It was reported that Antonio Brown of the Oakland Raiders was diagnosed with frostbite on his feet on Aug. 7 after receiving cryotherapy in late July. Cryotherapy is the process of exposing athletes to sub-freezing temperatures for two to three minutes with the rationale that it can help heal minor injuries. According to the report, Brown was not wearing the proper footwear to protect his feet from damage while in the cryochamber. This resulted in the freezing, swelling and blistering of the skin on his feet. The severity of the damage and the timeline for being able to practice and play are uncertain.
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Edwin Encarnación Wrist Fracture
Edwin Encarnación of the Dominican Republic and the New York Yankees was diagnosed with a fracture in his right wrist during a game against the Boston Red Sox on Aug. 3. A pitch by Josh Smith struck Encarnación’s wrist during the eighth inning of the game, which the Yankees won 9-2. It is unknown which bone specifically the pitch fractured in Encarnación’s wrist. Within the next seven to ten days, the team said Encarnación’s injury will be reassessed to determine the next steps for recovery. That indicates that it is unlikely to be the scaphoid or other major bone.
Kevin Kiermaier Thumb Sprain
Kevin Kiermaier, an American baseball player for the Tampa Bay Rays, sprained his left thumb on July 20 when he slid headfirst into first base while playing against the Chicago White Sox. He had an MRI, which–as we often discuss on this site–is not typical. Physical examination of the metacarpophalangeal joint usually provides sufficient information. MRI can be difficult to execute and interpret. The team indicated no surgery is needed, meaning the ligament is in a position that it can heal naturally. Kiermaier will return to play in a couple of weeks.