Q: I am a cricketer and a middle-order batsman. I’m 33 years old. A few months back, while facing a fast bowler, the ball hit my right index finger. I was retired hurt and taken to a hospital, where X-ray results revealed a fracture. The doctor applied a bandage, and after three weeks the bandage was removed and I was back in the game. My problem is that it seems the fracture hasn’t healed, because the same unbearable pain reverts, while I bat. Please suggest me a sports injuries doctor who can help me to get rid of the pain. –Arif Butt

A: You were hit by a ball while playing cricket and you were hurt on the right index finger. The X-ray results suggest that there was a fracture however it was not clear which part of the finger actually had the fracture. However the commonest site is the bone near the finger tips and that normally takes about six weeks to heal when properly tested. It seems likely that the fracture has not had enough time to heal and hence it is painful I think what you need to do is to have a consultation and probably another X-ray test and that will decide the form of treatment.

It would probably be that you would need reduction of the fracture and fixation with a wire. That wire will stay in for about 6 week and will come out after that period and Insha Allah this should resolve the problem. One more important aspect is that you should get treatment sooner rather than later.

Dr. Shehab Afzal Beg

FRCS (UK), FRCS PLAST (UK), DIP PLAST (UK), CERT PLAST (UK), Fellow in Hand Surgery (UK)

Professor & Consultant | Department of Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery

Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi.

Q: I play basketball. I am 26 years. Lately I have developed a hamstring problem. The pain doesn't let me continue the game. Please advise the right treatment. --Marghoob Shaikh.

A: Hamstring injury is one of the most common soft tissue injuries in running sports.

This problem is multi factorial.

1) Lack of body warm up before start of play. 2) Excessive sweating due to humidity. 3) Dehydration, and most important, over exertion and fatigue during sporting activity.

Please always start with a warm-up of your body and keep yourself well hydrated with water and minerals. Also ensure that you avoid excessive stress while playing.

These tips will help you to avoid hamstring pulls or acute fatigue of any body part. They will enable you to be a better player and with fewer injuries.

If the problem persists please don’t ignore it and take advice from a Sports Injury Specialist Orthopedic Surgeon so you can be completely assessed and advised treatment to protect you from any permanent disability and injury.

Dr. Muhammad Kazim Rahim

MD, FCPS (Ortho) AO Fellow (Germany), Sports medicine Fellow (IRI) (France), Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Fellowship (PAS, Pak)

Assistant Professor & Consultant | Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi.

Q: I am 35 years. I have a fear for heights. Last year I went to Turkey, and at one of the beaches saw people paragliding. Just a look at them developed nausea. Interesting thing is that while travelling in a plane I never feel fear or nausea. Can you please help me to overcome this type of fear? –Kamil Malik.

A: Your condition is called specific phobia. The fear is recognised by the individual as excessive and unreasonable. The intense anxiety manifests in physical symptoms, in your case this is nausea. The nausea which some individuals experience while flying or sailing has a different cause.

This is a treatable condition. I recommend that you consult a psychiatrist. They will further evaluate your problem. The treatment involves medication to decrease anxiety and the physical manifestations. Long term treatment involves therapy which includes exposure to the specific object that you fear, beginning with the least anxiety provoking situations. Medications are used to treat the symptoms while working in the therapy

Dr. Ayesha M. Quraishy

Diplomate American Board of Psychiatry

Head of Department, Assistant Professor & Consultant | Department of Mental Health

Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi.

Q: I play football regularly. Lately, once the game or practice session is over, I start feeling severe pain in my body joints. The elbows, the knees, the ankles and the back. It remains there for eight to ten hours. What kind of complication is this? I am 36 years. Please help. Thank you. –Mehmood Qambarani

A: Football is a game in which there is a very high energy expenditure mostly during tackling and goal scoring. Joint and muscle soreness after such a tough workout is an expected part of a fitness routine. This soreness can remain for 24 to 48 hours after the activity and gradually dissipate in few days. Some measures like rest, icepacks, painkillers and massage may be helpful in treating this condition. Controlling body weight is a very important aspect to manage muscle and joint fatigue. Proper warm up and good hydration is recommended to prevent injury and post exercise pain and soreness. Overall fatigue is a natural phenomenon after sports and following these measures can help controlling post exercise symptoms of pain.

Dr. Muhammad Sufyan

FCPS (Ortho) AO Fellow (Germany), Sports Medicine Fellowship (Singapore)

Assistant Professor & Consultant | Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi.

All the specialists on our experts’ panel are associated with Liaquat National Hospital. Please send your queries at khalidhraj@gmail.com or
Anjum.Rizvi@lnh.edu.pk.)

– Khalid Hussain