Dr. Spyros Panos: Most common injuries in cage fighting

For this newest Dr. Spyros Panos blog, readers are informed about the different types of injuries that MMA fighters may suffer from.

Dr. Spyros Panos Image Credit: musculoskeletalmri.blogspot.com

Cage fighting or mixed martial arts (MMA) is a growing sport. With the emergence of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which viewership has increased significantly over the years, more and more athletes are being attracted to trying out MMA.

And with the increase of fighters willing to trade blows inside the cage with an opponent comes the increase in casualties from the different injuries associated with the sport.

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Ann Olson of Yahoo! Contributor Network lists some of the most common injuries for MMA fighters:

Dr. Spyros Panos Image Credit: yourmma.tv

1. Lacerations – Torn wounds are usually acquired by fighters from being hit repeatedly in the face.

 “Dr. Spyros Panos is an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in trauma surgery, sports medicine, and joint reconstruction.”

Olson gave a perfect example of this type of injury in citing UFC 131, wherein Shane Carwin was seen with a lacerated face after being beaten by Junior Dos Santos.

2. Upper extremity injuries – Olson describes these types of injuries as any damages incurred by upper body joints, bones, or muscles, such as sprains, fractures, or bone breaks.

3. Concussions – The head is not designed to be hit by repeated blows. Regularly being punched or kicked on the head may cause concussions, which might result to cognitive impairment.

To minimize the risks that MMA fighting presents, Olson advises athletes to know when to submit to a hold and to wear proper equipment.

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