William P. Garth, MD Orthopedic Surgeon and Medical Director	Marshall Crowther, MD Primary Care Sports Medicine

Here at UAB Sports Medicine, we understand that your physical well being
affects your quality of life and we want to be the one to make your quality of life
as high as possible. That is why now at UAB Sports Medicine we are giving you
the opportunity to be in contact with your doctor even when the clinic is not open.
By providing you with this new 24 hours, seven days a week service we feel that
our physicians will be able to better serve you. Please feel free to ask any of your
questions, just click here and one of our physicians will get back to you at
their earliest convenience.

  Frequently Asked Questions:

Question:	My son has torn his ACL, is scheduled for surgery in two weeks, and has been told by his surgeon that he will be out of soccer for at least 6 months, which means he will miss his entire senior high school season. Is there any possibility his recovery could be quicker than that, or is the risk of injury just too great if he starts bact too soon?                                                                                                    -Karen 10/23/2009
Answer:	Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears & Options for Treatment

Is it true that one treatment for shin splints is to step in alternating buckets of hot and ice cold water that is knee deep? If not, what is a good treatment for shin splints?
                                                                                                -Wayne 01/15/2010

Shin Splints are a common injury that occurs usually at the beginning of a season. There really isnt an exact way to cure shin splints.  Different methods work for different people.  The example you proposed is not a bad one to try.  I might also try getting some paper cups and filling them with water.  Then freeze them in the freezer.  You can then apply a topical analgesic cream on the affected area.  With this applied, you can take your homemade ice cup and rub the affected area by tearing the lip of the cup to expose the ice.  This will also allow you to hold the ice without freezing your hand.  Do this until all the ice melts. You can also wrap the affected area to keep that area warm during activity.  Rest is also recommended if that is feasible.  Maybe try staying off hard surfaces. If the pain continues to linger you might want to get an x-ray performed to make sure that there isn't a stress fracture.