I stretch properly?
3. Are torn ligaments normal when you sprain a joint?
4. If you take your child to a physician or hospital, what should you get?
5. What are some simple ankle exercises you can do to get started?
6. TRUE OR FALSE "It can't be broken, because I can move it."
7. TRUE OR FALSE "If you have a foot or ankle injury, soak it in hot water immed
8. TRUE OR FALSE "The terms 'fracture,' 'break,' and 'crack' are all different.
9. If my son/daughter goes to the doctor for an injury, what is next?

Should I put ice or heat on my chld's injury?

If it is a new injury always use ice. If it hurts, use ice.  If the injury is 
3 days or more old, then maybe use heat, but only if it does not hurt.  Ice 
is for pain and swelling while heat is for achiness and stiffness. Your 
choice depends on how your child describes the discomfort.When you use either 
one apply for 20-30 minutes and then leave off for 30-60 minutes. Repeat 
often.

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How do I stretch properly?

Static stretching (assume and hold a position for 20-30 seconds) has value 
when performed several times a day. The body's connective tissue respond to 
several sessions even if they only last 2-3 minutes. Your child should 
stretch often BEFORE they even get to practice. The pre-practice  stretch 
should be after a 3-5 minute jogging period to warm the tissue. Warm tissues 
are more pliable. Remember each day we all get looser or tighter but we 
seldom stay the same. So are you 3 days looser or 3 days tighter right now?
For more information, click on "Warming Up" on the left panel of topics.

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Are torn ligaments normal when you sprain a joint?

YES�
  WHEN YOU �SPRAIN� ANY JOINT YOU HAVE OVERSTRETCHED AND TORN LIGAMENT 
FIBERS.  A FEW FIBERS IS A �MILD� SPRAIN, MORE MAKES IT �MODERATE� AND  
COMPLETE TEARING IS �SEVERE�.

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If you take your child to a physician or hospital, what should you get?

New Jersey state law requires that your child must be released back to the 
school in writing. You should obtain a note from the physician stating 
limitations, clearance, condition, duration etc. A note from a parent does 
NOT suffice after being seen by a physician.

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What are some simple ankle exercises you can do to get started?

AFTER THE INITIAL SYMPTOMS QUIET DOWN, YOU  MIGHT BE ABLE TO START TO MAKE 
THE ALPHABET WITH YOUR TOES AND DO HEEL CORD STRETCHES 4 TIMES A DAY

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TRUE OR FALSE "It can't be broken, because I can move it."

False: this widespread idea has kept many fractures from receiving proper 
treatment. The truth is that often you can walk with certain kinds of 
fractures. Some common examples: Breaks in the smaller, outer bone of the 
lower leg, small chip fractures of either the foot or ankle bones, and the 
often neglected fracture of the toe.

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TRUE OR FALSE "If you have a foot or ankle injury, soak it in hot water immed

False: don�t use heat or hot water on an area suspect for fracture, sprain, 
or dislocation. Heat promotes blood flow, causing greater swelling. More 
swelling means greater pressure on the nerves, which causes more pain. An ice 
bag wrapped in a towel has a contracting effect on blood vessels, produces a 
numbing sensation, and prevents swelling and pain.

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TRUE OR FALSE "The terms 'fracture,' 'break,' and 'crack' are all different.

False: all of those words are proper in describing a broken bone.

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If my son/daughter goes to the doctor for an injury, what is next?

If you take your child to a physician of any kind, you must obtain a WRITTEN 
explanation with timeframes, restrictions or clearances. Mr. Hossler needs to 
see the note and your child to complete necessary insurance forms. If the 
injury was not athletic participation related, there still needs to be a note 
given to Mr. Hossler but no school insurance forms are not necessary.

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